Wildlife:

Key terms:

• triage: Prioritizing causalities by severity when resources are not enough for all. or when referring to a single animal that has been brought in, the decision to release, treat or euthanise.

• Shock: A serious condition where the circulatory system fails to deliver enough blood to the body tissues, so organs begin to shut down. it can follow blood loss, severe injury or extreme stress.

• Zoonosis: A disease that can transmit between animals and people.

• Euthanasia: A humane death chosen by a vet when recovery and release are not possible.

• Finder: The member of the public who find an animal. They may capture the animal if safe to do so, or otherwise contact an appropriate rescue or vet service.

• Rehabilitator: Provides safe care and husbandry, records observations and follows vet direction.

• Vet surgeon: makes the diagnosis, prescribes treatment and carries out or authorises euthanasia.

Physical signs:

• heavy, fast or noisy breathing

• collapse

• bleeding, wounds or usual discharge

• loss of fur/feathers

• faeces, urine or blood in the carrier

• presence of parasites e.g. ticks

• sneezing, coughing, vomiting

• limping

• unusual posture

• inability to move/fly

• wings held abnormally

• signs of dehydration

• Temperature shows whether the animal is too cold or too hot. measure safely with suitable equipment.

• pulse shows how fast the heart is beating and may indicate pain, fear or shock.

• respiration: count breaths and note effort, noises and whether breathing is heavy or shallow.

Poor prognostic indicators:

• Emaciation: suggests the animal has been unable to feed for some time, which often points to underlying diseases or injury.

• heavy ectoparasite burden: may indicate reduced mobility, immune suppression, and/or that the animal is unable to groom or preen itself.

• Fractures: Especially if the fracture is open or close to a joint.