Conference Booklet - New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

PROGRAM ABSTRACTS/DESCRIPTION
SPECIAL SESSION FOR VETERINARIANS ONLY
SUNDAY
15
New York Wildlife Health Program - Dr. Elizabeth Bunting/Patrick Martin
DEC's New York State Wildlife Health Program is a partnership with Cornell University College of
Veterinary Medicine Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC). The goal of the program is to identify and
monitor both infectious and non-infectious diseases in wildlife populations, to put that information to use in
making sound management decisions, and to intervene when necessary to ensure that New York has
sustainable, robust and diverse wildlife populations for the future. This session will include a discussion of
interesting cases, new and emerging diseases in New York, disease surveillance strategies, program
initiatives, and research projects.
There’s a WHAT in the Waiting Room!? Practical Guidance for Safely Stabilizing and Holding the
Wildlife That May Wander Into Your Office With Your Clients - Dr. Karen Dashfield
As a veterinarian you never know what you are going to find in your waiting room, and the frequency of
requests to assist with wildlife is on the rise. We will quickly review the legal issues involved with handling
wildlife, accurate identification, triage and stabilization techniques that will allow you to provide an
invaluable public service while being sure to “do no harm.”
Antibiotic and Analgesic Therapy in Small Mammals - Dr. James Carpenter
Pharmacokinetic studies in wild small mammals are lacking and, therefore, most of the dosages used in these
species are based on extrapolation from domestic mammals (and, rarely, from exotic small mammals),
empirical data, observations, and experience. Because drug uptake depends on factors such as age, sex,
physiology, disease state, diet, etc., it is important for us as wildlife veterinarians to know some of the
pharmacobiologic, physiologic, and anatomic characteristics of these species. It should also be noted that
almost all of the drugs used in wild small mammals are extralabel. This review outlines drug administration
sites, compounding, and some of the issues involved in selecting an antibiotic and analgesic agent (including
nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs; NSAIDs) for use in wild small mammals. It should be especially
noted that in recent years wildlife veterinarians have become very proactive in providing pain management
for their wildlife patients because we have learned that analgesics (including NSAIDs) reduce post-trauma/
postsurgical/chronic pain, reduce stress and promote healing, and result in smoother postsurgical recoveries
and a more rapid return to normal behavior.
How to Maximize Your Clinic for the Care of Wildlife - Dr. Laura Wade
So you really want to help that injured rabbit that your client drops off, but don't know how you can find the
time in your busy day? Or maybe you enjoyed handfeeding baby robins in vet school but you don't know
how you can keep your hospital from turning into a nestling nursery during the spring? Dr. Wade will share
some of her experiences with working with wildlife successfully in a busy hospital and give you some tips on
how you can do it too!
Lead Toxicity in Raptors - Dr. Jeff Baier
Lead toxicity is an increasingly recognized problem in raptors.This lecture will cover the approach utilized to
diagnose and treat this problem at the Birds of Prey Foundation in Broomfield, CO. This discussion will
cover the species affected, methods of diagnosis and methods of treatment utilized in the treatment of lead
toxicity.
Triaging Head Trauma - Dr. Renee Schott
Head and spinal trauma are a common finding in injured wildlife. Many cases can be triaged on admission
and the prognosis decided quickly. In a case-based format, the lecture will cover how to quickly and
effectively triage the head and spinal trauma patient so that a prognosis can be determined on admission.
Case Study: Surgical Repair of a Degloved Scalp in a Red-Tailed Hawk - Dr. Laura Wade/Dr. Evan
Reed
A red tailed hawk was presented with a degloving injury over the entire dorsal surface of the head. Initial
attempts to allow for granulation and healing by second intention were unsuccessful. Therefore, a skin flap
transposition surgery was performed to cover the defect. This lecture will discuss the treatment, surgical
procedure and aftercare of the red-tailed hawk prior to full healing and release.
Common Diseases and Injuries of North American Songbirds - Dr. Erica Miller
This presentation addresses illnesses and injuries for which North American passerines are commonly
presented to a wildlife rehabilitation facility. The information provides a quick reference for information
regarding the cause, transmission, diagnosis and treatment of these more commonly encountered diseases
(and parasites), including those that are zoonotic. Sample cases are also presented in this overview, and
references for additional information are provided.