Emergencies don’t discriminate. They can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. That’s the nature of our work as an after-hours vet clinic – we never know who will come through our doors needing help. And that’s how we met Dexter the wombat.
Late one evening, one of the wonderful volunteers from Wildcare arrived at our clinic with Dexter in tow. He had been found lying on his side, injured and struggling to move. Visible wounds covered his body, and the strong scent of infection lingered around him. Given the location where he was found and his symptoms, we strongly suspected he had been hit by a car – one of the most common wildlife emergencies we see. With that in mind, we knew a thorough examination and detailed diagnostics were essential. Moving vehicles can cause devastating internal injuries, even to strong, stocky creatures like wombats.
Understandably, Dexter wasn’t happy. He was in pain, stressed, and no doubt frightened. As a wild animal, he had no way of knowing we were here to help. To keep him as calm as possible, we moved him into a quiet, dimly lit room and gave him time to adjust to his new surroundings. Our skilled veterinary team also administered mild sedatives – an important step in ensuring a stress-free diagnostic process, not just for our patients but also for the safety of our team.
With concerns about potential broken bones or internal injuries, we prepared Dexter for X-rays. Radiographs are one of the best tools we have for assessing trauma cases quickly. As we worked, we found more wounds on his face, one of which was badly infected, with pus oozing from the site. We had no idea then what that wound truly meant, nor what we were about to discover.
When the X-rays appeared on the screen, our hearts sank. No amount of experience in emergency veterinary care could have prepared us for what we saw.
Bullets.
Multiple bullets were lodged inside Dexter’s body. Someone had shot him. We don’t know how long he suffered, how many days he spent in pain, or why anyone would do such a thing. What we do know is that no animal should have to endure such cruelty. No living being should be left to suffer, slowly succumbing to infection and trauma. It was heartbreaking.
But we refused to let that be the end of Dexter’s story. While he was still under sedation, we got to work. We cleaned his wounds, removed multiple ticks, treated his infections, and provided him with the medications he needed to fight off further complications. And what about the bullets? That’s where another veterinary superhero stepped in.
The incredible team at West Queanbeyan Veterinary Hospital took on Dexter’s case, performing the delicate surgery required to remove multiple .22 calibre bullet fragments from his face. Like so many vet teams across the ACT and beyond, they go above and beyond to care for not just pets but also our precious wildlife. Their kindness and dedication gave Dexter the chance he deserved – a chance to heal, recover, and one day return to the wild where he belongs.
But what kind of world is he returning to?
That’s why we’re sharing Dexter’s story. Because we believe in the power of kindness. We believe in the difference that one person can make. And we believe that change starts with us.
If you see something, don’t look away. Don’t walk past an animal in distress. Speak up, take action, and be the force for good this world so desperately needs. Our choices matter. Choose kindness. Choose compassion.
If you ever come across injured wildlife, there are dedicated organisations ready to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to incredible volunteer groups like ACT Wildlife, Wildcare, WIRES, or Wombat Rescue. And if you want to make a real difference, consider joining them. Because together, we can create a world where animals are safe, valued, and free from harm.
