11
TLC-30 Advance
6 SMALL ANIMAL CARE
Your TLC-30 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 TLC-30 and allow the temperature to stabilise before adding
young birds or small animals. If you are aware of an incoming animal patient, the TLC-30 may be
switched on so that it is ready for immediate use when the patient arrives.
Once the TLC-30 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 TLC-30. 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 TLC-
30 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 TLC-30 set to their thermoneutral range.
The temperature of both the TLC-30 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 TLC-30 set at
82-90°F (28-32°C) 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 TLC-
30, 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.
See section 5 ‘Bird Brooding’ for more specific advice on care of young birds.
Table 1. Typical thermoneutral and active temperature ranges (ATR)
Species:
Temperature range:
Mammals
59 – 68°F (15 – 20°C)
Medium and Large Birds
59 – 77°F (15 – 25°C)
Small Birds
68 – 86°F (20 – 30°C)
Very Small Birds
77 – 95°F (25 – 35°C)
Reptiles
68 – 86°F (20 – 30°C)
Amphibians
59 – 86°F (15 – 30°C)