Treating patients @Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital

Lettuce the Agile Wallaby Joey - Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital Patient Story                                

Age: Juvenile

Sex: Female    Weight: 860gm

Found: Lettuce was sadly left an orphan after her mum was hit by a car in Gatton, QLD.

Transported to: The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital by a kind member of the public.

Veterinary Assessment: Dr Claude was on duty to assess Lettuce when she arrived. After a thorough examination and x-rays under anaesthetic, Dr Claude found that Lettuce had some bruising, but had thankfully escaped any fractures.

Treatment: Lettuce was given pain medication and fluids to aid recovery and was then transferred to the small animals ICU for close observation.

Future: Lettuce was transferred to a registered wildlife carer to raise her until she reaches independence. After this, Lettuce will be returned to her home-range in the wild but safely away from roads and other threats.

AZWH Fact: Agile Wallabies are easily recognised by their sandy brown or reddish colour. They have a distinctive black stripe down the middle of their eyes and ears and light coloured cheeks.

Links:

• http://wildlifewarriors.org.au/

Age: Sub Adult                  Sex: Unknown                 Weight: 950gm

Found: On the ground at Rainbow Beach, QLD. Zulu had tried to eat a cooked chicken carcass discarded on the ground and some of the bones had pierced through his head and mouth.

Transported to: The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital by an RSPCA inspector.

Veterinary Assessment: Dr Jackie could immediately see the chicken bones had caused considerable damage. Zulu had suffered a fractured jaw and had two bones piercing through his head and mouth. After further examination and x-rays under anaesthetic, Dr Jackie also found a small sharp bone fragment in his stomach.

Treatment: Dr Jackie removed all the bones from his head and mouth and sutured his wounds. Fortunately Zulu was able to dissolve the bone in his stomach without causing any damage. After strapping his mouth to support his jaw fracture, Zulu was given pain medication, antibiotics and fluids and was placed in a heated terrarium in the reptile ICU for recovery.

Future: Zulu will be kept under close observation whilst his wounds and fracture heals. Once he has made a full recovery he will be released back into the wild but away from any potential risks.

AZWH Fact: A lace monitor’s diet usually consists of small animals however they are also scavengers and will feed on dead animals. It is extremely important to dispose of rubbish correctly to avoid any wildlife becoming injured.