Avian Reptile and Exotic Pet Hospital in Camden, New South Wales, Australia | Veterinary surgeon

Avian Reptile and Exotic Pet Hospital

Locality: Camden, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 2 4655 0798

Address: 415 Werombi Rd 2570 Camden, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.avianreptileandexoticpethospital.com.au/

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25.01.2022 Jaffa is a 4-month-old Mini Lop Rabbit who thought his hop was so big that he would be able to make it up onto a bed Unfortunately, Jaffa fell short and broke his left femur. Jaffa had visited his local vet who then referred him to our expert team for surgery to repair the fracture. Before starting the surgery, we took some x-rays to look at the fracture and elected for a technique called external fixation, which involves creating an external fixator by placing pins insid...e and through the femur to hold the bone together and stabilise it for healing. Specifically, we used a technique called tie-in external fixation. There are alternatives to external fixation, like plaques, but the leg must be amputated in some cases. Vet Dr Lorenzo Crosta and Dr Petra Schnitzer performed the surgery successfully, and Jaffa is recovering well. Check out his post-op photo and x-ray below you can see the bandaged external fixator on his leg. Jaffa will still need to have the external fixator on his leg for several weeks until the fracture shows signs of healing. Fractures without any other complications can potentially heal in 6-8 weeks with this surgery. By then, Jaffa should go back to be a happy bunny but hopefully won’t be attempting any more high jumps in the future! Written by Alex Teh - Final Year Veterinary Student, The University of Sydney.

25.01.2022 Gaga the goose is known as the snob of the flock, she is naturally good at social distancing, but the day she returned home from her recent surgery at AREPH she brought herself into the house and hopped up into her owners lap for a cuddle. Gaga is an important part of her family; she has been cared for by Alison since she was a tiny gosling. Alison has a full house; she is a foster carer for children with special needs and has a miniature pony, 2 dogs, 2 geese, 2 ducks and 17... chickens. The animals play an essential role in the household, they provide the foster children with a positive experience, and in return, their confidence, happiness and emotional well-being grow. When Gaga was showing signs of being sick, Alison brought her in to see the team at AREPH, x-rays and testing revealed that Gaga had swallowed a metal fence clip which was also giving her heavy metal intoxication. There was little hope for Gaga unless she was able to have emergency surgery and intensive care treatment. Alison was heartbroken as she knew there was no way she could afford the operation, and the other option was to euthanise Gaga. Thanks to the University of Sydney's Animals In Need fund, Gaga was able to have her surgery and stay in the hospital to receive the recovery care she needed. Give the gift of giving this Christmas, all donations that we receive go directly to treat the pets of those who can't afford vet care. Visit give.sydney.edu.au/ain to donate online today

24.01.2022 Unfortunately, many of the wild birds that have been bought to AREPH by caring members of the public have broken bones. This week, a magpie has come in with a broken leg. After correcting his dehydration and providing him with some pain relief we found on X-rays that the fracture was in a location which was potentially amenable to repair and return to function. Under anaesthesia, we placed a splint on the broken bone to immobilise the defect and allow it to heal. Dr Petra ...with the help of a final year student was able to surgically place a pin inside the length of the broken bone as an extra layer of stability. The magpie is receiving daily pain relief and has re-gained some lost weight over his time here. We hope that eventually, he will be able to use his leg properly again and return to the wild. Written by Andy Yeh, Final Year Veterinary Student - The University of Sydney.

24.01.2022 We recently had the pleasure of caring for a juvenile rainbow lorikeet, affectionately nicknamed Laurence. Laurence came to AREPH after being found in a local dog’s mouth! He was examined by the veterinary staff and had full x-rays taken to assess his condition. Luckily, Laurence’s canine friend was extremely gentle, his results showed not even a scratch, simply a bit shaken up from his adventure. After some fluids, food and warming up, he showed great signs of improvemen...t. Being young, Laurence can’t fly yet and so will require some special care until he is strong enough to be reintroduced back into the wild! Some fun facts about Rainbow Lorikeets: They have an average lifespan of 10-20 years however have been known to live till 30! The feathers of a rainbow lorikeet are made up of four colours: red, blue, green and orange. They have a special brush-tipped tongue that helps them eat nectar. They also eat pollen, fruit, seeds and insects There are actually 8 species of lorikeet, some of the other species include the coconut lorikeet, red-collared lorikeet, scaly-breasted lorikeet and the purple-crowned lorikeet. Written by Emma McCarthy - Final Year Veterinary Student, The University of Sydney.

