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Research article2024Peer reviewedOpen access

Common Causes for Veterinary Visits among Australian Wildlife

Gardeback, Agnes; Joang, Maja; Andersson, Maria

Abstract

Simple Summary Australian wildlife is often harmed by human activities. Veterinary hospitals play a crucial role in caring for individual animals and contribute to the protection of vulnerable species and increased animal welfare. This study investigated the wildlife patients arriving at two Australian hospitals to better understand the typical wildlife patients that veterinary hospitals can expect to encounter. Birds are the most common wildlife patients, often admitted due to injuries from car accidents. The study found a high mortality rate after admission, especially for animals with trauma or disease, compared to orphaned animals. It can be concluded that there are a number of challenges in the rehabilitation of wildlife. These findings add to our understanding of the challenges of caring for and preserving Australia's unique wildlife.Abstract Human activities in Australia frequently harm wildlife in their natural environments. Veterinary hospitals play an important role in treating individual animals and safeguarding threatened species. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of wildlife patients admitted to veterinary hospitals in Australia. Data from two wildlife hospitals situated in the southeast region of Australia was used to analyse the characteristics of wildlife patients. Avian species constitute the predominant category of wildlife patients admitted to these hospitals (54% and 60%, respectively). However, a large seasonal variation was observed for all types of animals. Traumatic injuries represent the foremost cause for admission for all types of animals; however, reptiles (62%) and birds (56%) were overrepresented in the category. Car collisions emerging as the most frequently encountered source of trauma. Moreover, the study reveals a notable mortality rate in admitted patients, approximately 50%, with an unfavourable prognosis for patients admitted due to trauma or disease. In conclusion, wildlife rehabilitation clearly presents a number of challenges. We recommend limiting rehabilitation patients, especially orphans and those not needing veterinary care, to focus resources on animals in real need. This could improve care quality, conserve resources, and enhance survival and release rates.

Keywords

wildlife; veterinary care; veterinary hospital; Australia

Published in

Animals
2024, Volume: 14, number: 18, article number: 2662Publisher: MDPI