Care and Handling of Wild Abandoned Neonates
Surbhi Gupta1* (PhD Veterinary Medicine), Gurpreet Singh Preet2 (Assistant Professor), Deepika Kataria1 (PhD Veterinary Medicine),
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, 2Department of Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex ,College of Veterinary Science, GADVASU, Ludhiana, Punjab (India)-141004
*Corresponding author: surrometra05@gmail.com
Abstract
‘Survival of the fittest’ is the rule of the wild. Any species of mammal or avian will exhibit highly protective and nurturing behaviour when their mothering instinct is strong. While the dam hunts, the neonates are often hidden from predators in many carnivore species. Herbivores that live in herds protect their young as a matter of social responsibility. Neonatal animals frequently become separated from their mothers and must contend with the harsh elements on their own. A veterinary intervention is required because it is impossible for these newborns to survive in the wild. It may be difficult to hand-raise wild neonates due to factors such as the death of the dam in the wild, traffic accidents, poaching, accidental separation, or lack of acceptance of the neonates in captivity. Every year in India, forest officials find hundreds of herbivores and a few predatory species with hampered cubs that they take to rescue centres or veterinary care facilities for therapy. In order to effectively hand raise neonates from the wild or in captivity, veterinarians must focus on a few key control areas, which are highlighted in this study.
Initial concerns
When a wild neonate is delivered, a veterinarian must attempt to identify the animal’s identity, at least to the species level. It can occasionally be difficult to tell one species from another since newborns and adults have different traits. The basic parameters including temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, weight, feeding history, meal specifics, and transportation information must be noted. If the animal is not delivered by forest department employees, local forest authorities must be notified. In the wild, abandoned neonates are frequently chilly and dehydrated. It is necessary to return the body temperature to normal before beginning any type of feeding. In severely cold climates, a brooding system can be necessary. For this purpose, heating pads, lamps, hot water bottles, or blankets might be employed. In avians, altricial species that hatch without feathers are raised by their parents until the filoplumes and feathers grow. Through effective brooding, an orphaned or separated chick must be given an ambient temperature of 38 to 39°C. Prewarmed fluid can be given once the temperature is close to normal to treat dehydration. Neonatal skin, eyes, and mucous membranes must be examined in order to determine the degree of dehydration.
Feeding Management
Following the correction of hypothermia and dehydration, the feeding can start. The meal must be chosen based on the animal species and neonate’s age. If the newborn animal is less than a week old, milk substitutes must be given. The most crucial aspect of neonatal care is the selection of a milk substitute and the newborn’s adaption to the feeding schedule. Herbivore species are thought to benefit greatly from goat milk, and reports of its successful use in carnivores have also been noted. However, choosing a milk substitute for a newborn always requires consideration of the animal’s milk composition. Always choose a species whose milk composition is closest to that of the newborn species. Avoid overfeeding while using a bottle because it might cause diarrhoea and aspiration pneumonia.
In birds, the parents feed the crop that is regurgitated, therefore to simulate this, the initial feeding may employ fresh crop contents from nearby slaughterhouses. Forceps or puppets can be used to feed soft food, such as worms and wet grains. Neonatal bird feed selection is crucial and should be based on the species of the birds. It is possible to mince ground meat and chicken meat and add 1 percent w/w calcium carbonate as needed. In order to prevent metabolic disorders like rickets in both mammals and birds, calcium and phosphorus must be added to the food of newborns. Vitamin supplementation is crucial, and the decision to do so must be made based on the species. For a certain kind of birds to effectively pulverise the provided feed, grit must be provided.
Management of Housing
In the early stages of their life, the neonates’ systems for regulating their body temperature are weakened, therefore artificial brooding is essential. Under a system of human control, mammals and birds must have an ambient temperature between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit to survive. Every mammal species has a different housing requirement, therefore it is important to honour the neonates’ natural instincts. Enrichment refers to the inclusion of inanimate objects in a neonate’s enclosure or home. The animal’s natural inclinations must be satisfied and the enrichment must not obstruct the animal’s ability to observe. The home’s floor must be cushioned and able to absorb moisture from spills and excretions. A well-ventilated home ensures health and well-being and avoids the transmission of illnesses, making ventilation a crucial factor in the housing that is supplied to newborns. Room heaters may be necessary in colder climates to maintain a comfortable temperature, and coolers may be placed in hotter climates to prevent heat exhaustion. In altricial birds, suitable perching may be needed as the feathers blossom; nevertheless, precocial birds may choose perching after the first 15 days of life. The management of newborn bird housing must take into account light. For neonatal birds, a formula based on 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness works best. To improve peripheral circulation and to have mother instinct, one should massage their entire body, including their skin and muscles.
Management in general
Weighing the newborns every two weeks is necessary to track their growth. This gives the vets crucial information about managing and feeding the newborns. In newborn wards, vermin nuisance is a serious problem that must be solved with appropriate, professional means. In the care of newborns, cleanliness is essential. Refused feed, excreta, and spills must be removed right away from the neonatal care space. To avoid further issues, the spilt food must be removed from the lips and other body regions. In the care of newborns, the bio-security movement strongly supports the idea that prevention is preferable than cure. Potassium permagnet solution at a 2 percent concentration, or another acceptable disinfectant solution, must be maintained in foot baths. All animal handlers are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPEs) to reduce the risk of infection transfer from newborns to other animals. Preferably, there should be little handling. The newborn care facility and the waste disposal unit must be kept 50 feet apart in order to follow efficient waste disposal procedures.
Conclusion
Neonatal care is a particular form of care that is essential to orphaned newborns’ survival; it calls for commitment, effective management, and prompt veterinary assistance. The successful upbringing of orphaned neonates depends on a keen and cautious approach to species-specific demands and the optimum use of resources to satisfy those needs. The difficulties posed by the crucial demands of neonate administration call for the efficient use of veterinary science knowledge, competence, and birth principles. The most crucial part of care and administration is maintaining conditions that are dry, clean, warm, peaceful, and well-fed.
