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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 6pm Thursday 8:30am - 6pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9pm - 6pm Sunday 10am - 6pm

https://www.unusualpetvets.com.au/

The Unusual Pet Vets, Shop 1/62 Looranah Street, Jindalee, Brisbane (2025)

07/10/2025

🐹 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗽: 𝗡𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 🩻

Meet Nugget, a sweet 5-year-old guinea pig whose family grew concerned after noticing she was limping on one of her back legs. Wanting to make sure she was okay, they brought her to our Gold Coast clinic to see Dr Dean.

On examination, Dr Dean found that Nugget’s right knee was very sore. She was so uncomfortable that it was difficult to examine her properly without causing pain. To find the cause of her lameness and ensure she could safely receive pain relief, Dr Dean recommended an anaesthetic for x-rays and a blood test.

Our expert nursing team Vet Tech Bec and Nurse Leah kept a close eye on Nugget during procedure and recovery, and true to her name, Nugget wasted no time tucking into syringe-fed food to get her appetite going again!

The x-ray results brought both relief and answers. Nugget had no fractures or dislocations, but was diagnosed with severe arthritis in both back legs, particularly her right. Thankfully, her bloodwork showed her kidneys were healthy, meaning she could safely receive effective pain relief to help her feel comfortable again.

Nugget is now home with her loving family and guinea pig friends, moving about with much more ease and comfort.

🐾 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄? Joint supplements can help small pets like guinea pigs live longer and more comfortable lives! Specially formulated small mammal treats with joint support ingredients can be given from adulthood to help keep those little legs moving well into their senior years.

Clinic: Gold Coast
www.unusualpetevets.com.au

05/10/2025

🐹 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘁’𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸-𝗨𝗽 🩺

Peanut the guinea pig visited our Jindalee clinic after his vigilant owner noticed a rapidly growing lump under his chin. During his examination, wediscovered pus around Peanut's lower incisors, raising concerns that the "lump" was actually an abscess caused by a tooth root infection.

To investigate further, Peanut was booked in for radiographs. Dental imaging like x-rays or CT scans are incredibly useful, helping us detect problems like tooth root disease, middle ear disease, or even arthritis in the temporo-mandibular joint (jaw). Thankfully, Peanut's radiographs came back clear, and he was ready for surgery.

Dr Liz performed a marsupialisation of the abscess. During this procedure, the abscess is opened and drained, then sutured to create a small pouch that allows ongoing flushing and drainage while healing. A sample was also sent for culture and sensitivity testing, ensuring Peanut received the best possible antibiotic treatment.

Peanut recovered beautifully and went home with daily wound-care instructions. We're thrilled to share that he's now fully healed, and his fur grew back so quickly you'd never know he'd had surgery!

Clinic: Jindalee
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

04/10/2025

🌏✨ 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆! 🦜🐇🦎🐋 🐘

Today, we honour the beauty, diversity, and importance of animals in our world. From the pets who share our homes to the wildlife that keep our ecosystems thriving, every creature deserves kindness, protection, and respect. 💚

02/10/2025

🦦 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 📆

Wednesday, a lovely ferret, visited our Adelaide clinic for a general health check and dental assessment after her owners noticed she was avoiding certain foods. Examining ferret's mouth can be challenging due to their tendency to bite, so dental checks are usually performed during a full health examination. On this occasion, dental disease was identified, and a scale and polish under general anaesthesia was scheduled.

On the day of the procedure (which of course was a Wednesday!), our friendly ferret was anaesthetised and placed on intravenous fluid therapy. An endotracheal tube was inserted to secure her airway, provide oxygen, and deliver isoflurane anaesthesia. She remained under anaesthesia for around 30 minutes, allowing the team to complete the dental treatment safely.

Each tooth was carefully examined, and gingival pockets were probed to assess disease progression. Gingival recession was noted on her canines, and heavy calculus was present on the carnassial teeth at the back of the mouth. Calculus was removed from all affected teeth using an ultrasonic scaler, and the teeth were then polished to smooth the surfaces and slow future tartar build-up.

For post-operative comfort, Wednesday received an injection of pain relief. She recovered smoothly from anaesthesia and was able to return home later the same day.

Following dental procedures, it is recommended that ferrets have dental checks every six months to monitor tartar build-up and determine if another scale and polish may be needed in the future.

Clinic: Adelaide
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

02/10/2025

🐰 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝗻’𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀? 🤔

Meet Bun, a beautiful lop-eared rabbit, who was brought to our Canberra clinic after her owners noticed some concerning lumps developing on one side of her face. She appeared uncomfortable and had been scratching at the affected area at home.

During her consultation, a thorough examination revealedtwo adjacent abscesses. Fortunately, these did not appear to involve the underlying muscles, bone, or dental structures. To prevent further discomfort and complications, the decision was made to explore and remove them surgically.

