Task A (Record Keeping) - Health
Topic Summary:
The following section provides examples of records I use in my role at The Scottish Deer Centre in relation to animal health observations, medical treatment (prophylactic and reactive) and any further follow up action required or taken in response to health issues. The majority of the evidence I have presented below are records relating to the Deer Centre's group of Asian Short-Clawed Otters, however there is also one record relating to a Reeves Muntjac deer.
In summary, the evidence presented below includes:
- Medication record form with supporting photograph
- Dietary / Medical Additive Record Form - for supplements and additives to animal's diets for medical reasons
- Paper Specimen Report record sheet
- Veterinary laboratory report with results from investigation of a faecal sample submitted for testing
- Medical Record Form detailing observations, symptoms, intervention and treatment of a serious health issue, with supporting photograph
Otter Medical Care
The Deer Centre's Group of Short-Clawed Otters have had few major health problems throughout their time in the collection, however there have been isolated instances where medical treatment has been required.
One such case followed dominant male Huey sustaining a large abscess to his left forepaw, believed to be due to a particularly nasty wasp sting based on observations. This was causing him problems weight bearing on the affected paw and consequently impairing his walking, and the pain was such that he could not hold food between his forepaws (as is characteristic in feeding for Short-Clawed Otters) and was reluctant to take some foods. Following consultation with the park vet, and following the lack of success from initial treatment with Meloxicam and then Synulox in the first week, Huey was placed on a short course of Baytril (antibiotic) and Meloxicam (anti-inflammatory) for a starting period of two weeks.
In the photograph below, I am shown drawing back Huey's dose of Meloxicam prior to injecting the liquid into a deep cut into a trout tail, which he was then given directly by hand and observed closely to ensure all parts were taken. Baytril was drawn into a separate food item at another of the four daily feeds to increase the likelihood of Huey taking his medication successfully, which was the case.
A copy of the medical record sheet for week's one and two of Huey's treatment schedule is presented alongside the photograph as a second piece of evidence.
Preparing Otter Medication
Authentication for above image:
| Candidate Signature: | Date: |
| 07.11.2014 | |
| Witness Signature | Date: |
| 07.11.2014 |
Medical Additive Records
The risk of renal calculi formation is the most common health issue facing the captive Asian Short-Clawed Otter population, with the latest research concluding that over 60% of collections have seen occurrences in their otters. With the species' tendency to conceal symptoms until the matter has become too severe to treat, and earlier indications very subtle, keepers must be attune to their animals and also have a robust understanding of how best to restrict the build up of calculi (from excessive dietary calcium oxalates) and spot early indicators of a building problem.
One of the better methods of doing so has been to treat all otters with regular, prophylactic administration of Potassium Citrate in food (see Candidate Report under 'B - Routine Preventative Care' for further detail). As such, with the agreement of my Head Keeper, I implemented a schedule of twice weekly doses of Potassium Citrate, initially at 0.5g per otter until I felt confident that the otters were taking it consistently. Once this was the case, an increase to 0.8g per otter twice weekly was agreed with the Head Keeper.
The record form to the right is used to record administration of Potassium Citrate to the otters over the course of a month. This particular example is the form for April 2016 and shows the change in dosage described.
Daily Health Observations and Follow Up
Observations on animal health (as well as other matters) and any further action taken as required are recorded by keepers at the Deer Centre in paper Specimen Reports on a daily basis, and then transferred to computerised records by the Park Manager, who acts as our Registrar.
The majority of the Specimen Report sheet provided below highlights health-related observations in relation to our Short-Clawed Otters between October and December 2015. All entries were submitted by myself, as their lead keeper.
One entry, from 2 December 2015, details the discovery of unusual spraint (faeces) from Huey, after a couple of days in which his behaviour had deviated from the norm. I collected this spraint as soon as he had left the latrine, and submitted it to the park vet for testing.
The results - received 8 days later - are detailed in the laboratory report shown to the right of the specimen report form. Following receipt of these results, Huey was given probiotic treatment to settle distorted gut flora (which resolved the problem) and the full group were wormed with Panacur granules - see 'B - Routine Preventative Care'.
Records of Symptom Observations and Intervention
The form shown to the right is used in combination with the Medication Record Form shown earlier. It allows keepers to record detailed information on observations, symptoms of serious health concerns and interventions taken to respond to the matter in hand.
For example, as detailed in this particular form, after failing to see one member of our herd of female Reeves Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) on the morning of 20 January 2016, I carried out a follow up check in the enclosure later that morning and found the fawn in question shivering, running in a disorientated fashion in circular motions, falling over, appearing vacant and unresponsive to visual stimuli and apparently unconscious of the environment around it.
The form details these initial observations, the follow up action I took - from contacting the Head Keeper through to capture of the animal and taking it to our vet room for further investigations and treatment by the Head Keeper on the advice of the park vet. It also presents details of progress (or lack thereof) in the days which followed, up to the animal's death on 22 January.
A summary of the details captured in this form are transferred into the paper and computerised Specimen Report records. The forms are also useful in providing key information for vet visits, and - as in this case - are also used to set the scene for veterinary pathologists carrying out Post-Mortems if the animal concerned does not survive.
The supporting photograph below relates to the case described in the example form. I am shown restraining the Muntjac to allow the Head Keeper to administer a 1ml intra-muscular injection of oxytetracycline to the animal's thigh muscle.
| Candidate Signature: | Date: 20 January 2016 | |
| Witness (also shown in photograph) Signature: | Date: 20 January 2016 |