What is a Rehab II Volunteer?40 or more hours as a Rehab 1

Completed Rehab 1 Shadowing and Skills Checklist

You are still expected to feed and clean outside birds but after this class you will also be able to:Prep indoor food and treatmentsGrab and handle for treatmentsChange paper in indoor kennelsPrepare a fecal sample

Indoor Housing: Kennel Sizes500P –BAEA, GOEA, OSPR

400P – RTHA, RSHA, BDOW, GHOW

200P – Used for COHA, MIKI and occasionally SSHA

100P – AMKE, EASO, MERL

IncubatorsOccasionally birds will

require supplemental heat.

The most common method of supplementing heat is using an incubator.

Water DishesKeep in mind the

height of the bird

Place water dish higher for hawks

Place water in normal position for owls

Changing PaperPaper is changed SID

Prepare paper ahead of timeThe number of sheets vary according to speciesNever use half sheets on topNO color paper (that way, blood or other bodily fluids will be

visible)Roll the paper so it will roll out flat when placed in the kennelKeep one gloved hand in front of you while the other gloved

hand pulls out dirty paper

Be on alert for signs of problems

TowelsTowels are changed SID

Towels are used for babies and adult birds that are unable to stand or perch

Never use towels with holes or strings! Very dangerous!

TowelsIf a bird cannot perch, a

towel may be laid flat in the bottom of the kennel

Sometimes a doughnut or pillow is needed for birds that cannot stand.Place bird on it’s chest

on the pillow

Mutes

Feeding Frenzy!where mice and rats are on the menu every night

Carefully read treatment sheet and follow instructions.

Frequently, food is medicated with vitamins, calcium or antibiotics.

Inject liquid meds into the abdomen of the mouse.

Cut open mice that need ground pills.

Injecting Mice

Tablet and pills

If it is cage food, Tabs must be finely ground with mortar and pestle.

Cut mouse open and pour powder inside.

Force Feed Food PrepMany birds require force

feeding and cage food

For example the instructions will read: 10-15g m ff and 20-25g m in cage

Weigh out 2 separate piles and lay tweezers on the ff portion.

Pills can be placed inside force-feed whole.

Food and Treatment Prep If the bird is getting FF,

supplements and medications must be placed in the FF portion-Not the cage food.

PO medications must be left in the syringe on the plate.

Clean tweezers and PO syringes must be used for each bird.

Rinse dirty PO syringes and tweezers in hot water and soak in Virosan.

Fluid Prep

Birds frequently need PO (by mouth), and/or SQ fluids (subcutaneous).

LRS is the most common fluid replacement used.

PO Fluid PrepPO fluids are given

using a clean PO syringe and feeding tube.

Fill syringe with the LRS bag labeled “PO”.

Place syringe on plate.

Rinse dirty syringes and tubes in warm water and soak in virosan.

SQ Fluid Prep SQ fluids are given using a

sterile syringe.

Remove syringe from autoclave container and attach a 23Ga needle.

Draw fluids from LRS bag labeled “SQ”

Place syringe on plate with the needle attached.

Place used syringes in container next to autoclave in the lab.

Place used needles in sharps container.

Catering to the BirdPlace food where the bird

is.

Make sure food is of appropriate size.

Follow instructions and stay in weight ranges.

LeftoversAlways look for and record LOs.

Make sure to note on chart if LOs were out of bird’s reach or inedible.

Frequent LOs may indicate a problem. Bring it to the attention of staff or leave a note in the chart to begin force-feeding if the bird has not eaten for 3 times in a row.

Keeping Records

Read feeding instructions thoroughly.

If you have any questions at all…ask!

Write comments about anything – everything is important. Is the bird lethargic, not bearing weight on one foot, wing droop, bloody,

holding an eye closed?

Caring for Baby RaptorsBabies are cared for

differently than adults

The baby boom is generally in the spring and summer except for BNOWs.

Imprinting

Avoid imprintingNever Ever talk to

babies

Use Camouflage and feeding puppet

Handle only when necessary.

BabiesUnlike adults, babies should

always have LOs.

Dark mice are preferred to “teach” babies what to look for in the wild.

BabiesFood must be cut up for

babies until they are big enough to rip and tear food alone.

Babies must pass mouse school before release.

Grabbing Birds

Read the treatment sheet! Know the bird’s injuries

and behavior!Prepare beforehand

Know your bird!

Grabbing vs. Cleaning Gloves

Getting a bird out of a Kennel

Why grab? Weighing, examinations, treatments medications, and moving.

Use one hand to grab, the other to shield your face and block the door.

Don’t hesitate, restrain as soon as possible, the less struggle the better.

Most Large BirdsMost larger birds can be

grabbed safely by their legs.

Both legs should be held tightly in between your thumb, forefinger and middle finger of one hand.

The wings and body should be controlled by your other hand.

The Little Guys

Use the smallest gloves that fit your hand well.

Be wary! They may be small, but their often quick, too!

Grab the entire bird with one hand, wings and body.

Don’t grab a small bird’s feet, tail feathers can be damaged easily.

Vulture Grabs!Watch out! They vomit!

Always BODY grab

Restraint of the head is the primary concern.

Be careful of large wingspan

EaglesStaff or experienced

eagle handler assistance is mandatory when working with ANY eagle.

Adequate hand, arm and upper body strength is a must.

Experience with vultures and cranky GHOW momma’s a plus.

Special Kevlar lined gloves are designated for the eagles.

Baby GrabsAlways body grab

anything downy!Bones are not yet

calcified and can break or bend easily.

Rule of thumb: Flighted = Maturity =

Strong bones

When in doubt, body grab.

Handling BirdsALWAYS maintain

control of the bird’s feet!

This is the most important thing to remember when handling Raptors!

Raptors are wild animals and will always try to defend themselves. Occasionally exchange of the

legs is necessary, but use clear communication when doing so.

HandlingWhen on an exam

table, the bird should be placed on his back for most treatments.

SQ fluids are given in the back, so the bird should be placed on his chest in this case.

HandlingKeep the bird’s

head covered with a hood or towel to reduce visual stress.

Lightly place one hand on the birds chest to prevent him from sitting up but do not push down on their chest as they will not be able to breathe.

Weighing

Adult birds are weighed in a wrapper.

Excessively large birds should be weighed in an open wrapper where the head and feet are exposed.

Placing birds in previously tared (zeroed) boxes is ideal for orphans or when moving patients outside.

Handling for Force-feeding

Food is pushed down past the tongue and into the throat (or crop) of the bird to prevent regurgitation.

Make sure food is cut to appropriate size for bird’s mouth.

The handler should hold the bird upright and at a comfortable level for the force feeder.

Handling for Fluids

PO fluids: Bird must be held upright.SQ fluids: lay bird on it’s back or

Cleanliness is CourtesyRefill empty pill bottles, medications and vitamins.

Wipe down the counters immediately after finishing treatments or food preparation.

Food should go in the refrigerator when not in use.

Clean all of the dishes and instruments you used in the Wash Room with soap and then place in the Virosan containers to soak.

Return wrappers and gloves to their appropriate homes.

Thank You!!!

Questions?