Under the care of Dr Daniella, with nurse Katie assisting, Bun was anaesthetised using a combination of injectable and gaseous agents to ensure a safe and smooth procedure. The area was shaved and aseptically prepared before Dr Daniella carefully debrided the infected tissue and drained the purulent material (pus). At the centre of one abscess, a small piece of hay was discovered, likely the culprit, having penetrated the tissue and triggering the localised infection.

There was no evidence that the abscesses communicated with Bun’s dental structures, supporting the theory that these were soft tissue in origin. The surgical sites were thoroughly flushed and closed, and samples were submitted for culture and sensitivity testing to guide Bun’s ongoing antimicrobial treatment.

We’re delighted to report that Bun has made a full recovery and is now back to her bright and happy self at home, completely lump-free and comfortable once again.

Clinic: Canberra
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

01/10/2025

🦜 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘅’𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 😳

Beautiful Phoenix was brought in by her very observant dad after he noticed something unusual with her foot. On closer inspection, a strand of hair had become tightly wrapped around her foot and leg, cutting off circulation and causing pain.

Our wonderful nurses, Amanda and Sita, carefully removed the hair and gently bathed her foot with Betadine to clean the area. The hair had been so tight that it had actually cut into the skin near the top of her foot.

Dr Holly then gave Phoenix a full health check and assessed the injury. Fortunately, apart from the wound, Phoenix was in great health - such a brave little patient!

Constrictions like hair, thread, or synthetic fibres can be incredibly dangerous to birds and small animals. They can cut off blood flow, cause serious tissue damage, and lead to infections if left untreated. It’s always important to check your pets, especially those with small feet like birds, for any signs of swelling, discolouration, or injury.

We’re so glad Phoenix’s dad acted quickly. Thanks to his fast response and the care she received, Phoenix is now on the road to recovery.

Clinic: Murdoch
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

30/09/2025

🐓 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵'𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆 😮‍💨

Kath, the Silkie chicken, came to our Sunshine Coast clinic with difficulty breathing and discharge from her nostrils and beak. An upper respiratory tract infection was suspected, and a sample of the discharge was submitted for bacterial culture to guide appropriate antibiotic treatment.

On assessment of Kath’s throat, we discovered pus partially blocking her trachea (windpipe). To help Kath breathe normally again, this material needed to be carefully removed. Dr Pat and nurse Rhiannan administered a general anaesthetic and placed an air sac catheter.

Unlike mammals, birds do not have a diaphragm, and their lungs do not expand as they breathe. Instead, they have a series of air sacs that act as bellows to push air through their rigid lungs. An air sac catheter is a tube surgically placed into one of these air sacs, allowing the bird to breathe through the tube rather than their mouth. This technique enables procedures on the upper respiratory tract to be performed safely, without the risk of suffocation.

Once the air sac catheter was in place, Dr Pat carefully removed the pus that was blocking Kath’s windpipe. An endoscope, was used to thoroughly inspect the trachea to ensure no further material remained; fortunately, it was clear. Before removing the catheter, Dr Pat temporarily blocked its end to check Kath could breathe comfortably on her own. Once this was confirmed, the air sac catheter was removed, and Kath was ready for discharge.

At her follow-up visit, Kath’s owners reported that she was like a new bird after having her respiratory infection successfully managed.

Clinic: Sunshine Coast
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

29/09/2025

🐰 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘀: 🥊 𝗪𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘃𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗼 🥊

Waffles visited our Osborne Park clinic after an altercation with his brother, Theo. Unfortunately, Theo came off the winner, leaving Waffles with several injuries.

Little Waffles had sustained injuries to his eyelids as well as a large laceration between his legs. The eyelid injuries required careful suturing to protect the eyes and ensure they remained healthy. Dr Laurence first sutured the eyelids, taking great care not to make them too tight, reducing the risk of any secondary complications.

The laceration between Waffles’ legs exposed a significant amount of muscle and also required surgical repair.

When Waffles returned to Osborne Park for his post-operative check, we were delighted to see that both the eyelid and leg wounds were healing beautifully.

Clinic: Osborne Park
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

26/09/2025

🐔𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹’𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗲 🔩⚙️

Meet Big Girl, a curious chook with an even bigger appetite than her name suggests!

Big Girl was recently brought into our Gold Coast clinic after her family noticed she was weak, lethargic, stumbling, and struggling to open her eyes. Understandably, they were very worried about their feathered friend.

After a full exam and some testing, we discovered the problem: while pecking around the garage, Big Girl had accidentally eaten bits of metal and screws! Chickens are naturally inquisitive and often peck at shiny or interesting objects, but unfortunately, some of these can contain dangerous heavy metals like lead or zinc.

Big Girl was suffering from heavy metal toxicity, which can cause serious neurological signs. She was admitted to hospital and started on intravenous fluids, supportive care, and a special medication that binds and helps remove heavy metals from the body.

