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The Unusual Pet Vets, 91 King Street, Sunshine Coast (2025)

26/06/2025

🤩 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗜𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸-𝗨𝗽 💉

Meet the beautiful Arwen and Padme! These two lovely ferret ladies recently visited Dr Michelle at our Peninsula clinic for their routine health checks, vaccinations, and nail trims.

In Australia, we recommend vaccinating all ferrets against canine distemper virus (CDV), a highly contagious and often fatal disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, nervous systems, and skin. Dogs, other ferrets, or infected wildlife can transmit it. Sadly, there's no cure once infected, making vaccination the most effective form of protection.

While nobody loves getting a needle, we do our best to keep vet visits as stress-free and comfortable as possible. Arwen and Padme were absolute stars during their check-ups!

Dr Michelle was pleased to give them both a clean bill of health. Though Padme is being managed for adrenal gland disease.

The secret to a smooth visit? Nutrigel! Both girls were happily distracted with this tasty treat and barely noticed their vaccinations or nail trims. Of course, plenty of cuddles followed.

We’re already looking forward to their next visit!

Clinic: Peninsula
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

25/06/2025

🐰 𝗙𝗹𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗯𝘂𝘁𝘁'𝘀 𝙏𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙡𝙚-𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! 🩺

Fluffbutt, an adorable 8-year-old bunny, recently visited us at our Osborne Park clinic after his family noticed that his right testicle was significantly larger than the left. Given the high likelihood that the enlargement was due to testicular cancer, we recommended castration as the best course of action and advised it to be performed as soon as possible.

Castration refers to the surgical removal of both testicles and is the standard method of sterilising male animals. For male rabbits, we strongly recommend castration not only to prevent unwanted breeding and behaviours associated with s*xual maturity but also as an effective way to eliminate the risk of testicular cancer altogether.

A couple of days later, Fluffbutt returned to the clinic to undergo the procedure with Dr Wendy. He was safely anaesthetised, and the area was clipped and cleaned in preparation for surgery. Once the site was aseptically prepped, Dr Wendy carefully removed both testicles, starting with the enlarged one. The difference was remarkable; the right testicle was nearly three times larger than the left!

Fluffbutt recovered well from his surgery and was sent home with anti-inflammatory medication to keep him comfortable during his recovery.

Fluffbutt’s case is a strong reminder of the importance of des*xing in rabbits. While male rabbits can develop testicular cancer, female rabbits are also at high risk of reproductive disease—particularly uterine cancer, which can be life-threatening. Des*xing is a simple procedure that offers significant long-term health benefits and helps ensure our bunny companions live longer healthier lives.

For more information on the benefits of des*xing, visit:
🔗 https://www.unusualpetvets.com.au/des*xing-your-rabbit/

Clinic: Osborne Park

24/06/2025

🐔 𝗣𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗲’𝘀 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 🤯

Meet Peppie, a very handsome, 1-year-old bantam rooster who recently visited the Sunshine Coast Clinic with a case of crop stasis, a condition where food stops moving through the crop as it should.

His concerned owners noticed that Peppie’s crop wasn’t emptying properly. On physical examination, Dr Sasha discovered an extremely large and firm crop, much bigger than a tennis ball!

Peppie was admitted to hospital for supportive care to see if we could get his crop moving without surgery. His treatment plan included:
▪️Dilute crop feeds
▪️Gentle crop massages
▪️IV Fluids and medications to keep him hydrated and encourage his crop to move
▪️Lots of cuddles for moral support!

Despite our best efforts, Peppie’s crop remained impacted, so Dr Sasha performed an ingluviotomy (surgical opening of the crop) to remove all the trapped food material. Dr Sasha also investigated the cause of the crop stasis with endoscopy, radiography and later a CT scan.

Peppie’s surgery went smoothly, and despite a prolonged recovery, he recovered like a champ! His CT scan showed a significant deformity of his shoulder girdle and keel, which was suspected to be causing pain and restriction of the space, which food travelled through from his crop and down into his stomachs. It is suspected that he experienced an unknown trauma as the cause.

