ABSTRACT
Internationally, forensic medicine and pathology are increasingly recognized as an important aspect of work done by veterinary clinicians and veterinary pathologists. In this article, a forensic veterinary clinician, a forensic veterinary pathologist in private practice, and a forensic veterinary pathologist at a veterinary school discuss the interactions among veterinary clinicians, veterinary pathologists, and law enforcement agencies and how future interactions can be improved. The focus is on the United Kingdom, but many of the principles, challenges, and suggestions are applicable to other jurisdictions. Clinicians and pathologists require forensic training to enable them to apply their veterinary knowledge to suspected cases of animal abuse and to subsequently present their findings and conclusions to a court of law in a concise, professional, and unbiased manner, and some opportunities for such advanced training in the United Kingdom are indicated. It is important that forensic veterinary clinicians and pathologists interact in an unbiased and collegial manner to answer the questions posed by courts of law. Opportunities for improved training, communication, and interaction among forensic veterinarians, forensic scientists, and law enforcement are discussed.
Subject(s)
Animal Welfare/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Pathology/legislation & jurisprudence , Pathology, Veterinary/legislation & jurisprudence , Animals , Crime/legislation & jurisprudence , Interdisciplinary Communication , Law Enforcement , United KingdomSubject(s)
Bird Diseases/microbiology , Disease Outbreaks/veterinary , Parrots/microbiology , Respirovirus Infections/veterinary , Animals , Avulavirus/isolation & purification , Avulavirus/ultrastructure , Bird Diseases/mortality , Microscopy, Electron , Respirovirus Infections/microbiology , Respirovirus Infections/mortalityABSTRACT
A method for the treatment of lead poisoning in mute swans (Cygnus olor) is described. Chelation therapy, using sodium calcium edetate, was successful in resolving the clinical signs of lead poisoning in 49% of cases. Individually ringed swans were monitored after their release to the wild, in order to assess the long-term benefits of treatment. Re-sighting and recovery data suggested that at least 22% of swans treated for lead poisoning survived the first 2 years. The results indicate that despite treatment, once a swan becomes lead poisoned its chances of survival are reduced by 59% compared with untreated swans living in flocks.
