Murdoch's Wildlife Clinic in high demand

Murdoch University’s Wildlife Clinic sees an array of native animals including snakes, bandicoots, quolls - and yesterday Roxy the koala, who is now back on the road to recovery after two-centimetre-wide bladder stone was removed.

Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Phil Payne, said the clinic has seen more than 300 patients since its opening in May this year.

“There is certainly demand for us to operate at least five days a week, and we could certainly do more if we had greater resources,” Mr Payne said.

“Currently we’re only open two days, with wildlife veterinarian Cree Monaghan doing a fantastic job.

“I’m proud of what our Wildlife Clinic has achieved in a very short time with limited resources, but we are now struggling to cope with demand.”

Dr Monaghan said the clinic did as much as it could for every patient.

“Wildlife can’t really choose the times they get injured, so obviously only operating two days a week is a bit restrictive,” she said.

“The limited resources mean our wildlife clinic section of the hospital can only treat a limited number of native animals, so it currently operates like a wildlife triage to referring veterinary clinics and wildlife rehabilitation services.”

She said treating native animals was expensive, and much of the equipment and also some of the funding for the surgical procedures came from the generosity of donors to the Murdoch University Veterinary Trust’s Wild At Heart: Caring for Wildlife Giving Program.

“Yesterday we operated on Roxy the koala for a bladder stone using laparoscopic surgery, very similar to what is done in people,” Dr Monaghan said.

Mr Payne said the hospital would certainly like to expand the clinic in the future.

“Western Australians love their native animals and I am sure that they would like to see an expanded wildlife service here,” he said.

“I am hopeful that, as more money becomes available, we will be able to establish a dedicated, state-of-the-art wildlife hospital and offer a second chance to a greater number of ill and injured native animals.

“It’s not only good for the wildlife, but it’s provided a tremendous learning experience for our veterinary students here at the university in preparation for their future careers.

“The exposure to wildlife means when they’re out practicing in their own clinics they’ll be able to make the best decisions for the health of native animals that may be brought in to them.”

Roxy the koala has now returned home to the Marapana Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandurah.