All over Australia domestic cats and dogs terrorise the local native wildlife. Many birds, reptiles and marsupials that have fallen prey to people's pets are brought into us. Many deaths can be avoided through responsible cat and dog ownership. We do our best to treat those we can but many die and far more are killed or maimed that don't receive veterinary attention. Below are just a few of the more recent cases we have received.

This juvenile Common Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) was attacked by a dog.  It had puncture wounds to its chest, legs and head.  The possum died shortly after being brought in as its internal injuries and shock from the attack were too severe to be treated.

This awesome male Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii) was attacked by a dog. It had numerous puncture wounds and a badly torn frill. Its wounds were cleaned and the frill trimmed and sutured. After surgery it had a hole in its frill (as you can see if you look carefully in the picture) but he could still raise his frill normally so it should not adversely affect it back in the wild.  After a couple of weeks recovering in hospital the lizard was released back to near where it came from.

This gorgeous female Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) was savagely mauled by two dogs it had a punctured lung, a couple of broken ribs and several nasty puncture wounds on its flanks and a deep penetrating wound on its belly.  The monitor was X-rayed, its wounds flushed, cleaned and sutured and after a month in care on fluids and antibiotics it was released back into the wild!    

A cat mauled this awesome Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii).  It had puncture wounds to its body and legs.  It was initially on antibiotics and remained in hospital for a couple of weeks before it was released back to near where it came from.

This cool Krefft's Short-necked Turtle (Emydura krefftii) was mauled by dogs not only did it lose chunks of shell it also lost 6 claws.  These turtles are common around Townsville living in freshwater creeks, rivers and lagoons but they often get themselves into trouble when they leave the water and are often the victims of dog or cat attacks or get hit by cars.  After a long stay in hospital this turtle was eventually released back into the wild.

This ugly little critter is an orphaned Northern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus).  It's mum was attacked and killed by dogs.  In this picture it is about 35 days old and getting fed every 3 hours, 24 hours a day by a very experienced (and dedicated) veterinary nurse.  Unfortunately this little guy didn't make it.

This Green Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis punctulata) was attacked by a cat and sustained multiple puncture wounds along its body and tail. This lucky snake was treated with a course of antibiotics and kept in hospital while it recovered from its injuries. It has since been released back into the wild.

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