Treat emergencies as you would for a human, always being sure to adapt the treatment to fit the animals and the situation. Do not try to fix anything; only maintain the animal while getting it to a wildlife rehabilitator or a veterinarian. Above all else: DO NO HARM! It is against the law for anyone to be in possession of wildlife without the proper licensing. It is acceptable to transport the injured animal to a rehabilitator or veterinarian and they are allowed to treat all wildlife on an emergency basis. You may call URBAN WILDLIFE RESCUE; we have three licensed rehabilitators on staff, or call the COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE (CDOW) for the name of a rehabilitator in your area. Safe Handling General Information and First Aid Wildlife Infants Orphaned Babies Adolescents and Adults An overview of other emergency care and treatment of various injuries Shock Dehydration Open Wounds Hit by Car Broken Bones Spinal Injury Gun Shot Wounds Head Trauma Internal Bleeding Cat Attack Dog Attack Drowning Disease Burns Hyperthermia (Heat Stroke) Poisoning Emaciation Upper Respiratory Infection Abscess External Parasites Internal Parasites Imprints Resource for Finding a Rehabilitator SAFE HANDLING       [top] When evaluating a wildlife situation, the hands-on techniques will depend on whether the animal is an infant, adolescent, or adult. Some general rules are: 1. Stay calm! 2. Speak in soft, low tones. Loud, high pitched sounds are often a warning of danger in many of the wildlife species. 3. When approaching an animal, walk quietly and slowly. 4. Never tower over an animal while it is exposed, that will add to their stress level and can make them behave in a defensive manner. 5. Keep the animal covered while contained. Animals tend to think that if they can't see you then you can't see them and they feel more secure. 6. Avoid direct eye-to-eye contact. This can be perceived as a threat or a challenge. 7. Keep soft cloth over their face when handling as much as possible. This will help them feel protected and increase their comfort level. 8. When handling the animal, move slowly and quietly. 9. Keep the animal in a quiet, dark environment. 10. Always keep pets and humans away from them. Adolescents may already have a self-surviving instinct. They are usually terrified at this age. Wild animals are rarely aggressive but often defensive. At the same time, as they adjust to their new surroundings and to you handling them, they often become more manageable. Handle the adolescent firmly and with confidence. They will be quick to pick up on fear and may be more difficult to handle. Tips and techniques for handling adolescents: 1. Stay calm! 2. Use a towel placed over their whole body, before picking them up. Hold them securely and provide support for their body. 3. Scruff them, much as you would a cat. Prolonged dangling will add to their stress level and perhaps cause an injury if they struggle, be sure to provide support for their body. 4. Use a small net to secure and immobilize. Adults will probably be making defensive vocalizations and threats. They are usually terrified. Handle with caution but firmly. The more you do for the adult to relieve their stress, the safer you, as the handler, will be. Tips for handling adults: 1. Stay calm! 2. Take an extra second to assess the situation. You can almost always find a way to eliminate or minimize a confrontation with the animal and still secure them. 3. Use a net, the size will depend on the size of the animal. 4. Use a catch pole, but only as a last resort as it puts the animal in the position of defending itself. Never use the catch pole around the neck alone, this can create damage to the throat area. Catch the neck and one shoulder together to secure. 5. Heavy towels or blankets can help you secure the animal. 6. Keep the animal's face covered as much as possible with thick towels. This will reduce its stress and help to protect the handler. 7. Wear thick gloves. REMEMBER:  Every animal will undergo some degree of stress. Period! Following the above strategy will greatly reduce the stress. Get the animal to a rehabilitator as quickly as possible. GENERAL INFORMATION AND FIRST AID USE CAUTION! Injured animals can be more defensive than normal. Everything that you do to relieve the stress of the animal will help to protect the handler. Be sure to wash your hands after handling each animal. The main medical problems you will encounter: hypothermia dehydration emaciation head traumas spinal injuries upper respiratory infections broken bones abscesses distemper imprints infection from injuries orphaned improper diet parasites, such as fleas, ticks, mites, and maggots shot with BB's or darts diarrhea leg hold or snare injuries cut by fans, both home and car gassed water stressed WILDLIFE INFANTS       [top] Wildlife babies occur most frequently in the spring. Fox squirrels also give birth in the fall. Some animals, such as rabbits, give birth year round. There are several different species where you might find, or receive a call on a baby that is alone, but is not in danger. While it may appear abandoned, it is not. Here are some examples: FAWNS - Mother will hide her baby while she is foraging. The young are taught to lie very still in the deep grass until she returns. SQUIRRELS - These little ones may fall out of the nest. Mom will pick them up with her teeth and take them back to the nest, if given the opportunity. RACCOONS - Sometimes, mother will hide each baby in a different area while she forages. This is to protect the family. If a predator comes along, it will only get one baby as opposed to all of them. RABBITS - Mother feeds them twice a day, the babies are often left in the form (depression in the grass) while she eats. Baby rabbits are on their own at about three weeks and at that age they are still very small, but do not need rehabilitation. BIRDS - Young birds, that are feathered, may be in the process of learning to fly. They may be on the ground, fluttering and flapping their wings. Mom will coax them up into a bush or other cover, to protect them, during this learning process. Under most circumstances, leave all babies alone, unless you know for a fact that mom has been killed, the baby is injured, or there is a predator after them. No matter what the species, give mom a chance to come and get her little ones. ORPHANED BABIES       [top] They will probably be dehydrated, in shock and very cold. If the baby is truly abandoned, it needs to be kept as warm as possible. They need to be placed into a solid container with ventilation, covered and put under your car heater, or whatever is available to provide warmth. Never put babies in a wire cage or trap, always use carriers or cardboard boxes. Also, you can use sheets, blankets, towels or coats and hold them. Providing warmth, fluids, and isolation will help alleviate any shock. Do not attempt to feed them. This applies to all species and ages. Food can increase dehydration and cause additional problems due to a possible limited swallowing reflex. Handle as gently as possible. At the first touch, you can feel if there's sufficient warmth to the body, or if the baby is slightly chilled or death cold. You want to warm the animal as quickly as possible but not so quickly as to throw the body into further shock. Babies are unable to maintain their own body heat. Keep the baby in a quiet environment and keep covered. If there is no threatening injury, you can gently rub the body to increase circulation and generate heat. Apply warmth by one or more of the means mentioned below under heat sources. Stay calm with the babies. All wild animals are good at sensing nervousness, fear and hysteria. They can react with added stress, shock or defensiveness. ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS       [top] An animal can be manageable if they are lethargic. This is when you can use the hot water bottle, surgical gloves or old plastic fluid bags, in addition to the heating pad set on low and a heat lamp. Remove once warmed and rely on the pad and light alone. If lively and defensive, use the heating pad on low and a heat lamp from the top. Make sure all cords are out of reach of the animal. Heat sources Hot water bottles Surgical gloves filled with warm water and tied securely. Old, plastic fluid container warmed in the microwave. Heating pad placed under the housing, set on low. Anything that will help the animal hold or regain their body heat. NOTE: With all of the above, be careful not to burn the animal and keep a close eye on neonates so that they don't suffocate in the plastic. If you are in the field and need to administer warmth, here are some ideas: Use blankets Solar exposure Car heater Body warmth (yours if feasible) Microwave popcorn freshly cooked and hot. Pre-warmed hot water bottle or plastic fluid bags. Anything that will help the animal hold or regain their own body heat. An overview of other emergency care and treatment of various injuries: SHOCK       [top] Shock occurs for many reasons, stress and injury being the most common. Symptoms Lethargic Glassy stare Disoriented Semi-comatose or comatose Low body temperature Rapid pulse and respiration Slow, irregular breathing Pale gums Treatment Provide warmth Keep in dark, quiet environment Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. DEHYDRATION       [top] The typical or most common way to test for dehydration is the "pinch" test. You pick up the skin along the back of the neck or the main body with your thumb and first finger and gently pinch. How long it takes the skin to return to normal will give you some indication of the level of dehydration. But, this is not always accurate. Newborn squirrels and bats have loose, wrinkled skin. Their skin stands up almost anytime it's pinched. Another way of checking for dehydration is to examine the eyes. They can be sunken and dry appearing. Also, the nose can be dry and cracked. This treatment is not advised for birds. Symptoms Loss of skin elasticity when you pinch the skin; it stays pinched longer than normal. Sunken, dry eyes Dry gums Dry, cracked nose Lethargic Treatment Fluids Treat for shock Provide warmth Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. OPEN WOUNDS       [top] Symptoms Fairly obvious Visible lacerations External bleeding Treatment Apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or gauze to stop any bleeding. Elevate the injured area, if possible. Always try to keep the heart lower than the wound. Shave hair around the wound with a clipper. Don't use scissors, as you may cut the skin. Clean with a mixture of 10% betadine and 90% water. Keep the animal in clean housing with clean cloth bedding. Treat for shock Warm the animal Administer fluids Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. HIT BY CAR       [top] Symptoms Range from being stunned to death Broken bones Head trauma Internal injuries Abrasions Road rashes Oil and/or dirt on the body Treatment Keep the animal on a stiff, secure surface. Try not to pick the animal up, in fact, move it as little as possible. Using a flashlight, check the pupils of the eyes for dilation. Clean abrasions and road rashes with a10% betadine and 90% water solution. Warm the animal Treat for shock Administer fluids Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately BROKEN BONES       [top] Symptoms Fairly obvious Limb bent unnaturally Limping or not using limb Exposed bone or fragment Treatment Do no harm! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SET THE BROKEN BONE! Move the animal as little as possible. If you need to handle, don't put any pressure on the break. If compound fractured, stop the bleeding Treat for shock Warm the animal Administer fluids Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. SPINAL INJURY       [top] Symptoms Paralysis of body, particularly the hind legs Loss of bowel and urine control No reaction to deep pain Lethargic Glazed eyes Shock Dehydration Increased parasites from immobility Treatment Keep the animal on a stiff, secure surface. Try not to pick the animal up at all. Move the animal as little as possible. If you need to handle, don't put any pressure on the back. Using forceps, finger nails, etc., pinch all foot pads and the tail to check for a response to pain. Treat for shock Warm the animal Administer fluids Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. GUN SHOT WOUNDS       [top] Symptoms Can be obvious Small, round hole Small entry wound, large exit wound Treatment Apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or gauze to stop the bleeding. Elevate the injured area, if possible. Always try to keep the heart lower than the wound. Keep the animal in clean housing with clean cloth bedding. Warm the animal Treat for shock Administer fluids Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. HEAD TRAUMA       [top] This is a very common injury. Symptoms Circumstances such as being found on the road, hit by a car, etc. Different sized pupils or pupils not reacting to light Equilibrium is off Bleeding from the ears, nose and/or mouth Lethargic Dazed Treatment Move the animal as little as possible. Using a flashlight, check the pupils of the eyes for dilation. Treat for shock Warm the animal Administer fluids Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. INTERNAL BLEEDING       [top] Symptoms Bruising Pale gums Lethargic Treatment Elevate the injured area, if possible. Always try to keep the heart lower than the injured area. Treat for shock Warm the animal Administer fluids Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. CAT ATTACK       [top] Small animals that have been attacked by cats are very difficult to save due to the bacteria in a cat's mouth and the resulting infection. Symptoms History from rescuer Small puncture wounds Bleeding High fever Lethargic Shock Treatment Keep the animal in clean housing with clean cloth bedding. Clean the area with a mixture of 10% betadine and 90% water. Treat for shock Warm the animal Administer fluids Aggressive antibiotic treatment is needed as soon as possible. Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. DOG ATTACK       [top] Symptoms History from rescuer Internal injuries, bruising Broken bones Spinal injury Contusions Paralysis of body Puncture wounds Rips in the body Bleeding Fur wet or dried in clumps, from saliva Shock Lethargic Treatment Keep the animal in clean housing with clean cloth bedding. Clean any wounds with a mixture of 10% betadine and 90% water. Warm the animal Treat for shock Administer fluids Antibiotic treatment may be needed. Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. DROWNING       [top] Symptoms History from rescuer Difficulty breathing Fluid in the lungs Gray gums Hypothermia Wet Shock Lethargic Treatment Lay the animal on its side and with your hands, push in and up in the rib cage area to force the water out. Do not push so hard as to break bones. If not too late, the animal should start gasping for breath and throwing up the water. Begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If the animal's face is too large for your mouth to fit over both nose and mouth, then gently pull the tongue forward and close the animal's mouth. Blow in the nose gently and steadily for the count of three, pulling away each time to allow air to escape. Watch the body for rising in the chest area as it fills with air. Keep in mind the size of the animal and its lungs when doing this. Heart massage may be needed Treat for shock Warm the animal Administer fluids Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. DISEASE       [top] If the animal appears sick, it could be carrying something that is transferable to humans. Make as little direct contact with the animal as possible and bring it to a rehabilitator as soon as possible. Be very cautious in your approach and your handling of sick wildlife. You do not want to expose yourself, or other animals in your care, to possible contamination from Zoonoses. The most common is distemper. Symptoms may vary Fever Lethargic Discharge from eyes Mucus discharge from nose Swollen foot pads Seems imprinted or friendly Seizures Emaciated Increased parasites No appetite No interest in water Diarrhea Vomiting Sneezing Coughing Treatment Warm the animal Treat for shock Administer fluids Aggressive antibiotic treatment may be needed. Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. BURNS       [top] Burns become infected very easily. Symptoms Fairly obvious History from the rescuer Singed fur Burned smell Black, crusty skin Skin peeling or falling off Treatment Keep the animal in clean housing with clean cloth bedding. Keep the animal's environment exceptionally clean. Do not cover the burned area. Do not let the animal become chilled. Treat for shock Administer fluids Aggressive antibiotic treatment may be needed. Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. HYPERTHERMIA (HEAT STROKE)       [top] Symptoms may vary Body temperature above normal Weakness Muscle tremors Collapsed and comatose Lethargic Vomiting Rapid pulse Reddened mouth and nasal tissue Deep rapid breathing Treatment Try to get water into the animal right away unless unconscious. Use Lactated Ringers with 2.5% Dextrose Or, if unavailable, use a re-hydration solution of: 1 quart water, 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon salt Or, use Gatorade or Powerade Rub cool, wet towels over the body to lower the body temperature. Immerse in tepid water Do not allow the animal to chill Treat for shock Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. POISONING       [top] Symptoms Abnormal behavior Convulsions/seizures Bleeding from orifices Bruising on skin Appears drunk in early stages of antifreeze, then renal failure such as vomiting, diarrhea, urine breath, anorexia, and dehydration. Treatment Call your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately, most animals are found too late to be saved. EMACIATION       [top] Symptoms Fairly obvious Bones protruding Lack of luster to the fur Glazed eyes Weak Lethargic Treatment Stabilize first Treat for shock Warm the animal Administer fluids Feed small amounts of food frequently Provide well balanced, nutritional foods suitable for the species in question, such as commercially prepared foods, fruits and vegetables, breads, eggs, and cottage cheese. Supplement with Nutra-Cal or other effective, high caloric vitamins. Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION       [top] Symptoms Labored breathing Mucus discharge from the nose Sneezing Coughing Lethargic Fever Treatment Listen to the lungs for fluid Use a humidifier to ease congestion Treat for shock Warm the animal Administer fluids Aggressive antibiotic treatment may be needed. Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. ABSCESS       [top] Symptoms Swollen, large lump Area hot Draining, infected area Fever Treatment Apply hot pack to the abscess Treat for shock Warm the animal, unless fever is present Administer fluids Aggressive antibiotic treatment may be needed. If abscess bursts Clip or shave the area of the abscess Clean surface with mixture of 10% betadine and 90% water. Keep open and draining Use petroleum jelly, spread lightly on the area to keep open Must heal from the inside out May need antibiotics Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. EXTERNAL PARASITES       [top] Symptoms Fairly obvious Can see bugs on the fur or the skin Loss of hair Crusty, flaky skin Small bite marks on the skin Excessive itching Treatment Fleas and mites: Spray Pyrethrins on a cloth, then rub the animal with the cloth, if possible. If not, then spray directly on the fur of the animal. Prevent the spray from going into the eyes and don't allow the animal to chill afterwards. Ticks: Using your fingers or a pair of forceps, grab the tick at the tip of its head, where the pinchers are entering the body and pull it out. Check the area for pinchers still imbedded in the flesh. Clean the area with a mixture of 10% betadine and 90% water. Observe the area for swelling and infection. Observe the animal's overall health. Maggots: Will need to be picked off individually with tweezers or forceps Shave the area if mass infestation, make sure the animal does not chill. Use Pyrethrins, sprayed on cloth and rub on the fur, if eggs are present. Check every two days for additional maggots and remove. Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian immediately. INTERNAL PARASITES       [top] Symptoms Diarrhea Hard, distended abdomen Poor health Lethargic Vomiting Treatment Feces need to be tested to identify the parasite. Accepted procedure is to worm all carnivores once they have reached the appropriate age, or on arrival. I worm at two week intervals, for six weeks, for a total of three applications. Contact your rehabilitator or veterinarian. IMPRINTS       [top] Symptoms Fairly obvious Comfortable with humans Wants to be held Constant crying if left alone Often in poor health from inappropriate diet Treatment Prepare to transfer the animal to someone with appropriate, isolated caging and experience in this area. RESOURCE FOR FINDING A REHABILITATOR

CDOW Kathy Konishi (719) 268-0143