Encounters with wildlife casualties are increasingly commonplace in veterinary practice. Whether these are due to natural disasters or man-made problems, there is a duty of care for the welfare of that animal. Initial assessment and triage are essential in the wildlife casualty case to enable decisions on treatment and rehabilitation methods to be made. These processes often involve a chain of veterinary personnel working closely with local or more specialized rehabilitators to facilitate the recuperation and eventual release back to the wild of the patient. Knowledge of the animal’s unique biology, physiology and natural history is essential so that educated decisions can be made as to the best course of action. Difficult decisions may have to be made and these circumstances are covered in the text, with examples of cases where euthanasia may be indicated on welfare grounds.
The contributing authors have an enormous range of practical experience in their subject and this has resulted in a comprehensive and easy-to-use reference text. Common conditions seen in wildlife species in a range of different countries are covered, with cases from Europe, North America, the Middle East and Australia. It is obviously not possible to cover all species or conditions encountered, but we hope that the selection of cases presented covers sufficient common scenarios to have direct or indirect relevance to most readers. The book will appeal to veterinary professionals in general practice worldwide as a general reference text, and also for those working more directly with wildlife who wish to study this field in greater depth.