Peppie spent 2 weeks in hospital to manage his pain and wean him off medications and from a liquid diet back onto normal food. He has since returned home to his loving family, where he’s enjoying life with a crop that works properly again!

Crop stasis can be a serious condition in birds, and early intervention can make all the difference. If you ever notice your bird’s crop isn’t emptying, they seem lethargic or are off their food, be sure to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

Clinic: Sunshine Coast
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

23/06/2025

🫨 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗵𝗵! 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲’𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 🐍

Penelope was recently brought to our Canberra clinic after their owners noticed inflammation inside their mouth. We identified stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth lining) along with caseous pus, which appeared to originate from the left mandibular (lower jaw) region. Concerned about possible dental or jaw involvement, we recommended Penelope be admitted for radiographs under short-acting sedation. This would also allow a thorough investigation beneath the affected tissue.

Once sedated, we obtained radiographs and examined the lesion more closely. Thankfully, no obvious areas of bone lysis or fractures were detected, but several loose teeth were found embedded in the inflamed and infected gingival tissue of the left mandible. We gently debrided a large plaque of caseous (cheesy) material from the area and carefully extracted the loose, infected teeth. These were sent to an external laboratory for culture and sensitivity testing to guide the most effective antimicrobial treatment. Penelope's oral cavity was then thoroughly cleaned and flushed.

While Penelope was in hospital, their owners also requested a s*x determination procedure. Despite the name, they had never received confirmation of Penelope's s*x. In snakes, this is commonly done by gently inserting a specialised, smooth-ended probe into the cloaca and assessing how far it can be advanced toward the tail where hemipenes would be located in a male. As you can see in the attached photos, we were able to confirm that Penelope is, in fact, a boy!

At the follow-up appointment, Penelope’s owners reported that he has been doing very well on his prescribed antibiotic injections, and the oral tissue is healing nicely.

Clinic: Canberra
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

21/06/2025

🐹 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼! 🔪

Meet Toothless, the sweetest little guinea pig who recently visited Dr Holly at our Murdoch clinic after her owners discovered a concerning mass on his abdomen. During her examination, a sample was taken from the lump, revealing dark, serosanguineous (bloody and watery) fluid. Given its location near the mammary gland, the team recommended surgical removal.

Toothless was admitted for surgery with Dr Luke, who carefully planned his approach. Instead of using a standard elliptical incision, which wouldn't have left enough skin for a safe, tension-free closure, Dr Luke made a precise cut over the mass and around the ni**le, reducing the risk of wound complications.

The surgery went smoothly, and Toothless tolerated the anaesthesia like a champ. The mass was successfully removed, and although her owners chose not to send it off for histopathology, Toothless was already eating and exploring by the time she went home that very afternoon!

We’re happy to report that she’s recovering beautifully and is back to her cheerful, cuddly self.

Clinic: Murdoch
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

20/06/2025

😨 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱, 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻 💪

Leo, a very handsome and much-loved rabbit, recently visited Dr Michelle at our Peninsula clinic in an emergency. Nearly five years old, Leo had suddenly become quiet, withdrawn, and stopped eating, all behaviours that were completely out of character. His lack of interest in his usual outdoor time was most telling for his owners, a clear sign that something wasn't right.

On examination, Dr Michelle found that Leo’s abdomen was distended and painful, and his body temperature was lower than normal, an alarming sign in rabbits. Blood tests revealed Leo’s glucose levels were so high they were unreadable.

In rabbits, gastrointestinal (GI) stasis is where the digestive system slows down or stops and typically causes low blood glucose. However, dangerously high glucose levels can indicate something far more serious, such as an intestinal obstruction.

Leo was admitted straight into hospital care. He was placed on IV fluids for rehydration, given pain relief via a continuous infusion, treated with antacids, and actively warmed. After a few hours of stabilisation, radiographs were taken, which confirmed Leo did have a gastrointestinal blockage.