23.01.2022 The Bearded Language Have you ever wondered why bearded dragons bob their heads or wave their arms? Well, here are a couple of tips in understanding your bearded dragon’s behaviour. The Head Bob... This is a sign of dominance to show a territorial response, it’s basically a bearded dragon’s way of telling you who’s boss. The faster the head bob, the more threatening the bearded dragon will be. A male bearded dragon may also bob his head as part of a ritual of courtship along with waving his arm and pounding his feet on the ground while trying to impress a female. If the female approves, she will bob her head back, typically at a slower rate. Occasionally, beardie may bob their heads if they are excited or feeling good. The Arm Wave The arm wave serves as a greeting or acknowledgement of the presence of another bearded dragon. This is also a sign of submission when approached by a bigger or more intimidating animal. Similar to the head bob, it can also be a part of mating behaviour. The Beard Fluff Bearded dragons fluff their beards when they are feeling threatened to make themselves seem bigger. Their beards may also turn dark grey or black when they get agitated or defensive. Female dragons may puff up their beard when they are impressed and accept a male for mating. The Beard Pile When you see multiple dragons lying on top of each other, it might look like they love hanging out with each other. However, this is a sign of dominance. The top dragon is the dominant dragon who will likely get the most UV ray. The Gape This is commonly seen when a bearded dragon is basking with his or her mouth open. As they cannot sweat like us, they regulate their temperature by opening their mouth. However, if your beardie is gaping on the cooler side of the tank, and is lethargic or displaying other unusual behaviour, it is advisable to take him or her to the closest exotics vet for veterinary assessment Written by Olivia Phoon - Final Year Veterinary Student, The University of Sydney.

22.01.2022 Just a reminder, we will be closing early today, at 4pm. We will be open tomorrow at the usual time of 9am.

22.01.2022 Backyard chickens are an increasingly popular addition to suburban backyards, especially during COVID-19. Chickens make great pets and can provide hours of entertainment as they scratch around the backyard. Here are our top tips for keeping happy and healthy chooks: Feed a variety of foods, including commercial chicken meal, grains, raw vegetables and fruits, shell grit and access to insects and worms.... Ensure 24/7 access to freshwater; chickens drink up to 4 times more than they eat. Provide housing that includes a coop, where chickens can securely sleep at night; and a run, where chickens can be active and forage during the day. Monitor for sick chooks; look for ruffled, puffed up feathers, closed eyes, noisy breathing, eating or drinking less and laying fewer eggs. And don’t forget - the staff at the Avian, Reptile & Exotic Pet Hospital staff are always here to help you with any backyard chicken health concerns. Written by Frances Zewe, Final Year Veterinary Student - The University of Sydney.

21.01.2022 Did you know your cookware could be putting your bird at risk? Teflon or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) toxicity can be a life-threatening house hazard for your bird. PTFE is a common coating found in non-stick cookware. When this cookware is overheated (above 280oC) and begins to degrade, it begins to release fumes. These fumes are toxic even at low levels. Initially, we may see very non-specific signs such as depression or difficulty breathing and can quickly progress to li...fe-threatening problems including bleeding (haemorrhage), fluid accumulating in the lungs, seizures and rapid death. What can you do to prevent it? Keep cages out of the kitchen If cooking with non-stick cookware cook at medium rather than high heat Throw out any peeling non-stick cookware or; Purchase stainless steel or clay cookware instead Open windows to increase the movement of air within the house while cooking If you have concerns that your bird may be affected, do not hesitate to contact reception on 02 4655 0798 Written by Sanja Filipovic & Lorraine Yip - Final Year Veterinary Students, The University of Sydney.

21.01.2022 ***FOUND*** Young, entire male, dutch rabbit This little guy was found and is in good health, please help him be reunited with his family. Contact our reception on 02 4655 0798 between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday or 9am - 3pm Saturday.

19.01.2022 ***FOUND RABBITT*** We would love to reunite this stray female rabbit with her owners. She was brought to AREPH on Saturday 15th August and was found near St Andrews. She is a very friendly bunny but has server dental disease. Please share this post and hopefully we can find her owners.

18.01.2022 Are you missing an Indian Ringneck Parrot? Please ring our reception on 02 4655 0798, he has some distinctive features you will need to confirm.

