Red-Neck wallaby joey with severe allergy
March 2010
Tiny joey's such as this little female Red-neck wallaby are unfortunately often orphaned as a result of ar accidents where mum has been killed. If they are rescued straight away and not left in the pouch to go cold they have a good chance of recovery as long as they have not been injured. The pouch is often not damaged in accidents and as such the joey will be unharmed.
This little one was in good condition as the motorist that unfortunately hit mum stopped and called for help, and this is how the joey arrived at Wildlife Mountain.
The first few days went well, joey settled in and we named her Melony after her rescuer.
It soon became apparent that she was allergic to the milk formula, it can happen although it is rare, the formula was immediately changed over to another suitable wallaby milk and she seemed to improve, however her skin looked red and inflamed and as she had not require heat even though she was un furred and only weighed 350 gram her skin condition made little sense.
She was taken to the vet who diagnosed a skin infection possibly caused by her immune system being debilitated as often happens due to stress of orphaning, having had an allergic reaction to the formula would also have lowered her immune system, so she is now being treated for the skin condition.
She is adding good weight, so we hope all will be alright real soon, and will keep you informed as to her condition.
September 2010
Her allergy turned out to anything but simple, she was allergic too all of the early stage wallaby milk formula.
Her skin condition did not react to treatment and it became apparent that her condition was due to her milk allergy.
The pads on her feet became hard and eventually peeled off, this condition is known as Keratosis and usually caused by severe allergy.
After a few weeks in care I found which of the the milk formula that caused her the least reaction and used that, but not until she started to eat solid food did her condition improve.
At no time did she loose her spirit, she was alert and wanted to interact even when tiny with no fur. As she grew fine fur she was put out in the nursery pen still in her pouch, here she met other joey's in care at the time. Luckily joey's do not care how others look, they interacted with her and as she started to emerge from her pouch hopping out and eating solids her condition finally improved. Her milk 
formula was changed to a large macropod formula and her allergy finally took a turn for the better.
Eating lost of solids she finally started to look like a normal healthy Red-Neck wallaby.
It has been a very long road for her as well as myself but all worth it when the animal is willing to fight and has the will to live.
.
September 2010