We often get asked if we can treat wildlife remotely but unfortunately we can’t.  As a registered veterinary surgery we comply with regulations  and rules from the  home office and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) .

These are the reason why…. 

It is illegal to leave prescription-only parasitic medicine out for a wild animal for many reasons. The legalities of prescription-only veterinary medicines can also be found on the government website under POM-V Medicines (see below*)

• Veterinary medicine plays a crucial role in diagnosing, treating, and preventing parasitic infections in wild animals . Medicine can not be prescribed by our veterinary surgeons to be left out in the field.
• Medicine left out for wild animals is often accidentally consumed by our pet dogs and cats. This can be fatal. 
• Medicine can contaminate the environment, reaching rivers through wastewater. They’re harmful to a wide range of invertebrates, even in small doses, threatening wildlife, ecosystems, and the environment. 
• Wild animals are not the same as our pets at home. They often live harmoniously with many parasites and often only become diseased if they are ill for multiple and various reasons. This is when veterinary support is needed in experienced wildlife hospitals with qualified vets present.
• Wild animals are often nursing their young, especially in the spring. They are often hidden away, so we do not see them. These are strong medicines that can potentially harm young offspring, particularly if still nursing.
• Anti-parasitic, prescription-only medicine can only be prescribed by a qualified vet who has assessed a wild animal fully and has the capacity to treat and monitor following veterinary treatment. This is based on weight, severity of condition and many other factors. There is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ option.
• These medicines, if used inappropriately can harm other animals and our environment and also lead to widespread resistance 
• Parasiticides are designed to be toxic to parasites,  they have the potential to be toxic to wildlife.  Many parasiticides are excreted in faeces where they can be toxic to insects and other wildlife 

* https://www.gov.uk/guidance/retail-of-veterinary-medicines