The first line of defense for most sick or wounded animals is its teeth. The hurt of the bite may soon disappear, but the complications may just be the beginning. Don't take animal bites lightly. They are serious health hazards for humans.
Saliva and bacteria on the animal's teeth and gums may transmit any number of dangerous diseases to you. Protecting yourself and taking every precaution in handling is a must.
Some of the health hazards of getting bit or scratched by a wild animal include:
Tetanus:
Any animal bite may produce Tetanus. The disease is caused by anaerobic bacteria being introduced into the body through a contaminated wound.
Animal feces, dirt and dust may contaminate any wound produced by an animal bite or scratch.
The incubation period for Tetanus varies from three to 21 days. Some of the most pronounced symptoms include: very painful contractions of the jaw and neck that spread into other muscles. Muscle spasms may literally become intolerable. The body trunk bows forward with the head and heels being pulled backward.
Just for a moment visualize this happening to your body! The facial expression may become locked into a twisted sort of grin.
Not having a current Tetanus shot and working with wild creatures is not a healthy combination.
Even if you are the type person that cannot pass an injured creature without trying to help it, don't risk your health without having a recent Tetanus shot. If you do, you are risking your life!
DF-2
Dysgonic Fermenter (DF-2) is a relatively new disease identified in those working with wild creatures. It is directly associated with canine bites. Those working with wolves, foxes, and coyotes are probably more exposed to circumstances conducive to contracting the disease. The disease is caused by a gramnegative bacteria.
Fever is one of the most common symptoms. Other symptoms include vomiting, endocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), meningitis, and some forms of arthritis. Chronic respiratory disease,shock and kidney failure have also been reported.
DF-2 has been found in those with other underlying health disorders such as alcoholism and chronic lung
diseases.
Healthy people rarely contract DF-2.
Snake Bites
Research shows that in 1994 some 38,000 people are likely to be bitten by nonvenomous snakes. An unlucky estimated 8,000 or more will probably be bitten by poisonous snakes.
There are two kinds of snake venoms: neurotoxic and hemorrhagic. Neurotoxic venom produces pain but not much swelling and discoloration at the bite site.
The victim usually experiences some facial paralysis. Difficulty in speaking follows throat paralysis and death usually is the result of respiratory failure.
Hemorrhagic venom causes almost immediate reaction. The injection of the venom from the snake causes pain, discoloration and swelling at the bite site.
Symptoms include muscular weakness, nausea, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea. Shock may be a very serious complication of any snake bite.
All snake venoms contain both neurotoxic and hemorrhagic components. These vary from species to species.
Herpes Virus Simiae
The Herpes virus simiae is better known by the simple term - B virus infection. The Rhesus monkey is the most common carrier in this country.
The virus does not occur naturally in American forests. Monkey groups are thought to pick up the virus from newly captured Rhesus monkeys.
Often the virus may go unnoticed in monkeys. A lesion may be localized in the monkey's mouth. Usually, it is found on the tongue.
When it breaks it leaves an ulcer. Many infected monkeys carry the virus for a lifetime passing it through the saliva.
The disease is rare in man, but it is fatal when contracted. You may develop Herpes virus simiae from a bite or from a skin abrasion coming into contact with infected monkey saliva.
There are many wildlife animal handlers, rehabilitators, and general workers involved in working with primates. They should be very careful to avoid bites and scratches, and when bitten seek immediate first aid and qualified medical help.
The disease may show symptoms anywhere from one week to five weeks after exposure. Common symptoms seen are fever, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and in some cases, severe diarrhea. As the disease progresses, urinary retention and pneumonia may occur.
Neurologic symptoms may include muscular pain, vertigo, diaphragmatic spasms, abdominal pain, and difficulty in swallowing. In the later stages paralysis occurs in the legs. As the paralysis spreads up the body, it may cause respiratory collapse and death.
