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Volume 37, Number 4 December, 2017 THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE NEW YORK STATE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION COUNCIL, INC.
NYSWRC Board of Directors
Kelly Martin, President [email protected] Barb Hollands, Vice Pres. [email protected] Cheryl Hoople, Secretary [email protected] Eileen Hagerman, Treasurer [email protected] Jean Alden, Membership [email protected] Virginia Frati, Release [email protected] Sue Heighling [email protected] Beverly Jones [email protected] Ellen Kalish [email protected] Terri Murphy [email protected] Rebecca Pou [email protected] Veronica Serwacki, Release [email protected] Lauren Schulz [email protected] Jenny Topolski [email protected] Matt Zymanek [email protected] Advisory Board: Andrea Sammarco, Attorney at Law George Kollias, DVM, PhD Noha Abou-Madi, DVM, Msc. Karen Moran, DVM
www.NYSWRC.org Back issues of Release are available in color online. Follow us on Facebook
NYSWRC Board Meetings are open to everyone. E-mail Kelly Martin, President 2018 NWRA Conference February 27 - March 3, 2018 Anaheim, CA Register at www.nwrawildlife.org WELCOME new NYSWRC Board Members Rebecca Pou and Jenny Topolski
Editor’s note: We welcome your articles, poems, information, questions and artwork. We are pleased to print articles from our members, but caution each reader that NYSWRC is not responsible for the accuracy of the content or information provided, and does not necessarily endorse the policies proposed. Submissions should be sent to: [email protected] and/or [email protected].
President’s Message, Kelly Martin
T his past year has seen some much needed updates to NYSWRC. We have joined the social media world and joined the 21st century with a
facelift to our website, including online conference registration and conference information. Many thanks to all the hard work by our Board members who helped make this happen. If there are still kinks in our system or on our website, bear with us as many of us are not that technically savvy and this has been a laborious process for us. We welcome feedback on how to improve our efforts. This has been a transition year as well due to the departure from the Board of Steve and Amy Freiman, who for so many years kept the conference process on track. Many thanks to the Board members who stepped up and stepped in to fill big shoes. We want to hear from you as to how to always keep making things better. NYSWRC Board members are often asked questions regarding decision making on our annual conference. Those questions include: How are hotels chosen? Can we find cheaper options? Can we select different locations? How are speakers chosen? We have been hosting seminars/conferences since 1980 so we have a long history in this arena. We will try to offer some perspective on this and some of the criteria that goes into our choices. NY is a large state and trying to accommodate all geographically is difficult. We would love to host a conference more downstate but the closer we get to NYC, even the Hudson Valley, the higher the prices go. We vary the location to alternate between western NY and as close as we can get to NYC. Hotel costs are somewhat out of our control – we can only go so cheap and still host a conference with competent staffing and nice accommodations. We want people to take advantage of conference packages because that is the best deal for attendees but also best for NYSWRC. If we meet a minimum number of rooms rented, meeting rooms are free. NYSWRC has invested in our own AV equipment to keep rental costs down, and our AV team
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HOW TO SAVE AN ANIMAL’S LIFE WITH TAPE AND GLUE By Laura Moss Reprinted with permission from the Mother Nature Network
N early a billion monarch butterflies have vanished since 1990, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Conservationists are
pushing to have the insects protected under the Endangered Species Act, and in the meantime, groups like the Live Monarch Foundation (LMF) are doing their part to save the species, one by one. In a step-by-step video released in 2007, the LMF demonstrates how to replace a butterfly’s broken wing. By securing the insect with a wire hanger, the rehabilitator is able to either painlessly clip a butterfly's wing so it matches the other (in cases where there’s little damage) or attach part of a new wing.
With wings from deceased butterflies on hand, it’s possible to clip off the part the live butterfly needs and attach it with a little bit of glue. Baby powder is then sprinkled onto the mended wing to prevent the two wings from sticking together.
Watch the full how-to video at the website below: https://youtu.be/ah0SBALIc0o
brings their own equipment to make sure we meet speakers’ needs. To keep costs down we have kept our registration fees minimal, and our silent auction and raffle monies help offset costs. We offer reasonable fees to vendors to enhance the event, though with internet access to everything it is becoming hard to attract vendors. We have been fortunate to receive some sponsorship and grant money for conference, but this generally goes towards speaker fees. Occasionally we are asked why we don’t put out a call for papers for lecturers. Our program content is ‘hand-picked’ for specific speakers or lectures/labs from people who have first-hand knowledge of the quality of content and presentation. This is not infallible; but for the most part, we remain satisfied with this process. The NYSWRC Board welcomes input into all of the above. If you are aware of a conference center that might meet our needs, we will consider it and can give you criteria for selection to evaluate a site. We also welcome suggestions for speakers, labs, and lectures as long as these come with a personal recommendation.
