Wildlife nursing - part one: an introduction and literature review

Abstract:

Nursing of British wildlife species are not included in the curricula for most veterinary nursing training programmes. Yet, when presented with wildlife casualties in practice, veterinary nurses (VNs) are expected to fulfil their professional, legal and ethical responsibilities towards them. Part one of this article will discuss these responsibilities along with the triage procedures, expenses, risks and admission procedures of wildlife presented in veterinary practice.

Keywords: :

• wildlife
• veterinary nursing
• challenges
• attitudes
• education

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Acknowledgments

This article was produced as part of the primary author’s studies at the Royal Veterinary College’s BSc Veterinary Nursing course. Many thanks to Hilary Orpet as the supervisor for this project and the Royal Veterinary College for approval.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jesle Varu

Jesle Varu BSc (Hons), RVN

Jesle graduated in 2017 from the Royal Veterinary College as a Registered Veterinary Nurse and then undertook the BSc course, graduating in 2018. He currently works in Wanstead Veterinary Hospital (Goddard Veterinary Group) in east London with keen interests in exotics, medicine, teaching and wildlife.

Email: [email protected]

Hilary Orpet

Hilary Orpet MScVetEd, BSc, Dip AVN (Surgical), Cert Ed. FHEA, DipCABT, RVN

Hilary is a senior lecturer on the Foundation and BSc Veterinary Nursing degrees at the Royal Veterinary College. In 2007 she developed The Ability model of nursing care with Andrea Jeffery which is currently the only published veterinary model of care in use.

Email: [email protected]