Animal welfare implications of treating wildlife in Australian veterinary practices

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the extent, costs, demands and expectations of Australian veterinary practices in the treatment of wildlife, to identify potential risks to animal welfare based on the current situation and to propose recommendations for improvements.MethodsA survey was sent to all veterinary practices across Australia identified through the website Yellow Pages®. The survey was designed as a cross‐sectional study. Data were collected using an online self‐completed questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS 19.0.ResultsOf the 902 veterinary practices contacted, 132 (14.6%) completed the questionnaire. Most practices (82%) saw less than 10 wildlife patients per week, with birds and marsupials most commonly admitted. Vehicular trauma, trauma (other) and predation made up the majority (82%) of presentations. However, wildlife cases were only examined immediately upon presentation in 20% of practices, with 74% reporting they only attended to wildlife whenever they had spare time. The majority (90%) of veterinary practices never or rarely received reimbursement for their wildlife work, indicating most is performed pro bono. Several barriers to treatment were highlighted, including time and a lack of knowledge/skills.ConclusionPrivate veterinary practices play a more significant role in wildlife treatment than has been previously thought. The effect of perceived barriers on willingness to treat wildlife requires further research. Further investigation into educational resources to aid veterinary assessment of wildlife should also be considered.

Trends in wildlife rehabilitation rescues and animal fate across a six-year period in New South Wales, Australia

“…The annual average is a 41% increase on the 45,000 animals reported by the last study that collated rescue numbers in New South Wales across all animal groups [49]. In our study, a relatively high proportion of rescues were of birds (53.4% of all rescues), and similar results have been reported previously for rehabilitators [49] and in private veterinary hospitals [6,50].…”

In this issue – December 2018: Pro bono wildlife work in Australian veterinary practices · Roaming owned dogs in Northern Australia · Snake stomach recovers after gastrectomy · Metronidazole‐induced neurotoxicity in 26 dogs · Lomustine ineffective for haemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma · Surgical swabs and dehorning wounds

“…An online survey of 132 veterinary practices across Australia shows that wildlife work is overwhelmingly done on a pro bono basis and also shows a much higher wildlife caseload than previously thought. 1 Most respondents either never or rarely received reimbursement of any of the wildlife treatment undertaken and the authors extrapolate the extraordinary cost of these treatments to be approximately A$111,000 by private veterinary practices in this study. Most cases seen were birds, followed by marsupials, and trauma was the most common reason for presentation.…”

Hypertrophic osteopathy in South Australian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with concurrent pulmonary actinomycosis

“…Diagnostic work‐up and treatment of wildlife by private veterinary practices are often largely absorbed by the practice, and paying clients may take priority over wildlife cases. One survey of Australian veterinarians identified a lack of time and/or lack of knowledge and skills as the biggest barriers to appropriate treatment of wildlife 31 . Koalas are frequently victims of motor vehicle strike or dog attack 28,32 and, in the Adelaide region, renal failure due to oxalate nephrosis; 28,33 therefore, primary focus can be concentrated on these common morbidities.…”

“…One survey of Australian veterinarians identified a lack of time and/or lack of knowledge and skills as the biggest barriers to appropriate treatment of wildlife. 31 Koalas are frequently victims of motor vehicle strike or dog attack 28,32 and, in the Adelaide region, renal failure due to oxalate nephrosis; 28,33 therefore, primary focus can be concentrated on these common morbidities. During necropsy, long bones might not be routinely examined, so it is possible that historic cases of HO in koalas have gone undiagnosed.…”