Wildlife Rescue Using Natural Medicine

The Wildlife Rescue Association of BC has been treating a patient in a rather unconventional way.

In fall 2001, a car struck an adult, female raccoon. She arrived at the Wildlife Rescue care centre blind, with her muscles completely locked and in a coma-like condition resulting from trauma to the central nervous system. Initially, staff fed her by hand three times a day. It was the only way she could eat.

The raccoon improved slowly and it seemed an ideal time to work with a medical herbalist, Kerry Hacket. Wildlife Rescue was already incorporating natural methods into some of its treatments. (Earlier, herbal and nutritional treatment had proven useful with an injured squirrel.) Kerry designed a nutritional program that not only corresponded with the raccoon's natural diet, but also included oils and nutrients to help repair the damage sustained from her accident. The raccoon was also given a blend of herbs to strengthen her immune system, increase blood flow to the brain, promote muscle relaxation and generally support nerve tissue.

In conjunction with the new diet and herbs, hydrotherapy treatments further worked to relax the muscles and help the raccoon regain mobility. Warm water was used to increase blood circulation, and since raccoons naturally stretch out their arms and reach for objects in water, this treatment had a noticeable effect.

All this hard work made a significant difference. The raccoon regained movement and recovered her balance, co-ordination and agility. Even her eyesight returned. How much of this is due to her natural healing powers and how much to these alternative methods is not known.

The raccoon spent the winter at Wildlife Rescue. And at time of print, we're planning to release her back into the wild in time to find a mate and go on with her life. In the meantime, Wildlife Rescue continues to successfully employ alternative therapies for wildlife in need.