Course Catalog

FLUID THERAPY IN WILDLIFE REHABILITATION

Course Title: Fluid Therapy in Wildlife Rehabilitation

Pre-requisite: None (Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation recommended)

Fee: Member-$95, Nonmember-$115

Delivery Method: Online

CE Hours: 5

CHECK SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING CLASSES

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

- Understand the essential nature of fluid therapy in wildlife rehabilitation

- Understand the physiology of dehydration and its effects on various organs

- Recognize the clinical signs of dehydration in mammals, birds, and reptiles

- Formulate and carry out a fluid therapy plan

Course Description:

Fluid replacement is one of the most important aspects of initial care in wildlife.  Dehydrated animals feel ill, do not forage or eat well, can not fight diseases or heal injuries well, and can not metabolize drugs efficiently. Dehydration affects all the organs of the body, including the mechanisms devoted to the detoxification and elimination of waste.

Fluid Therapy in Wildlife Rehabilitation examines the concepts involved in recovery from dehydration by exploring the subject from the perspective of wildlife rehabilitators.  Topics include, but are not limited to:  water and electrolyte balance and distribution; assessing the percentage of dehydration; fluid selection and routes of administration; calculating the amount of re-hydration fluid required; and species specific notes.

Please note: Oral and subcutaneous delivery methods will be described in greater detail through the course as they are the preferred methods for use by most wildlife rehabilitators.   Intravenous, intraperitoneal and intraosseous methods require additional training and monitoring by veterinary personnel and are therefore considered beyond the scope of this class.

Delivery Method

Fluid Therapy in Wildlife Rehabilitation is an online course consisting of two live, instructor-led sessions, message board discussions and a final exam.  Each live session is two and a half hours in length and includes time for questions and answers.  Live sessions are recorded and may be accessed by participants up to 7 days after the last live session takes place. 

Passing Requirements

In order to receive credit for the course, participants must complete a homework assignment, participate in message board discussion, and pass a final exam. Participation in the live session is recommended but not required.

For more information about IWRC’s online training program, please see the FAQ section.

Completion of this course does not confer upon participants the right to practice any part or aspect of veterinary medicine. Working in partnership with a licensed veterinarian is required by many states and provinces and is considered mandatory for the proper care of injured wildlife.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Course Title: Pain Management

Pre-requisite: None (Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation recommended)

Fee: Member-$79, Nonmember-$99

Delivery Method: Online

CE Hours: 2.5

CHECK SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING CLASSES

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

- Use and understand pain terminology

- Understand the physiology of pain

- Recognize the physical and clinical signs of pain

- Understand the formulary of medications used to treat pain in wildlife

- Contribute to the development of strategies for pain management

Course Description:

The Pain Management course is designed to give wildlife care professionals a working knowledge of the vocabulary and concepts underlying the modern approach to pain management in mammalian and avian species.

Topics include the physiology and clinical signs of pain, supportive care techniques, and drug therapy including indications, contraindications and side effects.

Delivery Method

Pain Management consists of one live, instructor-led session, message board discussions and a final exam. The live session is two and a half hours in length and includes time for questions and answers. The live session is recorded and may be accessed by participants up to 7 days after it takes place. 

Passing Requirements

In order to receive credit for the course, participants must complete a homework assignment, participate in message board discussion, and pass a final exam. Participation in the live session is recommended but not required.

For more information about IWRC’s online training program, please see the FAQ section.

Completion of this course does not confer upon participants the right to practice any part or aspect of veterinary medicine. Working in partnership with a licensed veterinarian is required by many states and provinces and is considered mandatory for the proper care of injured wildlife.

WOUND MANAGEMENT

Course Title: Wound Management

Pre-requisite: None (Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation recommended)

Fee: Member-$89, Nonmember-$109

Delivery Method: Online

CE Hours: 4

CHECK SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING CLASSES

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the types and stages of wound healing

- Recognize the most common types of soft-tissue wounds and the specific considerations associated with each

- Understand the pros and cons of various flushing agents and topical solutions

- Select appropriate bandaging material and employ proper bandaging techniques

Course Description

Developed specifically for wildlife care professionals, Wound Management provides a systematic review of the physiology and treatment of the most common types of soft-tissue wounds seen in injured mammalian and avian species.