T he reason for using green products are many. They keep our water and air clean, they protect our wildlife, they are safe for our pets and family
members and they give us the satisfaction of making a positive difference. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that the air inside the typical American home is 2-5 times more polluted than the air immediately outside and, in extreme cases, 100 times more polluted. While household cleaners and personal care products are not the sole cause, they are a large contributing factor. With the cold winter months ahead of us, why not try one of these eco-friendly personal care products.
FOOT SOAK 1/4 cup Epsom salt and warm water (enough to cover feet in a basin or foot tub) 3 drops lavender essential oil 3 drops peppermint essential oil Pour the salt into the foot tub or large basin of choice. You can even use a clean bucket (we won’t judge!) Stir until dissolved. Add essential oils and stir again till well mixed. Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes; some light reading or calm music is optional. Relax!
THIEVES HAND SANITIZER 2 cups aloe vera gel (use gel - juice is very runny) 1/4 tsp Vitamin E as a natural preservative 1 tsp witch hazel (make sure it has no alcohol) 30 drops Young Living thieves essential oil 10 drops Young Living lavender essential oil (to prevent chapping and rawness) Mix in a bowl and use a condiment bottle to squeeze it into smaller bottles.
THE FROG’S DEN
By Beverly Jones; Reprinted with Permission from the Pfieffer Nature
Center
President’s Message, Continued from Page 1
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VETERINARY COLLEGE MENDS, RELEASES INJURED BOBCAT
By Sara E. Childs-Sanford, DVM and Melissa Osgood August 16, 2017
I n April, Cornell’s Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Health Center (WHC) admitted a young male bobcat after he was hit by a car in Lansing, New York.
After receiving a call from a witness to the accident, WHC wildlife veterinarians worked with officers from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and a nuisance wildlife control operator to capture and transport the bobcat to WHC. When he arrived, the bobcat was in critical condition and required several days of care to stabilize his condition and allow bleeding in his lungs to resolve. He was also diagnosed with a severely fractured humerus (a bone in the forelimb) and a hip that had been moved far out of the joint.
Dr. Christina McCullough, left, and Dr. Sara Childs-Sanford prepare a young bobcat for examination. Dr. Ursula Krotscheck, chief of small animal surgery at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, evaluated the bobcat and radiographs of his forelimb fracture. The bone was fragmented into numerous pieces, and she determined that a metal plate was necessary to bring together the pieces and give the bobcat the best chance of healing. Donating time, equipment and expertise to WHC, Krotscheck spent several hours performing the grueling procedure, challenged by anatomy that was different from her domestic patients and by a fracture that was extremely difficult to repair. After a few days of recuperation, the bobcat underwent another surgical procedure by Krotscheck, in which his severely dislocated hip was addressed. WHC veterinarians continued to provide the bobcat with care and aggressive pain control for the next several days, until the rehabilitation phase of his care could begin.
The bobcat was transferred to licensed wildlife rehabilitator Cindy Page, who housed the bobcat in a small area at first to restrict his activity and allow the bones to heal. He was given privacy but remained secretive, wary of humans and aggressive when approached. After approximately 10 weeks of rest and healing, he was returned to WHC for a checkup. The results of the radiographs were stunning: a beautifully healed fracture with perfect alignment. An exam showed good range of motion of the injured hip as well. He had grown, gained weight and was in excellent condition. As he recovered from anesthesia in a large dog crate, his release plans were solidified for the following day. With assistance from Todd Bittner, director of natural areas for Cornell Botanic Gardens, a large area near his original home range was chosen. At noon on Friday, July 28, the door of his crate was opened, facing onto a beautiful sunny meadow, while all of those involved in the bobcat’s care silently looked on. Among the onlookers were many people involved with his recovery – a representation of the steps and stages native wildlife such as the bobcat must go through when ill or injured. Despite the open door, the bobcat hunkered down toward the back of the carrier, apprehensive and unsure. With some coaxing and gentle tipping of the carrier forward, he finally made a break for it – shooting out of the carrier across the meadow toward a dense forest. Dr. Sara E. Childs-Sanford is an Assistant Professor of Zoological Medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Melissa Osgood is assistant director of media relations and leadership communication at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Radiograph of the bobcat's severely fractured humerus (a bone in the forelimb).
