The toll on wildlife, pets and livestock from the St Patrick’s Day Fires is rising with cats and koalas being brought to vets for treatment.
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Thirteen koalas and eight cats suffering burns have been brought to Terang Veterinary Clinic for treatment, but Dr Craig Wood expects the number of injured koalas to rise extensively.
“Especially through those blue gum plantations. I think the full extent of that isn’t going to be known,” Dr Wood said.
“It’s obviously quite a heavy population in those blue gum plantations.
“The other issue we will see is starvation, dehydration.”
Dr Wood said they hadn’t been able to save all of the koalas who have been brought to the clinic because their injuries were too extensive.
“A good proportion will be have been euthanised,” he said.
Dr Wood, who is also the Noorat CFA captain, said the community had stepped up to help re-home some of the injured cats who suffered burn injuries to their paws, ears, eyes and whiskers.
“The fact that they’re even still alive is amazing because I know how hot it burnt through there,” he said.
Dr Wood said some of the animals would need ongoing care.
“There were some pretty bad parts to the fire and they obviously copped the full brunt,” he said.
He said more animals had been taken to other vet clinics.
Dr Wood said that while vets were providing immediate treatment, carers hold the biggest task.
“As soon as we can get them to carers, we will. Some of them require intravenous treatment,” he said.