Topics include wound assessment, wound types, antibiotic therapy, cleaning and topical agents, bandaging techniques and the physiology and stages of wound healing.  Fractures and wound management in herpetiles are not covered in this course.

Delivery Method

Wound Management is an online course consisting of two live, instructor-led sessions, message board discussions and a final exam.  Each live session is two hours in length and includes time for questions and answers.  Live sessions are recorded and may be accessed by participants up to 7 days after the last live session takes place. 

Passing Requirements

In order to receive credit for the course, participants must complete a homework assignment, participate in message board discussion, and pass a final exam. Participation in the live session is recommended but not required.

For more information about IWRC’s online courses, please see the FAQ section.

Completion of this course does not confer upon participants the right to practice any part or aspect of veterinary medicine. Working in partnership with a licensed veterinarian is required by many states and provinces and is considered mandatory for the proper care of injured wildlife.

BASIC WILDLIFE REHABILITATION

Course Title: Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation

Pre-requisite: None

Fee: Member-$120, Nonmember-$140

Delivery Method: Classroom

CE Hours: 13

CHECK SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING CLASSES

Course Description
This is an introductory course for beginning wildlife rehabilitators, or novice and experienced rehabilitators seeking formal education. Lecture topics include: introduction to wildlife rehabilitation, basic anatomy and physiology, calculating drug dosages, handling and physical restraint, thermoregulation, stress, basic shock cycle, initial care and physical examination, nutrition and associated diseases, standards for housing, zoonoses, euthanasia criteria and release criteria.

Lab topics include gavage (tube-feeding), physical restraint, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, physical exams, limb immobilization and weighing. Lab procedures are performed on cadavers.

Delivery Method

Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation is a two-day, traditional classroom course with both lecture and lab. The class ends on the second day with a final exam. Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation is not available online.

Passing Requirements

In order to receive credit for the course, participants must attend both days, participate in the lab, complete a homework assignment and pass a final exam.

Completion of this course does not confer upon participants the right to practice any part or aspect of veterinary medicine. Working in partnership with a licensed veterinarian is required by many states and provinces and is considered mandatory for the proper care of injured wildlife.

FEEDING AND NUTRITION

Course Title: Feeding and Nutrition

Pre-requisite: None (Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation recommended)

Fee: Member-$75, Nonmember-$90

Delivery Method: Classroom

CE Hours: 8

CHECK SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING CLASSES

Course Description
The nutritional requirements of wildlife are stringent and particular for each species. This course addresses the nutritional requirements of mammals and birds with principles applicable to reptiles and amphibians.

Lecture topics include: basic nutritional biochemistry, gastrointestinal physiology and anatomy, neonates, self-feeding process, importance of recognizing natural diets, determining nutritional requirements, feeding ill and emaciated animals, analyzing and formulating diets, minimizing captive stress through feeding and foraging enrichment.

Passing Requirements

In order to receive credit for the course, participants must attend and participate in the course and pass a final exam.

Completion of this course does not confer upon participants the right to practice any part or aspect of veterinary medicine. Working in partnership with a licensed veterinarian is required by many states and provinces and is considered mandatory for the proper care of injured wildlife.

INITIAL WILDLIFE CARE

Course Title: Initial Wildlife Care

Pre-requisite: None (Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation recommended)

Fee: Member-$75, Nonmember-$90

Delivery Method: Classroom

CE Hours: 8

CHECK SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING CLASSES

Course Description
This course will focus on the basic information and emergency care initially provided to injured and orphaned wildlife. Lecture topics include: basic anatomy, triage and intake procedures, stress and shock, hydration and fluid therapy and thermoregulation.

Passing Requirements

In order to receive credit for the course, participants must attend and participate in the course and pass a final exam.

Completion of this course does not confer upon participants the right to practice any part or aspect of veterinary medicine. Working in partnership with a licensed veterinarian is required by many states and provinces and is considered mandatory for the proper care of injured wildlife.