 Working With Wildlife by Dr. Jane Owel   |
"Will You See Wildlife?" I had only been at Mt. Vernon Animal Hospital a short time when the first request came: "Will you see wildlife?" I said yes, but warned that I didn't know much about the special dosing required by many species. In school, I seldom had the opportunity to work with wildlife. That first request was nearly 11 years ago, and since then my ability to care for injured and orphaned wild animals has greatly improved.  It's a tricky business, dosing animals that weigh as little as 5-10 grams. There are few published doses for squirrels or possums, so initially I used doses for hamsters and gerbils, extrapolating to the other small mammals that I see. (I do very little work with birds, due to my lack of training with them. The small mammals are challenging enough!) |
A Great Partner I credit much of the success that I have had with wildlife to the work of one licensed rehabilitator in particular, Barbara Prescott. She happened into in the rehabber business when her daughter brought home animals from her job at a veterinary hospital. Barbara began helping out and the rest is history, as they say.  | |
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From the beginning, Barbara had a natural affinity for this work. Her ability to handle many of the cases by herself has enabled me to see more wildlife and has encouraged me to teach her more advanced techniques, such as giving subcutaneous fluids. |
The first problem injured or orphaned wild animals might face is dehydration. By giving fluids quickly, many lives are saved. Barbara excels at assessing dehydration and also using fluids to compensate for diarrhea, an unfortunate side effect of some of the formulas or antimicrobials we must use. Her history as a pediatric nurse means that she's more than capable of changing bandages, giving injections, and handling wounds (not to mention maggots!). I look forward to seeing the cases Barbara brings to me, as they are invariably the most challenging. Our work together in healing wild animals has been fortunate. I think we make a great team. |
 Victims of Development I work with several other rehabbers who also do wonderful work, helping to save the little creatures who are often casualties of civilization. The cases we see are likely to be victims of dogs or cats, or may have been hit by cars, or injured by tree services; or they might be orphaned when their mother is similarly killed. Sometimes they have simply fallen out of the nest. Relatively few have infectious diseases. | |
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 Living In Harmony First, be aware that wild animals lived in your neighborhood before you did! They have a right to be there, too. Don't panic and call an exterminator if you see wild animals making a home near or in your home, eating out of your bird feeder, chewing on your garden plants or getting into your trash. There are ways to deal with the problem that don't involve killing the animal, or stressing it half to death in the process of moving it. |
 Make sure your trash cans are firmly covered. Raccoons especially will get into them and forage. Inspect your home for any holes that small animals could use to get into your attic or basement, then seal them up. You can use a small amount of cayenne pepper in your birdseed to discourage squirrels (it won't harm the birds) and also sprinkle it near young plants to keep them from being chewed. |
How can you help? If you see an animal that is acting strangely, watch it closely. Use extreme caution when approaching a wild animal, no matter how docile it seems. Use a blanket or towel to pick it up or scoop it into a box for transport.  And don't hesitate to ask for advice from us or the Wildlife Hotline (703-440-0800) before you get into a dangerous situation. Then take the animal to someone who can help. It is against the law to keep a wild animal for any reason if you are not licensed to do so. They do not make appropriate pets!! | |
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Call us at Mt. Vernon Animal Hospital (703-360-6600) or call the Wildlife Hotline to get the animal to a rehabber as soon as possible. Be especially careful with Rabies vectors (raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats). Do not handle these animals without consulting someone first. |
Do You Have What It Takes? If you have the time and an interest in wildlife, perhaps you would like to become one of these wildlife superheroes, a licensed rehabilitator. The Wildlife Rescue League (703-440-0800) provides classes that can start you on your way. It's a rewarding feeling to give something back to these little creatures, I can attest to that. 
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I have had fascinating experiences working with a variety of animals: deer, squirrels, opossums, foxes, and everything in between. I would not trade these experiences for anything. It's been challenging, frustrating, heartbreaking, hilarious and fun. I look forward to working with many more wild animals in the years ahead. Return to Top Home All About Us Services Newsletter News and Updates Patient Gallery Wildlife Gallery Petlover's Library Links Contact Us  | |