Dr Amber Lee

15/08/2024

Diseases of the teeth and tear ducts are common in rabbits and are much easier to manage when we are able to perform advanced imaging of the skull with CT scans to adequately see the disease

15/08/2024

We are coming into spring soon and egg laying issues will be common for both birds and reptiles!

07/08/2024

Trauma and abscesses are quite common in captive gliders. Fighting amongst individuals housed together can be reduced by desexing males.

13/07/2024

🐍 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗺𝗲’𝘀 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 🪡

Meet Graeme, the handsome olive python who initially visited our Peninsula clinic due to concerns of anorexia, weight loss, and retained shed (dysecdysis).

🩺  𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Upon examination, we discovered a retained shed and a minor tear in his skin. Further investigation through blood work unveiled non-regenerative anaemia, chronic inflammation and low blood protein levels, all of which are common findings in unwell reptiles leading to skin fragility.

🔍 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻: To address Graeme’s condition, he was promptly started on medications and high-protein assist feeds before transitioning back to his regular diet a few weeks later. Despite initial improvement, his owner noticed dark, necrotic skin on his lower body after a subsequent shed.

💉 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Graeme underwent surgery, where Dr Amber meticulously cleaned and debrided the necrotic skin, revealing a significant defect over his lower back. Despite the fragile nature of his skin, simple interrupted sutures anchored to the underlying muscle were used to reoppose the skin edges as closely as possible.

🌟𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆: Post-surgery, the wounds were managed with a topical cream. After four weeks of healing, Graeme revisited after another shed, during which the retained shed was removed, revealing beautifully healed wounds with only a small white scar remaining. Graeme has since shown an improved appetite and weight gain, continuing his journey to recovery with vigour.

03/05/2024

Chemotherapy in avian patients can be done!

29/04/2024

19/04/2024

Such a cool gecko! 🦎

15/04/2024

Here is Dr. Amber Lee, BVSc, DABVP, on how joining the AAV has helped her in her career:

"I joined the AAV as an international student from Australia and was then able to apply for a scholarship that enabled me to attend my first AAV conference in Seattle. From there I was able to meet like-minded people and connect with veterinarians from all over the world. This helped me in pursuing my goal of securing a residency and becoming an Avian Specialist. I am a proud member of the AAV and now volunteer my time as chair of the Social Media committee, which helps highlight all the great things our organization and members do to the wider community."

Join the AAV today:
aav.org/page/membership

30/03/2024

Ear disease is very common in pop-eared rabbits and frequently requires surgical intervention for better management.

11/03/2024

Shingleback lizards are one of my favourite reptiles to work with 🤗

10/03/2024

Such a great resource for parrot owners!

🦜 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘁 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 🦜

We are thrilled to announce that our feathered friends at Parrot Life Behaviour and Training have launched a unique new service - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘁 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀. It’s a five-week expert-led online Zoom program designed to empower new parrot owners and those contemplating welcoming parrot companions into their homes. The first session of classes 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟵𝘁𝗵, and registration is now open!

Learn everything from parrot body language and diet to socialisation and behaviour through engaging, interactive Zoom classes. Choose between two class levels to fit your budget, with flexible attendance options. Join a community of parrot enthusiasts, access a wealth of resources, and take advantage of hands-on activities.

⭐️ 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗨𝗣𝗩 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿: Our Unusual Pet Vets community can use code 𝗨𝗣𝗩𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 for a 10% discount on your registration.

👉 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://www.parrotlife.com.au/product-page/parrot-kinder-preschool

Empower your parrot care journey with Parrot Kinder Classes and help foster a lifelong bond between you and your feathered friend. 🫶

08/03/2024

Very important info‼️ We have also had some calicivirus cases in recent months but the last 1-2 weeks have been bad for myxomatosis in particular

06/03/2024

Dental disease is unfortunately common in pet ferrets. Teeth can easily be assessed during an annual health check and physical examination

28/02/2024

So rewarding when a case responds well to treatment!

28/02/2024

Such a sweet little bird and great outcome!

12/01/2024

18/12/2023

Great job Michelle!

06/12/2023

Dental abscesses in rabbits are challenging but rewarding procedures as the patient often feels so much better afterwards!

15/11/2023

Getting ready to go to the Annual Bird Lovers Expo this weekend! 🦜🐓

🦜𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿!🦜

This weekend, join our Peninsula vets, Dr Michelle, Dr Amber, and Dr Christina, who are attending the 𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼. If you’ve admired our Unusual Pet Vets team on TV, here’s your chance to meet them in person!

So, take flight to the Hungarian Community Centre in Wantirna this Sunday for an expo dedicated to celebrating our feathered friends.

𝙒𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚! 🪶

05/11/2023

This was a very interesting case I was involved in recently… 🐍

18/10/2023

So fortunate to have been apart of this special rescue! 💕

15/10/2023

Sometimes little things can cause big problems! Grass seeds commonly get stuck in ears, and eyes causing a lot of pain and irritation

08/10/2023

These are the cases that make it all worthwhile 🦉💕

01/10/2023

Some snaps from ExoticsCon in Boston this year!

29/09/2023

Twitch is such a special Guinea pig 🤗

21/09/2023

Bobby is such a brave budgie!!

23/08/2023

Lovely Carol the chicken and her rhinolith

05/08/2023

Incisor malocclusion is unfortunately very common in lop-eared rabbits, and is often a result of congenital abnormalities with the jaw alignment.