17.01.2022 NEWSPAPER NEEDED If anyone is hoarding newspaper we will happily take it off your hands! Please feel free to drop off at AREPH between 9am - 4pm Monday to Friday or Saturday 9am - 2pm

15.01.2022 Meet Spike! He is super excited because he just won the AREPH Christmas photo competition. Thank you to everyone who entered the competition we enjoyed seeing all your feathered, fluffy and scaly pets in the Christmas spirit

15.01.2022 Ever wondered what a koala sounds like? Have you been in the great outdoors and heard this sound before? Yowie? Big Foot? Nope, it's our friendly koala! Koal...as of Raymond Island are full to the brim with koalas to care for and George was not happy to have to share his accommodation. (via ABC Gippsland)

12.01.2022 At AREPH we want to ensure every visit to the clinic is low stress, and a positive experience for your exotic pet. You can help your pet by preparing them for the experience. By using treats and toys as positive reinforcement, you can encourage them to happily and willingly perform behaviours that are necessary for the veterinary visit. We recommend that you practice the following activities. ... 1. Enter a travel carrier. Practice travelling with your pet in the car and carrier a few times before the visit, then return home and give them their favourite treats 2. Step onto a scale to be weighed 3. Step onto the hand of a veterinary staff member (birds) or be comfortable being picked up/carried by someone other than their owner 4. Allow gentle towel restraint We encourage that you call on arrival so that we can make sure a room is ready when you come into the hospital. This helps to avoid species that would induce stress from interacting with each other. (It is also helpful for social distancing during COVID). Written by Jackie Ansel - Final Year Veterinary Student, The University of Sydney.

10.01.2022 Have you thought about bird-proofed your home? Meet Kakakdu, a Long-billed Corella. Over the holidays, Kakadu was quite curious about the Christmas tree, curious enough to nibble on the Christmas lights. His owners observed the next day that he was depressed and not himself. The solid part of his droppings also had changed to a light green colour. He was brought into the hospital for supportive care and examination. Radiographs showed that he had fragments of metal wiring in ...his digestive tract and his liver was also enlarged. Detoxifying drugs and herbal medication were given to help remove the metal toxins from his system to support liver function. After a few days of in-hospital care, he showed marked improvement. Kakadu was lucky only to have moderate symptoms, but bird owners’ should be aware that heavy metal poisoning is quite common and needs to be treated promptly as it can be deadly. Lead is soft and has a sweet taste, making it palatable to many inquisitive birds. Common sources of lead include fishing line sinkers, stained glass, paint in older homes, costume jewellery and even low-quality bird toys. Zinc is another metal birds often eat accidentally. Sources include galvanized wire on cages, metal hardware (screws, bolts, etc.), and pennies after 1982 if you have American coins! Signs of heavy intoxication include spitting up food, diarrhea, lethargy, increased drinking, weakness progressing to paralysis, seizures, and change in the colour of droppings. If you note any of these changes or suspect your bird has eaten something it shouldn’t have, ring your vet as soon as you can as prompt treatment can be lifesaving. For more tips on keeping your feathered friend healthy, visit https://www.aav.org/page/birdowners for guides on bird care. Written by Stephanie Blank, Final Year Veterinary Student - The University of Sydney.

07.01.2022 **FOUND** An adult female Galah was brought in AREPH yesterday. She is not microchipped but has a closed metal ring which the owner will need to identify. Please contact reception on 02 4655 0798 if she belongs to you or your know her owner.

07.01.2022 NEWSPAPER NEEDED Do you have excess newspapers lying around? We are running low and would greatly appreciate them! Please drop off between 9am and 5pm Monday - Friday or Saturday 9am - 1pm.

07.01.2022 The new way to desex your ferret Desexing ferrets has many benefits for both you and your pet. It can prevent female ferrets from developing bone marrow suppression, reduces aggression in male ferrets, and can even minimize the musky smell they are known for. Traditionally ferrets undergo surgical desexing just like in dogs and cats. However, new research is emerging about how surgical desexing in ferrets may be linked to increased risk of adrenal disease later in life.... We recommend to chemically desex your ferret with an implant called deslorelin instead. This implant is easily inserted similar to a microchip injection. It works by releasing a hormone which prevents high levels of reproductive hormones from being produced. Each implant can last over 12-18 months before replacement! How easy is that? All the benefits of desexing without the increased risk of adrenal disease and the surgery! Written by Sophie Haworth - Final Year Veterinary Student, The University of Sydney.

02.01.2022 It's Dental Month To celebrate we are giving one lucky person a chance to win a FREE dental treatment at AREPH valued at up to $400! Simply enter your details at http://www.avianreptileandexoticpethospital.com.au/dental-/ Good Luck!