Treating Burns

with Dr Anne Fowler

Next session: 2010 dates to be advised

Burnt wildlife remains a high profile community concern over the summer months. Unfortunately vets and carers may have limited knowledge on how to assess and treat burnt wildlife and domestic animals. Accurate assessment of the depth of burns and associated pathophysiology is required so that burnt animals receive the veterinary care that they require to maximise their ability to heal.

This course aims to provide wildlife carers, veterinarians and their support staff with the basic skills to assess, treat burnt animals and assist in the rehabilitation of the animal. The course also covers some of the basic information needed for anyone attending a fire ground staging area and also looks at some aspects of the rehabilitation process.

Upon completion of this course, participants should feel more confident in assisting with the assessment and treatment of burnt wildlife and domestic animals.

Course content

The course will comprise of 7 modules and will take approximately 10 hours to complete. Each module will take the participant through a general overview of the topic.

Modules

1 Fire Ground Prerequisites

This module will cover the AIIMS structure, personal protective equipment and hazards of the fire ground that volunteers may encounter while participating in ground searches.

2 Assessment of Burnt Animals

In this module, the emphasis is to perform an assessment of the whole animal—not just its burns. In a fire, all parts of the population may be rescued—from the very young to the very old. The focus is to identify underlying problems that may be treated, such as dehydration, and those that cannot—such as mortal wounds.

3 Assessment of Depth and Extent of Burns

This module looks at the role of skin and the burn itself. The burn is categorised in relation to its depth and the total body surface area burned is estimated.

4 Treatment of Burns

Although treating the burn itself is only one facet to successful treatment of burnt wildlife, it is an important part in the process. The module covers initial treatment and covers how treatment changes as the burn progresses. Different dressings and medications are discussed.

5 First Aid and Supportive Care

Effective first aid can make a difference to burnt wildlife as these critters are dehydrated and painful. The provision of good supportive care in terms of nutrition and suitable housing is also addressed.

6 Rehabilitation of Burnt Wildlife

This module addresses the rehabilitation of the burnt animal and looks at considerations for the burnt environment. Several case studies from the literature are highlighted.

7 Species Specific Considerations

Different species bring their own challenges in terms of housing, feeding or tolerance to various medications. Several wildlife species are covered and both livestock and domestic pets are covered briefly.

Tutor

Dr Anne Fowler
BSc(Vet)(Hons) BVSc MACVSc(Avian Health)

Dr Anne Fowler completed a BSc(Vet)(Hons) in 1992 and graduated from Sydney University with BVSc in 1993. She has worked in mixed and small practice in both NSW and Victoria and has always taken a strong interest in treating wildlife in these jobs. In 2000 she began teaching wildlife carers on the care of wildlife at the Victoria University of Technology and now teaches throughout Australia. Anne has been a consultant to privately-owned sanctuaries.

She has been a committee member of the Unusual and Exotic Pet Special Interest Group of the AVA and is currently the president of the UEP. In 2004 Anne obtained her MACVSc in Avian Health and the Medicine of Australasian Wildlife Species in 2008. She has worked at the Wildlife Health and Conservation Centre at the University of Sydney as a Senior Clinical Veterinary Registrar and now works as a veterinary manager for RSPCA in Newcastle.

Enquiries

Please email the TimeOnline coordinator.