Guest Review by Ned Gentz, MS, DVM, DACVM (Click on stars for an explanation)

You may purchase this book on Amazon.com.

This multi-authored book, concerning the veterinary aspects of wildlife rehabilitation as practiced in Britain, could and should be of more interest to North American veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators than one might expect.  Sure, there are some chapters on British wildlife species that don't live in North America (i.e., hedgehogs), but most of the chapters deal with wildlife species actually found in both places (bats, squirrels, rabbits, otters, foxes, deer, and birds [passerines, columbiforms, raptors, and waterfowl]).

The book benefits from using the same basic format for each chapter. Topics covered for each species include ecology and biology; anatomy and physiology; capture, handling, and transportation; examination; first aid; anesthesia and analgesia; specific conditions; therapeutics; management in captivity; release; and legal aspects.

Although I am not fond of some of the BSAVA volumes, I found this one useful. Wildlife rehabilitation is as much an art as a science, and different viewpoints and techniques are always welcome. This book is nicely illustrated and contains numerous useful tables which I always find handy. I recommend this book to any veterinarian, technician, biologist, or rehabilitator interested in or involved with wildlife rehabilitation. I believe the information it contains to be a utilitarian adjunct to the captive care of North American wildlife species.

Blackwell Publishing (2003).

250 pages, 8.5" x 11" format, soft-cover.

ISBN: 9780905214634.