If you are bitten by a monkey, seek medical help immediately, identifying the species that inflicted the bite, if you can.
As soon as possible after the bite, wash the wound site with soap and water.
Never neglect a monkey bite. It may cost you your life, if you do.
Pasteurella Multocida
This is a bacteria frequently found in animals' mouths. When the microorganism invades the bite wound, it produces reddening, swelling and usually intense pain within just a few hours after the bite.
Rat bites may cause what is known as rat bite fever. Also, it is transmitted by animals other than rats.
Streptobacillus monliformis and Spirillum minus are the culprits. The results resemble flu like symptoms initially. With the progress of the disease, symptoms worsen and may become more pronounced.
Regional lymph nodes become inflamed and swollen. Victims also report joint pains and muscle pains. Usually the bite site heals quickly and without overt complications. However, later ulcers may form and sever complications surface.
Researchers need to exercise caution in handling lab rats as do wildlife rehabilitators growing or purchasing rodents to be live fed to captive raptors. A rat bite is serious.
Infections
Two factors work together to produce an infection after an animal has bitten you. The site of the wound on your skin is not clean and the animal's mouth carries multitudes of germs.
Human skin usually contains organisms that may cause infections when they enter your body through a wound.
Research shows more than 62 different bacteria species exist in domestic dogs' mouths. Some cause uniquely nasty infections.
Numerous aerobic (those requiring oxygen) and anaerobic microorganisms (those that can live without oxygen) are involved in infected animal bites.
Rabies
Rabies affects the central nervous system. It is caused by a virus and always ends in death for the person bitten or the animal victimized by the disease.
All warm blooded animals are susceptible to rabies. Rabbits and rodents are not usually carriers of the disease. Why? Researchers are still not sure.
If you are bitten by a wild animal assume that it has been exposed to rabies to be safe. Don't take unnecessary chances with your life. When the animal is not available for testing, this becomes even more important.
Any time you are bitten or scratched by a wild animal, wash the bite site as soon as possible with antibacterial soap and water, and seek immediate medical attention.
In 1994, rabies vaccinations are not painful. Gone are the days, and thankfully so, of 12 to 14 injections around the navel and severe side effects. Now, it is a rare person who reacts to the rabies vaccinations.
Check with your local health department, and schedule your preventative rabies vaccines before you begin another wildlife rehabilitation season.
Remember, you can't help save wildlife, if you jeopardize your own life. Play it safe, get the vaccine.
If you are bitten by an animal, wild or domestic, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Then see your doctor, or go to the closest Emergency Room, as soon as possible. You had rather be safe than sorry
about what you may contract from a bite.
© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education
Fall berries are vital to wildlife
If nature failed to provide her huge offerings of fall wild berries, many animals would be left out in the cold to die.
Throughout nature, autumn's most bountiful harvest takes place far beyond the farmers' plow.
From late August through early December, dozens of plants share their berries with wild creatures to build fat stores for winter survival. Without the autumn season's berry offerings many creatures could not survive winter.
Berries are among nature's most important natural foods. They are literally laden with fat producing, life sustaining sugars. Bears consume huge quantities of them to build body fats needed to sustain them during winter denning. Raccoons and opossums feast on them for the same reason.
Many species of birds depend on nature's fall fruits to fuel long flights to warmer climates. Mountain ash and bittersweet are among the favorites at this time of the year.
Many non-migratory animals such as cardinals and raccoons depend on such plants as high-bush cranberry for winter nourishment.
In the northeastern US alone, there are nearly 100 species of trees and shrubs that produce berries or fruits that offer life sustaining qualities. Many species such as wild grape provide weeks of natural foods for more than 50 species of birds.
Trees and shrubs benefit from the fall harvest also. Without fall feeding animals to disperse their seeds, the plants might not survive.
If you want to do something that benefits wildlife, plant berry producing trees and shrubs. They will help feed wild creatures year after year.