After three days in hospital, Big Girl was feeling much better! She was eating well (and only the right things this time!), more alert, and even got her own private room so she could stretch her legs, scratch around, and enjoy a bit of chook luxury during her recovery.

Her journey isn’t over just yet. Our team is now working closely with her owners to teach them how to continue her care at home, including giving her medications and adjusting her diet. We’ve added extra fibre to her meals to help bulk things up, this may help her pass some of the smaller metal fragments naturally and avoid the need for surgery in the short term.

Thanks to quick thinking from her family and a whole lot of TLC from our team, Big Girl is now back on her feet and back to ruling the roost with no more garage adventures on her agenda!

This is a timely reminder to keep curious critters away from areas where dangerous materials like metal, paint, or batteries might be accessible, especially our clever chickens, who don’t always peck with caution!

Clinic: Gold Coast
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

26/09/2025

🐹 𝗣𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲'𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗞𝗻𝗲𝗲 🫠

Piggie has been a bit of a "frequent flyer" at our Peninsula practice over the last few months!

His first visit was for major surgery to remove bladder stones from both of his ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder). While recovering from that surgery, Piggie unfortunately managed to injure his left hind leg.

It was noticed that when Piggie was sitting, his left knee seemed to twist at an unusual angle. Dr Shane sedated him, took X-rays, and performed a thorough orthopaedic examination. These tests revealed that Piggie had torn his medial collateral ligament. This ligament runs down the inside of the knee joint (stifle) and prevents the knee from buckling inwards.

In order to stabilise the joint, Dr Shane needed to create an artificial ligament to replace the damaged one. Because the ligament is so small in guinea pigs, it is impossible to stitch it back together.

Piggie underwent surgery to have two stainless steel screws implanted. One was placed at the end of the femur (thigh bone) and the other at the top of the tibia (shin bone). A special nylon suture was then tied around these screws to form a "ligament" across the joint. During the surgery, it was also noted that Piggie had a dislocating kneecap! This was repaired at the same time.

Piggie recovered well from his second major surgery, and with some confinement and physiotherapy, he has regained full function of the leg. He is one tough little pig!

Clinic: Peninsula
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

25/09/2025

🐹 𝗨𝗵-𝗼𝗵 𝗧𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲, 𝗨𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲! 🪨

Meet Toffee, the 3-year-old guinea pig whose observant owner noticed he was vocalising when urinating and had blood in his urine. Concerned, they took him to their local vet clinic, where an ultrasound revealed a bladder stone (urolith). Toffee was then referred to our Jindalee clinic for surgery to have the stone removed.

On arrival, Dr Liz performed a full physical examination and confirmed that Toffee was uncomfortable in his lower abdomen. Radiographs were recommended to determine the number and position of any stones present, to aid with surgical planning. Luckily, the images showed just one stone in the bladder, measuring around 4mm in diameter.

A successful cystotomy (surgery to remove the bladder stone) was performed on Toffee. Unfortunately, a few weeks later, Toffee developed another stone and required a second surgery, from which he has now recovered.

There are several factors that can increase the risk of bladder stones in guinea pigs, including:
▪ Low water intake
▪Inactivity (sometimes due to obesity or arthritis)
▪Kidney or bladder disease
▪Excess dietary calcium
▪Pain or discomfort affecting bladder emptying

The good news? Toffee is now doing really well! He has a tailored prevention plan in place, including urinary tract supplements, a weight management program, and a carefully balanced, low-calcium diet.

Clinic: Jindalee
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

24/09/2025

🦜 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮 “𝗟𝘂𝗺𝗽” 𝗜𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗟𝘂𝗺𝗽 🫣

Loki, the sweet Cockatiel, was presented to our Murdoch clinic when his owners noticed a little lump on his chest that turned out to be more than just a harmless bump. After some investigation, we discovered that Loki had developed a crop impaction, which happens when material gets stuck in the crop (the part of a bird's digestive system that stores food before it moves further along).

Thankfully, Dr Luke was on hand and performed an ingluviotomy (a surgical procedure to remove the blockage). The surgery went smoothly, and Loki woke up like a champ! By that evening, he was already back home, ready to rest and recover in comfort.

We’re happy to report that Loki is now doing wonderfully. He's eating well, chirping away, and enjoying life again. His family is also making sure he stays clear of any sneaky fibers that could cause trouble in the future.

A reminder for bird owners: Crop impactions are often caused by rope toys, string, fabric bedding and other fibrous materials that birds may accidentally ingest. Be sure to regularly check your bird’s toys for frayed ends and keep an eye out for anything they might swallow!

Clinic: Murdoch
www.unusualpetvets.com.a

The Unusual Pet Vets

07/10/2025

05/10/2025

04/10/2025

02/10/2025

02/10/2025

01/10/2025

30/09/2025

29/09/2025

26/09/2025

26/09/2025

25/09/2025

24/09/2025

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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	8:30am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9pm - 6pm
Sunday	10am - 6pm