Investigation and Management of Disease in Wild Animals

- A hypothesis is a proposition, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of a phenomenon, that can be tested. - The basis for scientific investigation is the collection of information to formulate and test hypotheses. - Experimental methods measure the effect of manipulations caused by the investigator; observational methods collect information about naturally occurring events. - There are three sub-types of experimental techniques that differ in the way subjects are chosen for inclusion in the study, in the amount of control that the investigator has over variables, and in the method used to assess changes in other variables. - Descriptive observational studies dominate the early phase of most investigations and involve the description of disease-related events in the population. Associations among factors may be observed but the strength of the associations is not measured. - Analytical observation al techniques are of three basic types: prevalence surveys, case:control studies, and incidence or cohort studies. All attempt to explain the nature of relationships among various factors and to measure the strength of associations. - Prevalence surveys and case:control studies deal with disease existing at the time of the study; incidence studies are concerned with the development of disease over time. - Observational studies may be retrospective, using existing data, or prospective with collection of new information. Front Matter....Pages i-vi Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Disease and Epizootiology — Basic Principles....Pages 3-12 Special Problems in Working with Free-Living Animals....Pages 13-21 Front Matter....Pages 23-23 Identifying and Defining a Disease....Pages 25-38 Collecting Population Data....Pages 39-58 Defining Environmental Factors....Pages 59-72 Formulating and Testing Hypotheses....Pages 73-86 Samples, Sampling and Sample Collection....Pages 87-102 Records and Record Keeping....Pages 103-115 Investigation of Disease Outbreaks and Chronic or Inapparent Disease....Pages 117-128 Front Matter....Pages 129-129 Disease Management — General Principles....Pages 131-137 Management of the Causative Agent/Factor or Its Vector....Pages 139-151 Disease Management through Manipulation of the Host Population....Pages 153-167 Disease Management through Treatment and Immunization....Pages 169-183 Disease Management through Environmental Modification....Pages 185-194 Disease Management through Influencing Human Activities....Pages 195-207 Emergency and Integrated Management Programs....Pages 209-219 Assessing the Effectiveness of a Disease Management Program....Pages 221-231 Back Matter....Pages 233-265 This is the first monograph to offer a general overview of the study and management of disease in wild animal populations. Written by an experienced researcher and teacher, the accessible text will serve as both an introduction to the field and a foundation for future discussion and supplementation