At the Center more than 500 Autumn Olive shrubs provide supplemental food for wildlife. By early December the shrubs are stripped of their nutritious fruits and ready for pruning to insure a good crop of berries for next years friends. Another 20 fall through early winter berry bearing bushes feed wildlife naturally.
© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education
Throughout nature, autumn's most bountiful harvest takes place far beyond the farmers' plow.
From late August through early December, dozens of plants share their berries with wild creatures to build fat stores for winter survival. Without the autumn season's berry offerings many creatures could not survive winter.
Berries are among nature's most important natural foods. They are literally laden with fat producing, life sustaining sugars. Bears consume huge quantities of them to build body fats needed to sustain them during winter denning. Raccoons and opossums feast on them for the same reason.
Many species of birds depend on nature's fall fruits to fuel long flights to warmer climates. Mountain ash and bittersweet are among the favorites at this time of the year.
Many non-migratory animals such as cardinals and raccoons depend on such plants as high-bush cranberry for winter nourishment.
In the northeastern US alone, there are nearly 100 species of trees and shrubs that produce berries or fruits that offer life sustaining qualities. Many species such as wild grape provide weeks of natural foods for more than 50 species of birds.
Trees and shrubs benefit from the fall harvest also. Without fall feeding animals to disperse their seeds, the plants might not survive.
If you want to do something that benefits wildlife, plant berry producing trees and shrubs. They will help feed wild creatures year after year.
At the Center more than 500 Autumn Olive shrubs provide supplemental food for wildlife. By early December the shrubs are stripped of their nutritious fruits and ready for pruning to insure a good crop of berries for next years friends. Another 20 fall through early winter berry bearing bushes feed wildlife naturally.
© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education
Getting to know "God's Dog"
The word coyote comes from an ancient Indian language and means "barking dog." That one phrase leads you to believe that they are not much different from domestic dogs. In some ways this is true, and in others these creatures are truly wild.
Coyotes roam grasslands, deserts, mountains and even urban environments from Alaska to Costa Rica. The entire continental United States and a large portion of Canada is home territory for what some call "God's dog."
They usually breed from January through March. As with most animals, the farther north the later the breeding season and vice versa. Some scientists believe the same male and female breed year-to-year.
Female coyotes breed according to local geographical conditions, and food availability. If food is not plentiful, a lower percentage of females breed. If there is a bumper crop of native foods, a large percentage of females reproduce.
Both one year old males and females are capable of reproducing. Gestation lasts about 63 days producing an average litter of six pups.
Litter size is also affected by population density in an area and food availability.
Coyotes select a variety of dens. Thick underbrush banks, thickets, hollow logs, and beneath rock shelves are favorite sites to dig in and raise a family.
Most coyotes are active during the day with peak feeding times being early morning and about dusk. The more urban the home range, the more likely coyotes are to be more active at night. This is a safety precaution no doubt.
First year coyotes leave the family unit in the fall and early winter of their first year to establish territories of their own. Some first year females remain with their mother during a full season and help raise mothers' pups the following spring.
Coyotes and wolves do not share the same territories with reports of wolves killing coyotes. In turn, the coyote competes with the fox in the same territories for similar foods. Bobcats are reported to not tolerate coyotes in their territories.
Researchers have learned that coyotes and badgers share hunting territories well. The badger digs out the rodents that coyotes enjoy, and the coyotes catch them.
Coyotes and foxes eat very similar items. These include rodents, apples, rabbits, berries, plant foods, insects, songbirds, livestock, deer, and an occasional house cat or small dog when they are available.
Livestock taken by coyotes is usually in the form of carrion. However, newborn pigs seem to be on the menu when they can be found.
Food habits and geographical location determine food choices.
Coyotes live solitary lives and in packs depending on food types available. If an area is rich in rodents, coyotes prefer to live and hunt in pairs. If bigger game such as deer and moose are plentiful, then they willingly join in a pack endeavor to bring down dinner.
© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education
Coyotes roam grasslands, deserts, mountains and even urban environments from Alaska to Costa Rica. The entire continental United States and a large portion of Canada is home territory for what some call "God's dog."
They usually breed from January through March. As with most animals, the farther north the later the breeding season and vice versa. Some scientists believe the same male and female breed year-to-year.
Female coyotes breed according to local geographical conditions, and food availability. If food is not plentiful, a lower percentage of females breed. If there is a bumper crop of native foods, a large percentage of females reproduce.
Both one year old males and females are capable of reproducing. Gestation lasts about 63 days producing an average litter of six pups.
Litter size is also affected by population density in an area and food availability.
Coyotes select a variety of dens. Thick underbrush banks, thickets, hollow logs, and beneath rock shelves are favorite sites to dig in and raise a family.
Most coyotes are active during the day with peak feeding times being early morning and about dusk. The more urban the home range, the more likely coyotes are to be more active at night. This is a safety precaution no doubt.
First year coyotes leave the family unit in the fall and early winter of their first year to establish territories of their own. Some first year females remain with their mother during a full season and help raise mothers' pups the following spring.
Coyotes and wolves do not share the same territories with reports of wolves killing coyotes. In turn, the coyote competes with the fox in the same territories for similar foods. Bobcats are reported to not tolerate coyotes in their territories.
Researchers have learned that coyotes and badgers share hunting territories well. The badger digs out the rodents that coyotes enjoy, and the coyotes catch them.
Coyotes and foxes eat very similar items. These include rodents, apples, rabbits, berries, plant foods, insects, songbirds, livestock, deer, and an occasional house cat or small dog when they are available.
Livestock taken by coyotes is usually in the form of carrion. However, newborn pigs seem to be on the menu when they can be found.
Food habits and geographical location determine food choices.
Coyotes live solitary lives and in packs depending on food types available. If an area is rich in rodents, coyotes prefer to live and hunt in pairs. If bigger game such as deer and moose are plentiful, then they willingly join in a pack endeavor to bring down dinner.
© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education
Electric power poles deadly to raptors
There is some half a million miles of electric distribution lines in the U.S. supported by several millionpoles. When a raptor lands on one of these lines, it is usually a fatal grasp.
What happens is that the raptors electrocute themselves when they touch two live wires, or a ground wire or uninsulated transformer and a live wire. The wider the species' wingspan, the more likely the landing will be fatal.
"Eagles comprise some 70-90 percent of all mortalities, and buteo hawks (redtails, broad-wings, etc.) most of the rest," reports Wildlife Conservation Magazine. "Immature birds, which land more clumsily than adults, are often zapped."
The poles most likely to be killer ones are those positioned on high terrains overlooking populations of rabbits, squirrels, and other live prey.
Killer poles may be made safe for raptors with wooden perches 14 inches to 16 inches above live wires or by placing inverted v-shaped perch guards close to conductors. This would discourage raptors from landing on them.
When you find a dead raptor under an electrical pole, record the pole number and location and then report it to your state game and fish department or your local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office.
© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education
What happens is that the raptors electrocute themselves when they touch two live wires, or a ground wire or uninsulated transformer and a live wire. The wider the species' wingspan, the more likely the landing will be fatal.
"Eagles comprise some 70-90 percent of all mortalities, and buteo hawks (redtails, broad-wings, etc.) most of the rest," reports Wildlife Conservation Magazine. "Immature birds, which land more clumsily than adults, are often zapped."
The poles most likely to be killer ones are those positioned on high terrains overlooking populations of rabbits, squirrels, and other live prey.
Killer poles may be made safe for raptors with wooden perches 14 inches to 16 inches above live wires or by placing inverted v-shaped perch guards close to conductors. This would discourage raptors from landing on them.
When you find a dead raptor under an electrical pole, record the pole number and location and then report it to your state game and fish department or your local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office.
© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education
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