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Vetario S30
5 SMALL ANIMAL CARE
Your Vetario S30 has been specifically designed for the care of injured or sick small animals.
Animals should always be cared for following the instructions and advice given by your
veterinary surgeon.
The first stage of treating a cold animal (hypothermia) is to prevent further heat loss, by
wrapping the casualty in insulating materials such as blankets, bubble wrap or silver foil. It is
recommended to pre-heat the S30 and allow the temperature to stabilise before adding young
birds or small animals. If you are aware of an incoming animal patient, the S30 may be switched
on so that it is ready for immediate use when the patient arrives.
Once the S30 is warmed to the correct temperature the animal can be transferred. The amount
of bedding should be reduced at this stage to allow warming from the environment in the S30.
All animals will benefit from some bedding in the bottom of the cabinet such as an absorbent
pad to help reduce soiling. Small animals such as fox or badger cubs can benefit from having a
soft toy for company while single ducklings or pheasant chicks can be provided with a safe
mirror. Wild animals may become very distressed when handled by humans. Place the S30 where
there is minimal disturbance.
All small mammals and birds will benefit from being kept in an environmental temperature
within their ‘thermoneutral range’. This is the range of temperatures in which an animal expends
no energy to maintain its body temperature. The thermoneutral temperatures for typical adult
mammals and birds are given in table 1. For birds, the thermoneutral range depends upon size,
with smaller birds requiring higher temperatures. Reptiles and amphibians should be kept within
an ‘activity temperature range’ (ATR) in which it can control its body temperature. ATR values
for typical reptiles and amphibians are also given in table 1.
Hypothermic adult animals should be warmed in the S30 set to their thermoneutral range. The
temperature of both the S30 and the animal should be recorded at regular intervals. Careful
monitoring and observation of the animal should be undertaken to ensure that it is not showing
signs of distress. i.e. panting or shivering. These animals are also likely to be dehydrated and/or
‘shocked’ (hypovolaemic) so warming alone will not correct these things and may make them
worse. All adult animals must therefore be provided with adequate fluid therapy at the same
time as warming and veterinary care (in person, over the telephone or in written Standard
Operating Procedures). Injured animals also require pain relief (analgesia) which can be prescribed
by a veterinary surgeon.
If the animal will drink, then an oral rehydration fluid can be provided in a shallow bowl. If the
animal will not, or cannot drink, then fluid must be given in other ways. In birds, rehydration fluids
can most easily be provided by crop tubing, provided the bird can lift its head and swallow. In
mammals, intravenous or intraosseous fluids are usually required to rehydrate patients. These
must only be administered by a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse.
Only feed a poorly animal once it is warm and always start with liquids only. Do not place moist,
solid food in the intensive care unit as it will rapidly go bad due to the warm environment.
Dependent animals (those that would naturally be in a nest) should be kept in the S30 set at 28-
32°C (82-90°F) until they are of an age where they can maintain their own body temperature when
the heat can be reduced to the thermoneutral range for that species. Carefully observe their
behaviour for signs of panting or shivering to help determine the best temperature for them at
that stage. Very small baby animals may require an artificial fabric ‘nest’ to be created in the S30,
lined with paper towel.
Like adult animals, baby animals are frequently dehydrated upon arrival and should be fed with
an oral electrolyte solution. They also frequently have a low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia)
and should be fed appropriately soon after the initial electrolyte feed. If the animal is unable to
lift its head, and/or swallow, then it will need to be given fluids and glucose by injection –this
should be under veterinary direction.
Table 1. Typical thermoneutral and active temperature ranges (ATR)
