Krissy looks way better, even his eye is improving fast so hopefully this was all trauma related. I took this photo after I did his eye treatment. Thank you for so many messages of concern for him, he has a huge backing that will have to help!
Immediate fav , and such good news - so glad that he is responding well to treatment an lets hope the chlamydia results will be negative . Love the surprised look on his dear little face - fab and a fav
@vignouse Krissy does NOT like being touched, so yes it takes some skill to get the ointment into his eye :)
Firstly approaching from behind is important, yeah I can't see the eye, but you can imagine trying to put your hand towards all the sharp bits at the front!
Secondly, you kind of place the hand over the top of the head, the ointment is on a gloved index finger. I use my middle finger to the quickly locate the eye by feel, and swap to put the index finger over the eye. I put the ointment in a line along the finger, about as long as the koala eye from corner to corner. Press firmly onto the eye, and they tend to wriggle which completes the deposit :)
All this is done quite fast and almost in a single movement when you have a little spitfire like Krissy.
And of course it is all done with them in a log perch surrounded by leaves, so it all adds to the excitement.
However, it is important to just be fast, firm and quiet. I don't speak to him at all, just go in quietly and do the job. This helps reduce stress enormously as koalas do not socialise, so they don't want someone fussing around them and looking at them directly and talking all the time. It also helps keep them wild as they are barely handled for the treatment to be done.
@kchuk their fur is very soft, and it is incredibly thick and lush. This is why they were killed in their millions - the pelts were highly prized and worth a lot of money because of the softness, but also the water proof nature of the coat too.
It’s wonderful to see Krissy looking so alert and healthy. A great shot. Fav. Oh and thank you for all the extra information about how you go about treating him.
j
a lovely close up.
Firstly approaching from behind is important, yeah I can't see the eye, but you can imagine trying to put your hand towards all the sharp bits at the front!
Secondly, you kind of place the hand over the top of the head, the ointment is on a gloved index finger. I use my middle finger to the quickly locate the eye by feel, and swap to put the index finger over the eye. I put the ointment in a line along the finger, about as long as the koala eye from corner to corner. Press firmly onto the eye, and they tend to wriggle which completes the deposit :)
All this is done quite fast and almost in a single movement when you have a little spitfire like Krissy.
And of course it is all done with them in a log perch surrounded by leaves, so it all adds to the excitement.
However, it is important to just be fast, firm and quiet. I don't speak to him at all, just go in quietly and do the job. This helps reduce stress enormously as koalas do not socialise, so they don't want someone fussing around them and looking at them directly and talking all the time. It also helps keep them wild as they are barely handled for the treatment to be done.
Sounds like he is very well looked after.