Dog attacks
Lucky to be alive
© Roz Holme
Date: 11-Oct-10
Author: Roz Holme
We went to do a night check on our wildlife and found a very large, female wombat sitting at the gate of the main house yard. The wombat had been attacked by dogs. Both ears were shredded leaving little that even looked like an ear. The wounds were full of maggots, she was thin, in pain and her abdomen was distended.
We couldn't believe the damage ... It was "Lucky", she has been released for a few years but periodically would call in. She had not been seen for few months. Lucky was given pain relief, a sedative and her wounds cleaned that were visible.
She was given a more thorough exam in the morning when there was light to see by. It appeared she had probably been attacked twice as she had older wounds that were healing but the new ones were fresh, only 2-3 days old and she was very thin, much thinner than her very robust appearance on her last visit. She must have been trying for a couple of days to get back home where she could get help.
She was rushed to Kulnura Vet Clinic where I also work, Robin [vet] & I started her on IV fluids, given antibiotics and more pain relief and a complete exam under general anesthesia.
The exam revealed punctures and rips to her belly, two wounds through the pouch that went into the abdomen itself causing an infection in the abdominal cavity called peritonitis. One of the bites had broken one of the epipubic bones off her pelvis. This is the pair of bones that helps support the pouch when there is a Joey in it.
Her abdomen was flushed and fortunately there didn't appear to be any leaking from the intestines. Lucky's abdomen was flushed and dirt and grass seeds as well as numerous maggots were removed. There were adhesions where the intestines were stuck to the wall of the abdomen caused by the trauma and they were gently broken down so as not to cause her pain in the future.
Lucky is getting around the clock nursing care and appears to be slowly on her way to recovery but time will tell. This sort of damage is done by domestic dogs! As wild dingo's will kill and eat what they need, people must know where there dogs are!
On another matter we are still seeing a lot of mange in this area ,can you please ring a wildlife group in your area ! Or us so these wombats can be treated!!
Yes, they can be saved if they are treated early enough, all wildlife is protected ,and can not shot !! And keeping wildlife as pets is also a offence under npw act/ with out a lic/ so please contact trained carers so they can be looked after correctly and released back in the wild where they belong.
Any wombat joeys in this area usually have mange, so must be treated by a vet or experienced carer that knows what treatment these guys need. They may not look like it at first, but will get it later, then they will spread it even further so please contact someone for help.
If joeys are found or seen, so they have a better chance to live a healthy life, any info regarding wildlife please contact us at cedar creek wombat rescue Roz & Kev Holme - 4998 0208 - 0429 482 551 or we can put you in contact with a wildlife group in your area!
Our web site is www.cedarcreekwombatrescue.com
Or Kulnura Vet Clinic 4376 1401 for any wildlife info.
