Vet says "It was poisoned" -was it? And Ignoring First Veterinary Response Calls

 

As a quick follow on to the updated fox-badgers deaths post yesterday I have a few thoughts.

Firstly, we know that many vets (incidents are recorded) will refuse to see sick and injured wildlife as "first vet responder" before the animal is handed over to a rescue. For this reason it is highly likely that many cases of poisoning are going unreported. First vet response could save wildlife but "there is no money in it" for the vet. They are a business and not willing to give over time to "freebies".

In not providing "first vet response" the vet is ignoring what might be a disease or virus or poisoner which could kill domestic pets -their clients.

In future I shall name any veterinary practice that is reported to have refused treatment of wildlife as first vet responder. Not good publicity.

A vet declaring "Your pet has been poisoned using anti-freeze" raises more questions. It is the pet owners or person finding a fox that has died that is telling us this. Looking at it one way this could be made up rather like the anti-fox people keep claiming vixens carrying cubs are  carrying dead cats; based on evidence we know 100% of such claims are fake so how about poisonng claims?

A wildlife rescue in Kent claims two for cubs died from anti freeze poisoning according to their vet.  I contacyted them and asked for more details and was bloicked. WHY would they block a fox researcher of 40 plus years who is looking into fox deaths? 

Some 95% of foxes handled by the Fox Deaths Project have died for reasons that have nothing to do with poisons. In fact, poisoning seems at the bottom of the list and this may be because people are just not bothering reporting dead foxes or wait a few days before alerting us at which time we are into the "maggot surprise" stage.

How without carrying out tests is a vet able to declare any animal was killed by bait laced with anti-freeze?   With the Fox Deaths Project we have had a first response vet declare a fox has been poisoned -it was not.

We are perfectly aware that there are pro fox hunt vets and practices and the fact that they are trained in animal care but support cruel sports seems a contadiction until the word "money" pops up. I had three different vets refuse flatly to help a sick fox because "most of our clientele are farmers and horse people".

If a vet claims that any animal has been poisoned then that is a potential crime -a wildlife crime if a badger or fox is involved. Vets should be obliged to report such incidents and not fudge around the question when asked later. Not reporting a known case of poisoning is actually aiding and abetting the poisoner in which case if it is shown that a vet diagnosed poisoning but did not contact the police to report such that vet should be prosecuted alongside the poisoner. 

With cats kidney and liver problems are not uncommon. A cat might seem a "bit off" get better but then hit a downward spiral until collapsing and dying. I have owned cats and I can assure you that none of them had access to poisons or anti-freeze (just not very good vets). It is for this reason that any vet declaring a death by poison should report the incident to the police and also take samples that can be laboratory tested to confirm poisoning.

There are good vets out there and I have been helped by them, however, the majority appear totally disinterested in wildlife or helping in any way.

From now on there will be public naming and shaming and for each incident a complaint will be officially made to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. I encourage others coming across such neglect of duty to do likewise.