Den's Animal Hospital

[den]

Eastern Grey Kangaroo joey, about 3 months old. This was taken just after I picked him up from the people caring for him. They'd hit his mum with their car and rescued him from the pouch. He'd been fed cow mlk because they were well meaning, but the lactose is dangerous for a marsupial. He's with his new mum now and growing fast.



Kaye bat just after I got her, showing the injury to her leg.





Her leg is healing nicely and is no longer an open wound.


Tomorrow, termites, echidnas and dogs.

Comments

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[xenophon.livejournal.com]

Look at how the eyes are solid black. A sure sign of evil if I ever saw one! It lures you in with it's seemingly cute nature, then like the rest of Australia's wildlife, viciously attacks you!

Pure evil.

[ngarewyrd.livejournal.com]

Ye gods! that's a HUGE gash for such a tiny little creature, I'm guessing she's lucky to be still around with a mark like that..

[kelloggs2066.livejournal.com]

Wow!

Those claws are HUGE! What do they use 'em for?
They look big enough to be offensive, rather than
defensive.

WOW!

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

In males they're used for fighting each other, and both sexes use them while defending against attackers. rown kangaroos and NOT cute and cuddly.

[betnoir.livejournal.com]

So what kind of replacement formula is good for joey tummies?

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

Carers buy a lactose-free formula called DaiVet-a-lact, and add different vitamin supplments depending on the age and species of the joey.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Cute widdle 'roo. :)

Did the bat gash heal on its own, or did it need a stitch or a bandage or something?

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

The vet gave me a non-toxic antiseptic eye-ointment to put on, and ths cut has scabbed up nicely. She'll have a scar, of course, but I'm happy with the way it's going.

[deebee.livejournal.com]

joey is adorable, but i too have noticed the SHARP claws on the little guy.... break out the finger nail clippers!!!!

[tavella.livejournal.com]

How do they foster joeys? Do they just stick them in the pouch and once they smell like her, mom is okay?

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

Old sweaters with the arms and neck sown shut make excellent pouches. Since the joey does its business in the pouch, you'll go through 2 or three a day. Carers are constantly cleaning and washing and that's where the work comes into it.

Everyone ends up building some sort of contraption to hold the bottle during feed time. That's how they feed a bunch of joeys. Afterward, the little ones hop around for a while until the world becomes too scary, then it's back into the pouch for them.

it takes 12 months to raise a joey to release size.

[lizardling.livejournal.com]

it's times like these when I remember the toy 'roo I had as a kid. Made out of real kangaroo fur. Named her Leila, and her joey was named Chase. We pretended her pouch was like a TARDIS, with a Top Secret HQ inside. :D

Cute joey, but I remember hearing about the popular (?) opinion of 'roos by people in Oz -- vermin, etc. Are Eastern Grey kangaroos endangered?

also, the bat -- it's good she's recovering. that's a really nasty gash.

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

Grey and Red kangaroos are in no way endangered, in fact they're culled for pet food. We get odd looks from farmers when we tell them what we're caring for.

But someone has to. We're like the people who look after hedgehogs.

[claire.livejournal.com]

Den, I've probably never mentioned it, but I'm so glad there are people like you in this world...

(also, poor Kaye bat - but she is cute ;)

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

thanks. 8)

And Kaye is fat and sleepy and relaxing in the tent. She's doing well.

[wabbitcalif.livejournal.com]

Hey, even if 'Roos don't grow up cuddly, they sure look cuddly at first.... and I love your freckles, btw!