When Pets Attack Wildlife—Part 2: What to Do

Shirley Casey; Mackenzie Goldthwait

doi:10.53607/wrb.v31.46

Authors

Shirley Casey WildAgain Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc.
Mackenzie Goldthwait DVM Annie’s Animal Clinic

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v31.46

Keywords:

Injuries from pets, wildlife injuries, pet attacks on wildlife, use of antibiotics with wild animals, cat bites, dog bites, cats and birds, pet attacks, antibiotic resistance, wildlife mortality, wildlife wounds

Abstract

Many wild animals are admitted to rehabilitation as a result of capture and injury by cats and dogs. Review of published literature, as well as discussions with veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators, often focuses on use of antibiotics to address potential infections resulting from exposure to bacteria in the pet’s mouth. This paper offers some reminders to identify the full suite of possible conditions, to assess if the wild animal is able to survive and be released, and to consider then a range of possible treatment options—rather than automatically turning to antibiotics as a solution when antibiotics may not be appropriate nor the only option.

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Author Biographies

Shirley Casey, WildAgain Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc.

Shirley J. Casey, co–founder of WildAgain Wildlife Rehabilitation in Evergreen, Colorado, has been a licensed rehabilitator since 1986. She conducts research on wildlife topics as well as publishes and presents around the country on a wide range of rehabilitation topics, as well as on www. ewildagain.org.

Mackenzie Goldthwait DVM, Annie’s Animal Clinic

Mackenzie Goldthwait, DVM, graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1989 with a special interest in wildlife medicine. She was the veterinarian at Cape Wildlife Center in Massachusetts for 18 months. She is a veterinarian in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and works with wildlife as well as providing training for rehabilitators and veterinary students on wildlife health. Dr. Goldthwait is a Master Birder and serves on the Board of Directors for the Audubon Society of Greater Denver.

References

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Casey, Shirley, and Mackenzie Goldthwait. 2013. Pet Attacks on Wildlife Cause More Than Infections. <http://www.ewildagain.org>.

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