Veterinary practices commonly receive calls regarding young fledglings and , while the best advice is to leave them alone , proper handling of a captured wild bird is imperative [ 6 ] . This is to ensure they do not injure themselves or experience capture myopathy , and that the staff themselves remain safe . Capture myopathy is the death caused by secondary stress induced by prolonged captivity and handling [ 7 ] .
Wild bird injuries
Injuries inflicted by cats or other predators [ 8 ] and from road incidents are likely to be the main reaons for wild birds coming into the practice . Traumatic injuries such as fractures and wounds must not be underestimated in their requirement for analgesia [ 9 ] .
Proximity to fisheries and associated equipment may be a realistic correlator of entanglement and associated injuries in all seabirds [ 10 ] . Oil spills can also result in seabirds needing swift first aid and rehabilitation , starting with assessment , rehydration , warming and then cleaning with detergents , rinsing and drying . Only when they are active and alert can they be allowed to swim and preen to replace the waterproofing in their own coat [ 11 ] . There is always a risk of ingestion and inhalation of the oils present in spills , which can result in gastrointestinal injury , irritation and ulceration of the oral and ocular mucosa , kidney damage and reproductive dysfunction [ 12 ] .
Seabird assessment and handling
Coastal birds resident in the UK include the gannet , fulmar , Manx shearwater , black guillemot , common guillemot , razorbill and storm petrel ( Figure 1 [ 13 ] ). These are all classified amber [ 14 ] under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4 : the Red List for Birds ( 2015 ), while the shag and puffin are classified red [ 15 ] and the cormorant is classified green [ 14 ] . The species seen in a practice will depend on the location of the practice and its coastal terrain . Those practices near specific wildlife rescue centres may see species other than their local population and so should ensure patient identification and assessment are accurate . Identification posters , particularly for juvenile birds , are vital in practice [ 16 ] .
Efficient and knowledgeable triage is vital for all bird species , to ensure that a healthy animal is not dislocated from its habitat , a suffering animal is not neglected [ 17 ] and a practice protocol is in place to provide continuity of care [ 18 ] . Initial patient assessment from a distance can determine any obvious injuries or gait abnormalities signalling further investigation . Should a thorough examination be necessary , the whole body ( including the oral cavity ) should be examined for signs of trauma , discharge , toxins , parasites , fractures and penetrating wounds [ 19 ] . Reduced mobility , abnormal gait , hunched appearance , fluffed-up feathers and closing eyes are all signs of avian pain [ 9 ] . During handling , personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and appropriate equipment should be used to minimise the health risk from injury and disease transmission to staff and other patients [ 20 ] .
Figure 1 . Wildlife Watch pictorial guide for spotting UK seabirds [ 13 ] . © The Wildlife Trusts , UK .
32 Veterinary Nursing Journal