Read about some of our previous patients...
|
|
Shell Rot in Turtles
We have seen a few turtles with a condition known as shell rot. Shell rot is the common way to say a turtle has an infection of its shell, which can be secondary to fractures or injuries of the shell. This turtle (Isaac) came into the clinic with small healing fractures of his shell but the entire carapace (top of shell) was covered in dark green moss and was very smelly. He had a betadine bath to scrub off all the bacteria and moss. Once all the debris were removed, Isaac was started on an injectable antibiotic and a topical cream to help treat the infection of his shell. Because turtles with cracks in their shell can not go into water they have to be dry docked. This means they can only go in shallow water for an hour or two a day. Because most turtles only eat in the water we had to place a feeding tube, which is done under anesthetic. This tube allows us to feed the turtle regularly which helps give them the energy they need to heal.
Isaac was released after two months of treatment.
We have seen a few turtles with a condition known as shell rot. Shell rot is the common way to say a turtle has an infection of its shell, which can be secondary to fractures or injuries of the shell. This turtle (Isaac) came into the clinic with small healing fractures of his shell but the entire carapace (top of shell) was covered in dark green moss and was very smelly. He had a betadine bath to scrub off all the bacteria and moss. Once all the debris were removed, Isaac was started on an injectable antibiotic and a topical cream to help treat the infection of his shell. Because turtles with cracks in their shell can not go into water they have to be dry docked. This means they can only go in shallow water for an hour or two a day. Because most turtles only eat in the water we had to place a feeding tube, which is done under anesthetic. This tube allows us to feed the turtle regularly which helps give them the energy they need to heal.
Isaac was released after two months of treatment.
|
|
|
Major Orthopedic Surgery
This small fella was found in the carpark of the Belair Hotel in the Adelaide Hills late one night with severe life threatening injuries to his leg. Treatment began immediately followed by 3 hours of surgery performed by Dr Scott Rose and Dr Phil Hutt at SA Veterinary Referrals. The procedure involved pinning 3 fractures in his leg and stabilising with an external ring fixture. This is the first time this type of repair has been done on a koala in South Australia and possibly the country.
The extensive work and care given by our dedicated team saw this koala recover well. The pins were removed approximately 8 weeks later and he was a great prospect for release.
This small fella was found in the carpark of the Belair Hotel in the Adelaide Hills late one night with severe life threatening injuries to his leg. Treatment began immediately followed by 3 hours of surgery performed by Dr Scott Rose and Dr Phil Hutt at SA Veterinary Referrals. The procedure involved pinning 3 fractures in his leg and stabilising with an external ring fixture. This is the first time this type of repair has been done on a koala in South Australia and possibly the country.
The extensive work and care given by our dedicated team saw this koala recover well. The pins were removed approximately 8 weeks later and he was a great prospect for release.
|
|
|
Eye Removal
This adult male koala was hit by a car and his left eye was badly damaged. Unfortunately it had ruptured and could not be saved. Lucky for him koalas do not need perfect vision to 'hunt' eucalyptus leaves so the decision was made to remove his eye so it didn't cause chronic pain.
The surgery was performed to remove his eye and he was later, when we knew his stitches had healed well.
This adult male koala was hit by a car and his left eye was badly damaged. Unfortunately it had ruptured and could not be saved. Lucky for him koalas do not need perfect vision to 'hunt' eucalyptus leaves so the decision was made to remove his eye so it didn't cause chronic pain.
The surgery was performed to remove his eye and he was later, when we knew his stitches had healed well.
|
|
Fracture Repair
Charlie's mother had been hit by a car, and unfortunately passed away. After checking Charlie over we realised he had a broken arm which needed to be repaired and some lung bruising. We strapped his arm to get him through the weekend and provided pain relief and off he went with wonderful Fauna Rescue Carers, Anne and Don. He was then taken to the Marion Animal Hospital for surgical repair of his fracture by our team of nurses and vets, including Dr Ru, Dr Phil and Dr Sheridan. He received many weeks of care with Anne and Don before returning to have his external fixator removed. He was successfully released back to the wild after a full recovery.
Charlie's mother had been hit by a car, and unfortunately passed away. After checking Charlie over we realised he had a broken arm which needed to be repaired and some lung bruising. We strapped his arm to get him through the weekend and provided pain relief and off he went with wonderful Fauna Rescue Carers, Anne and Don. He was then taken to the Marion Animal Hospital for surgical repair of his fracture by our team of nurses and vets, including Dr Ru, Dr Phil and Dr Sheridan. He received many weeks of care with Anne and Don before returning to have his external fixator removed. He was successfully released back to the wild after a full recovery.
