KEY TAKEAWAYS: LSU Vet Med urges pet owners to keep animals indoors during heavy rain and flooding. Flooding can displace wildlife such as snakes, coyotes and bears into neighborhoods. Residents should avoid approaching wildlife and contact licensed rehabilitators for injured animals. LSU Vet Med offers free treatment for injured wildlife brought to its Wildlife Hospital with professional guidance.   Ahead of heavy rain expected for parts of southern Louisiana through the end of the week, Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine warns residents to keep pets inside and away from wildlife displaced by flooding. Wildlife can flee from flooded habitats into neighborhoods, roadways and backyards in a bid to escape rising waters, according to the veterinary school. This can increase the chances of people and their pets encountering creatures like coyotes, bears and other animals. Interacting with wildlife can spread disease or risk injury to people and pets, while flooded areas can conceal hazards like sharp debris and bacteria. Snakes in particular tend to seek higher ground in and around homes, sheds and debris piles in flooded areas, and other animals may be more active around roads at dawn and dusk as they move away from floods. Wildlife found in backyards should be given plenty of space, especially young, uninjured creatures like baby deer that may be hiding in wait for nearby parents. If wildlife is found injured, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries can provide guidance for what to do. The LSU Vet Med Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana can provide medical care to animals brought in, free of charge, but encourages not moving animals without guidance to do so by a licensed rehabilitator or wildlife professional. Further resources to prepare pets for natural disasters can be found at lsu.edu/vetmed under Animal Care and then Disaster Preparedness and Response. ...read more read less