Exotic Animal Formulary5

provide basic stabilizing care to injured or orphaned wildlife. The veterinarian is strongly
encouraged to transfer these animals to or consult with experienced wildlife veterinarians
or wildlife rehabilitators as soon as possible. In addition, any individual working with
wildlife should check with state and federal officials on permit requirements. In the event
of bites inflicted by rabies vector species or wild mammals showing neurologic signs to
persons or domestic pets, the local health department should be contacted regarding
appropriate rabies prevention procedures.
A. Regulations and reporting
a. Permits: check with state and federal officials on laws and permit requirements for
hospitalizing wildlife; if you do not have permits, stabilize the animal and transport it
to a permitted facility as soon as possible.
b. Species reporting: check with state wildlife officials for a list of reportable endangered,
threatened, or listed species; these may vary from state to state.
c. Illegal activity: report injuries caused by illegal activities such as gunshot wounds to
nongame species to local, state, or federal wildlife authorities.
d. Reportable diseases: reportable or foreign animal diseases diagnosed in wildlife should
be reported to the USDA-APHIS Area veterinarian-in-charge
(https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/contact-us).
e. Banded birds: band numbers on federally banded birds should be reported to the US
Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory (http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/).
f. Advise the public not to approach rabies vector species and to contact local authorities
instead. In addition, bats should never be handled bare handed. If a rescuer has
handled a rabies vector species, report any potential rabies exposure (bite or contact
with saliva through broken skin or mucous membranes) to the local health
department.
B. Patient background
a. Is the “orphan” truly an orphan? If not, return to nest or site found because natural
parents provide the best care. Human scent will not cause rejection of the young by the
mother.
i. Fledgling birds normally spend time on the ground before gaining full flight ability.
The parents will continue to feed and guard the fledgling.
ii. Adult rabbits and deer normally leave their young unattended for much of the day.
Parents will return to the site where offspring were left to reunite, often hours later.
Check for a “milk line” in young rabbits to determine if they were recently fed.
b. Get precise information. When was animal found? Exact location? Circumstances? Has
any medical or supportive care been provided?
c. The rescue location of many turtle species is particularly important as they have high
site fidelity.
d. Obtain rescuer’s name, address, and phone number in case further details are required.
C. Initial patient triage
a. What is medically wrong with the animal? Can it be treated, survive the rehabilitation
period (sometimes months), and be released or placed into an education program?
Check with experienced wildlife veterinarians if unsure. Unfortunately, euthanasia is
often required.
b. Address life-threatening problems first. ABC: Check that the airway is clear, the animal
is breathing, and cardiac beat and pulse are present. Provide cardiopulmonary
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