NZ Wildlife - Practical Tips for the General Vet | Jordana Whyte

In this episode of The Vet Chat, Sumari Potgieter talks to Jordana Whyte, manager of the trust that runs the Wildlife Hospital Dunedin. They discuss the responsibilities of the veterinarian, the public, and the Department of Conservation (DOC), and how various roles work together to ensure the best outcome for the patient. Helpful resources for vets for bird and bat care are provided by the New Zealand Vet Association and are referenced in this talk. Vets can access the full documents on the NZVA website. For anyone interested in further reading, training and support, this list of references will be useful:

1. Available to all NZVA members, the Avian and Wildlife health guidelines, policy, and resources can be found here. This includes bat care advice for first responders and vets, as well as advice for managing emaciated seabirds.
2. Contact DOC (0800 DOC HOT) or rehabilitation facilities identified through the Wildlife Rehabilitation Network — WReNNZ — to arrange for transfer to longer-term care as soon as the patient is stabilised, or to seek additional advice/guidance.
3. Find out which NZ birds are threatened, listen to bird song, and learn about birds on the DOC website.  
4. A digital encyclopaedia of NZ birds can be found here.
5. Call the Department of Conservation emergency hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) immediately if you see anyone catching, harming, or killing native wildlife.
6. DOC resources on bats.
7. Information on lead poisoning, psittacine beak and feather disease, and avian influenza.
8. The Wildlife Hospital Dunedin can be contacted through Jordana Whyte at 021735211 or info@wildlifehospitaldunedin.org.nz