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NYSWRC Conference - 2017
Binghamton, NY
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NYSWRC HONORS 2017 VETERINARIAN OF THE YEAR, DR. NOHA ABOU-MADI Nomination by Kelly Martin and Beverly Jones
N YSWRC is pleased and honored to award Dr. Noha Abou-Madi the 2017 Veterinarian of the Year Award, our 22nd Recipient. Dr. Abou-
Madi’s accomplishments in the world of wildlife medicine and conservation are many. A quick review of her biography shows a long-standing dedication to the care of exotic and native wild animals. In addition to working directly with wildlife, Noha is equally committed to teaching and training veterinary students who then go into private practices with experience in treating wildlife animals. Noha also makes herself available for consultation with veterinarians who have questions about how to proceed in treating wildlife. This is a tremendous service for animals, veterinarians, and rehabilitators. For this we are ever so grateful. Noha is on staff at the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Health Center, an annex of the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. Borrowing from their own website, here is a brief description of the mission of the work they do. They provide comprehensive medical and surgical care to sick, injured or otherwise impaired native wild animals and are one of only four university-based centers in the U.S. that provides diagnostic, medical, and surgical care for common and complex wildlife cases. Noha and her team work closely with wildlife rehabilitators and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Staff includes veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and rehabilitators who treat native wildlife brought to them by the public with the goal of releasing them into their original habitats and they strive to find the causes of wildlife health problems at the local and population level and work to prevent future or similar problems from occurring. They are also committed to educating undergraduate and veterinary students in the specialty of wildlife health. On a personal note, I have known Noha since she first arrived at Cornell in 1997. I was spoiled by the veterinary students who started the ‘Avian Clinic’ at Cornell who would meet me at all hours of the day and night, and who would confer with me on decisions about treating animals I brought to them. They eventually and quietly branched out into treating mammals and reptiles and enlisted the expertise of other Cornell veterinarians, all before there was a bona fide wildlife curriculum at Cornell. With that in mind, I was apprehensive about how approachable the new clinicians would be. Dr. George Kollias, who brought Noha on staff, was wonderful to work with, but he was building a wildlife department and would not always be available for rehabilitators. All concerns were immediately put to rest upon meeting Noha. She is the epitome of the veterinarian we want working on wildlife and working with us: good natured, respectful, good humored, kind, honest, caring, compassionate, a good listener, and sympathetic; all combined with being a skilled and
knowledgeable wildlife professional. Open dialogue in discussing how to treat wildlife is a given and a willingness to try when things are hopeful but frank and honest when tough decisions need to be made. Noha embodies confidence and deference at the same time. She is sure of her abilities yet does not flaunt them, showing a respect for other people she works with, be it another veterinarian, a student, or a rehabilitator. And, surprise, those who work at the Janet Swanson Wildlife Health Center are still willing to admit wild animals at all hours of the day or night, weekends, and holidays too! Noha gives of herself to many aspects of wildlife medicine through helping us with native wildlife, through conservation medicine in other countries and on exotic species, through direct care of the animal collection at the Rosamund Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, through working with NYSDEC on the River Otter Reintroduction Project, and by serving on the NYS Falconry Advisory Board. NYSWRC Board member, Beverly Jones shares a seat on that board with Noha. Though neither is a falconer, they participate to benefit the birds. Noha is a valued resource for wildlife, for students, for rehabilitators, for NYSWRC. She is valued for her skills, knowledge, abilities, and for her willingness to share those. She is also valued as a friend. Bev notes that she has observed from working with her that she is always so considerate of the opinions of others and she is also very thoughtful and science based with her own opinions..she truly cares about the quality of life these animals receive when in captivity.. her personality is perfectly suited to working with animals and people as she exudes a beautiful inner peace and calmness... It is an honor to know her...