Dr Michelle and nurse Tayla prepared a specialised tube to perform a decompression of Leo's stomach. Under general anaesthesia, the tube was carefully passed into Leo's stomach, with gentle suction used to remove his stomach contents to relieve the pressure. In Leo's case, this included a large fur mat, which had likely been contributing to the blocking of the outflow tract of his stomach.

Remarkably, as Leo recovered from anaesthesia, his blood glucose levels began to drop, an encouraging sign. He stayed overnight for continued fluid therapy, pain management, and close monitoring.

We’re thrilled to report that Leo made a full recovery and is now back at home, enjoying life and his favourite outdoor time once again.

Clinic: Peninsula
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

18/06/2025

🐹 𝗕𝗮𝘇 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲: 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 😅

Our Murdoch team recently cared for Baz, a sweet guinea pig who presented with a serious case of urolithiasis (bladder stones). His concerned owner had noticed a reduced appetite for about a week, and that morning, Baz passed blood-tinged urine.

During his examination, Baz showed signs of moderate bladder pain, creamy red urine, mild dehydration, and reduced body condition, likely from weight loss. Based on these signs, we strongly suspected a bladder stone, a painful condition that can cause blood in the urine and significant discomfort.

After a thorough diagnostic process, including an ultrasound, radiographs, and bloodwork, we confirmed the presence of a urolith and mild dilation of the ureters. We also ruled out more serious kidney obstruction.

Baz required surgery to remove the stone, so we proceeded with a cystotomy, a procedure where the bladder is carefully opened to extract the stone. The surgery went smoothly under anaesthesia, and Baz received comprehensive supportive care, including fluids and pain relief during recovery.

We're happy to report that Baz has been doing great since the surgery! He's eating well, urinating without blood, and has no signs of discomfort. His surgical site is healing nicely, and he's managing his medications well. Baz will be treated with ongoing medications to help prevent uroliths from forming again in the future.

We're so proud of Baz's bravery and recovery!

If you ever notice changes in your guinea pig’s appetite, behaviour, or urine, don’t wait! Early veterinary care can make all the difference. As always, our team is here to help!

Clinic: Murdoch
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

17/06/2025

🐰 𝗨𝗻𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 😬

Uncle Con is a 3-year-old Cashmere Lop who presented to our Adelaide clinic after his owner noticed a lump under his chin that appeared suddenly, then ruptured and began oozing a foul-smelling liquid a few days later. The owner suspected that Uncle Con had scratched at the lump, causing it to burst. Despite the swelling and discharge, Uncle Con remained bright, continued eating normally, and was otherwise behaving as usual.

Dr Louise conducted a thorough examination, including an oral assessment using a small scope and light source to visualise the teeth at the back of the mouth. On examination, the bottom left incisor was slightly rotated and showed signs of gingivitis with pus at the base. A sharp spur was identified on the upper left side, affecting adjacent teeth, and there was irregular height of the lower left molars, as well as an ulcer on the inside of the cheek.

Dental disease is common in rabbits and can lead to pain, infection, and difficulty eating. A dental procedure is typically recommended to address these issues, which may involve burring down uneven teeth or extracting any diseased or abnormal ones. Before proceeding with a complex dental procedure, a CT scan of the jaw was scheduled to assess the severity of the disease. The scan revealed signs of osteolysis (progressive bone erosion) and a tooth root abscess in the left mandible.

Uncle Con was subsequently admitted for a dental procedure under general anaesthesia, including a dental float (filing down of the molars) and extractions. The diseased teeth were extracted, and the remaining molars were burred down to restore as close to normal alignment as possible, removing sharp spurs and excessive overgrowth. A culture and sensitivity (C&S) test had already been submitted when the facial abscess initially ruptured, helping the team to select the most appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Uncle Con remained in hospital overnight for ongoing pain relief, fluid therapy, and Critical Care feeding, as he was initially reluctant to eat comfortably on his own. He was discharged the next day with syringe-feeding instructions, oral antibiotics, and pain relief medication.

