Fluid therapy for orphaned eastern grey kangaroo joeys

Warm the joey to Removed: 35°C Added: 36°C before offering any oral fluids. Use isotonic electrolyte solution at 10% bodyweight over 24 hours, divided into Removed: 4 Added: 6 feeds. Do not offer milk replacer until fully rehydrated and passing urine.

• −Removed: Cold joeys cannot metabolise fluids and will aspirate. Rewarming to core temperature of 35°C must precede all oral intake.
• −Removed: Vytrate or equivalent balanced electrolyte at bodyweight × 10% over 24 hours. Divide into 4 feeds via teat appropriate to pouch stage.
• −Removed: Transition to species-appropriate milk replacer only once hydration confirmed by skin tent and mucous membrane colour.
• +Added: Cold joeys cannot metabolise fluids and will aspirate. Rewarming to core temperature of 36°C must precede all oral intake.
• +Added: Vytrate or equivalent balanced electrolyte at bodyweight × 10% over 24 hours. Divide into 6 evenly-spaced feeds via teat appropriate to pouch stage.
• +Added: Transition to species-appropriate milk replacer (Wombaroo <0.4 or >0.4) only once hydration confirmed by skin tent, mucous membrane colour, and observed urination.

• ·Do not offer cow's milk or lactose-containing formula at any stage.
• ·Do not tube-feed unless trained and the joey has a confirmed suckle response.