INTRODUCTION TO

WILDLIFE PHARMACOLOGY

Lisa Fosco Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager

Toronto Wildlife Centre

General Pharmacology

Factors That Affect Drug Absorption

The dosage form

Blood supply to the area affected

Hydration status (clinically assessed)

Status of the GI tract

Mechanism of absorption of the drug

The pH and ionization status of the drug

The overall state of health of the animal

Understanding routes of medication

Understanding absorption and clearance rates….

Understanding routes of medication

Common Routes of Administration

• (PO) Oral

• (IM) Intramuscular

• (SQ) Subcutaneous

• (IV) Intravenous

Adminster drugs as directed

A comparison of topical, subcutaneous and oral administrations of ivermectin to reindeer.

A Oksanen, M Nieminen, T Soveri - The Veterinary Record- europepmc.org

How often?

sid, bid, tid, qid, qh?

Determining frequency of medication

Understanding therapeutic levels…

Attention To

Detail Is

Critical!

Expiration dates??

Drug Dosages

Clinical trials and FDA approval

vs

anecdotal information

Commonly Used Medications

Antimicrobials

Drugs that kill or inhibit the growth of

microbes…

Bacteria

Protozoa

Viruses

Fungi

Antibiotics

Antibacterial agents

Best prescribed

based on bacterial

isolation and culture

Administer correctly

or not at all!

KNOW your stock

antibiotics

Enrofloxacin aka Baytril™

Baytril

• Current research indicates that dosage is SID in most species

• Comes in many different strengths and forms (some of which are refrigerated)

Penicillin(s) Very good broad spectrum antibiotic

Empirical first choice for many infections

Usually administered BID x 7-10 days*

Comes in suspension as well as tablet and injectable forms

Can be given PO, SQ or IM

Comes in forms combined with other drugs

Contraindicated for rodents and rabbits!

KNOW your antibiotics!

Sulfonamides Trimethoprim + Sulfa is common

Aka Bactrim™ & TMS

Commonly used in songbirds

Bacteriostatic

Only administered orally (PO)

Penetrates the blood brain barrier

Drug of choice in rodents and rabbits

KNOW your antibiotics/drugs!

Know the contraindications of the species you are

working with…

Understanding treatment courses

How long to continue meds…

Steroids

Steroids

The use of steroids is still

controversial in many cases.

Steroids

May be given as a shock dose or as a

tapered course.

Steroids

Anti-inflammatories

Drug of choice for shock, spinal trauma, and

some acute neurological symptoms

Stabilizes cell membranes

Steroids Suppress immune function

Slows healing

Consider administering with supplemental fluids

Contraindicated in emaciated animals

Not to be confused with dextrose (Dxt)

Eye Medications

• S

Steroidal vs. Antibiotic/Triple antibiotic solutions

Ointment vs. Aqueous Solution

Eye Medications

Antiparasitic Medications

Endoparasites

Treatment is usually based

solely on fecal analysis

Fleas and Ticks

Ectoparasites

Ectoparasites can be treated topically with Flea and

tick powders/sprays

Carbamate vs. Pyrethrin

Not for use in rabbits!

Also useful for treating sarcoptic

mange!

Should be used sparingly and under the supervision of a

veterinarian.

Fly Eggs

Capstar Is Very Effective Against

Larva (aka Maggots)

• May be dissolved in liquid like water or apple juice

• Should be repeated as needed for newly hatching larva

• Not effective against non-larval stages

• Can be used with other anti-parasitic treatments

• Has been safely administered twice daily for several days

• Should be used in animals infected with live maggots.

• Recommended for treatment of any suspected internal larva, especially when noted in the rectum or ears. Also helpful for those with lots of fly eggs in the mouth.

• Effective against fleas

Pain Management • Buprenex™ (Bupernorphine)

• Tramadol

• Torbugisic™ (Butorphenol)

• Rimadyl™ (Carprofen)

• Metacam™ (Meloxicam)

And remember…

Do no harm!

Questions

?

Thank you!