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Trichomonosis (Other names: Trichomoniasis, Canker, Frounce) Reprinted with Permission from the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative CAUSE Trichomonosis (also known as trichomoniasis) is an infectious disease caused by the microscopic parasite Trichomonas gallinae. It is a well documented illness in many bird species, primarily pigeons and doves (commonly known as canker) and raptors (commonly known as frounce), but also in various species of passerine birds, particularly finches. The parasite inhabits the upper digestive tract, mainly the crop and esophagus, but it may also infect the liver, lungs, air sacs, internal lining of the body, pancreas and bones and sinuses of the skull. SIGNIFICANCE Since 2005, increased mortality due to trichomonosis has been observed in the United Kingdom in greenfinches and chaffinches, which has caused significant declines in the populations of these bird species. Trichomonosis was first documented in wild birds in Atlantic Canada in 2007, and it has been encountered regularly in the purple finch and American goldfinch populations in the region since that time. The reason for the emergence of trichomonosis in finches is uncertain, although there is some evidence that backyard bird feeding and watering might be involved in the transmission of the disease. RISK TO HUMAN AND DOMESTIC ANIMAL HEALTH Trichomonas gallinae is a parasite of birds and does not pose a health threat to humans or other mammals such as dogs and cats. Captive poultry and pet birds could be infected with the parasite. TRANSMISSION Food or water contaminated with recently regurgitated saliva or droppings from an individual infected with Trichomonas gallinae can expose uninfected birds to the parasite and lead to potential transmission of the disease. Transmission of infection between birds can also occur when infected adults feed nestlings by regurgitating food. Raptors acquire the disease when consuming infected birds as prey. Although under most conditions the parasite is not viable in the environment for long, bird feeders and baths are thought to be potential sites of transmission. CLINICAL SIGNS Trichomonosis causes severe damage to the tissues of the mouth, throat, crop and esophagus and affected birds may drool saliva, regurgitate food, have difficulty in swallowing food and water, demonstrate laboured breathing and/or have a swollen neck or throat. In addition to showing signs of general illness (i.e., lethargy, poor flight ability and fluffed up feathers), affected finches are frequently observed to have matted wet plumage around the face and beak, presumably due
to regurgitation. Affected birds are also commonly very thin as the damage to the tissues of the throat and esophagus makes eating and drinking painful and difficult. www.cwhc MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION Because bird feeders and baths are thought to be potential sites of transmission of trichomonosis, the following precautions are recommended to avoid spread of the disease and to keep birds healthy: • During a known outbreak of trichomonosis, remove bird feeders and baths for at least two weeks to disperse birds and reduce the likelihood of transmission. During the summer months there is plenty of natural food and water available for birds. • Clean your bird feeders and baths regularly. A weak solution of domestic bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite) should be used to disinfect feeders and baths. Feeders should be rinsed well and dried before re-use. • Only use bird feeders that prevent the seed from getting wet. Bird seed that is exposed to rain and becomes wet is a more suitable environment for the potential survival of the parasite. • Do not use table feeders or feed birds by placing seed on the ground. Sick birds sitting directly on bird seed are more likely to contaminate it with Trichomonas gallinae. These feeding methods also encourage mixing of the typical species that carry the parasite (e.g. rock pigeons) and other less frequently affected birds, resulting in an increased possibility of transmission. • Report any sick or dead birds to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. Find your closest regional centre at: http://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/ Birds can carry other diseases transmissable to humans and pets (for example Salmonella, Campylobacter and E.coli bacteria). Therefore, routine cleaning and disinfection of bird feeders and baths will reduce the risk of any infections being passed on to people or their pets. • Brushes and equipment used to clean bird feeders and baths should not be used for any other purpose. Keep them outside and away from food preparation areas. • Wear rubber gloves when cleaning feeders and thoroughly wash hands and forearms afterwards with soap and water, especially before eating and drinking. • Avoid handling sick or dead birds directly with bare hands. Wear gloves or cover your hands with a plastic bag to collect a specimen for examination or contact your local wildlife department to retrieve specimens from your property. SUGGESTED READING • United Kingdom’s Garden Bird Health Initiative Program: http://www.gardenwildlifehealth.org/files/2013 /09/Garden-bird-Trichomonosis-factsheet_GWH.pdf • Forzán MJ, Vanderstichel R, Melekhovets YF, McBurney S. Trichomoniasis in finches from the Canadian Maritime provinces — An emerging disease. The Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2010;51(4):391-396.
NYSWRC
1850 N. Forest Rd.
Williamsville, NY, 14221
www.NYSWRC.org
NEW YORK STATE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION COUNCIL, INC.
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Our NYSWRC Mission
NYSWRC, Inc. is a not for profit membership organization dedicated to
the education of wildlife rehabilitators, improvement of the field of wildlife rehabilitation, and the protection and preservation of the environment.
NYSWRC MEMBERS Please check the address label on this issue of RELEASE to determine your current membership type. Your membership in the New York
State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (NYSWRC) expires on this date. To guarantee uninterrupted membership services please utilize the
application below to renew your membership. We encourage you to share your issue of RELEASE with new rehabilitators and other
interested persons.
RELEASE is the quarterly newsletter of the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Inc. and is included with membership.
Papers, photographs, illustrations and materials relating to wildlife rehabilitation are welcomed and encouraged. Please send
materials to one or both of the following:
Virginia Frati, RELEASE, 97 WILDWOOD ROAD, SAG HARBOR, NY 11963, [email protected]
Veronica Serwacki, RELEASE, 175 Greenaway, Eggertsville, NY 14226, [email protected] All materials are copyrighted, For permission to reprint portions, contact Editor.
