30/10/2026
A wildlife carer contacted Mount Barker Wildlife Hospital regarding an adult female Western Grey Kangaroo (WGK) that had developed noticeable swelling on the right side of her face, particularly behind the eye and along the cheekbone.
The kangaroo had been hand-raised approximately seven years ago and was well known to her carer. The facial swelling was a new development, although there were initially no obvious signs of a fracture or injury to the jaw.
Following the initial assessment, the carer was advised to keep the kangaroo in an enclosure and monitor her closely over the next few days. The swelling may have been associated with an insect bite or sting, but ongoing observation was important to determine whether it resolved.
The carer also noticed that she was less interested in food than usual, although she continued to feed her joey, who remained safely in her pouch.
When the swelling had not improved by Tuesday, a veterinary assessment was arranged. Dr Theresa attended the following day to undertake a more thorough examination.
Sedation was required to allow a thorough examination of the oral cavity. Multiple X-rays were taken to investigate the swelling, assess the teeth and jaw, and establish exactly what we were dealing with.
Even with the imaging, the cause was not immediately clear. What appeared to be a potentially dislodged or displaced tooth was identified as a possible problem, but it wasn't until the surgical examination and removal that we discovered something quite unexpected.
The object turned out to be a piece of chicken bone lodged in the gum, rather than a tooth as initially suspected. It is thought the kangaroo had picked it up while foraging and subsequently chewed on it.
A second, loose tooth was also identified and removed.
The lodged bone had caused a significant infection, resulting in a large abscess. There was considerable drainage of pus and blood during the procedure.
There is a poultry farm in the surrounding area and foxes, and discarded poultry remains can sometimes be found in bushland where wildlife forage. This highlights another potential hazard for free-ranging wildlife.
Why is this important?
Oral injuries and dental problems in wildlife can be difficult to identify, particularly in kangaroos, which may continue behaving relatively normally despite significant discomfort.
Facial swelling, changes in eating habits, reduced food intake and loss of body condition can all indicate an underlying problem.
An abscess can develop when bacteria enter damaged tissue. Without appropriate treatment, infection can progress, resulting in ongoing pain, difficulty eating and deterioration in overall condition and if not treated results in death.
By the time this kangaroo was examined, she had lost considerable condition and was quite thin. We have no idea how long this bone had been lodged in her gums.
Treatment involved:
Surgical removal of the foreign object.
Removal of the loose tooth.
Drainage of the abscess.
Long-acting pain relief.
Anti-inflammatory medication.
Antibiotic treatment.
One very positive sign was that she began eating almost immediately after waking from sedation. Her appetite has returned with enthusiasm!
She remains under observation while her recovery, food intake and general condition are monitored.
Throughout the examination and procedure, her joey remained safely in her pouch.
A few important reminders
This case demonstrates why changes in behaviour, appetite or physical appearance should never be dismissed. Facial swelling is not necessarily the result of a bite, sting or physical trauma. Dental injuries, foreign bodies and underlying infections should also be considered.
It is also a reminder of the importance of securing food waste, poultry remains and other rubbish so that wildlife cannot access potentially harmful materials.
Our sincere thanks to Dr Theresa for her veterinary expertise and for providing the treatment this kangaroo needed.
Without surgical intervention, the infection would have continued to progress, with potentially fatal consequences for both mother and joey.
And finally, we would like to introduce her little girl, Mila (pronounced mee-lah). Her name means loved one and is associated with miracles.
Because every life matters.