At his recheck appointment, Uncle Con was comfortably eating pellets, hay, and kale. Uncle Con is recovering well, and while he’s still waiting on the tooth fairy, he’s well on his way to feeling much better!

Clinic: Adelaide
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

16/06/2025

🐍 𝗨𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘆 𝗡𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗲 🫣

Udon, a cheeky yearling South West Carpet Python, gave her doting family the fright of their lives when she wriggled her way out of her enclosure for a mysterious house-wide adventure. Fortunately, she was quickly found, much to everyone’s relief! Unfortunately she didn’t return from her escapade unscathed. Her family noticed the tip of her tail looked injured, so they rushed her to see Dr Harry at our Osborne Park clinic.

Dr Harry performed a thorough examination and found Udon’s tail was quite floppy. There was also a distinct line of constrictive tissue, and the tail tip appeared dry and necrotic (a sign the tissue was dying) with an underlying fracture suspected. Given the extent of the damage, the decision was made to amputate the affected portion of her tail to prevent further complications.

Udon was admitted to hospital for surgery. Dr Harry safely anaesthetised her and used injectable local anaesthetic medications to numb the surgical area. Once she was asleep, Nurse Hayley aseptically prepared the surgical site and monitoring equipment was set up to ensure her safety throughout the procedure.

Dr Harry made his first incision about 1cm above the constricted tissue and carefully dissected through the skin and muscle layers to reach the bone. The bone was cleanly amputated with minimal blood loss, and the surgical site was precisely closed.

Udon recovered beautifully from the anaesthetic and was discharged that same afternoon with pain relief medication to keep her comfortable during recovery.

Udon returned to the clinic four weeks later for her post-operative check-up with Dr Harry. We’re happy to report that her surgical site was healing wonderfully—and Udon even posed like a pro for a little photoshoot before heading home.

𝙎𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙖 𝙨-𝙨-𝙨-𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧!

Clinic: Osborne Park
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

14/06/2025

✅ 𝗗𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 🦜

Ducky, the handsome blue and gold macaw, recently visited our Sunshine Coast clinic for a health check and microchipping as part of our Flystart Package.

After an in-depth discussion with Ducky’s dedicated owners regarding nutrition and enrichment, Dr Pat and Nurse Rhiannan performed a brief anaesthetic to facilitate a thorough physical examination, sample collection and microchip placement.

Microchipping is the most reliable way to reunite a bird that goes missing with its owner, and it is a routine practice among avian vets.

Our Flystart Package also includes blood testing, a faecal examination, a Chlamydia test, DNA s*xing, nail trimming and a yummy bag of food!

We’re pleased to report that Ducky’s test results came back clear!

To learn more about our FlyStart Package visit:
🔗 https://www.unusualpetvets.com.au/flystart-package-for-birds/

13/06/2025

🫶 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 🕊

Back in February, the small town of Harden in south-west New South Wales was struck by a devastating hailstorm that took a heavy toll on the local wildlife. Streets were blanketed with large hailstones and the heartbreaking sight of injured and deceased birds, some still clutching branches as they were battered by hail and strong winds.

Following the storm, hundreds of injured birds were collected by caring members of the Harden community and taken to the Harden-Murrumburrah Showground. Thanks to the local poultry club, this space was transformed into a temporary wildlife hospital. There, SES personnel and local veterinary staff joined forces with dedicated wildlife volunteers from Wildcare Queanbeyan, WIRES, NSW Wildlife Council, and ACT Wildlife to triage and treat the birds.

Sadly, some of the most severely injured birds and those suffering from extensive eye trauma, fractures, and other critical injuries had to be humanely euthanised. But many others were given a second chance. Survivors were either treated on-site or transferred to veterinary hospitals, including ours, for further care and rehabilitation.

It was a remarkable, community-wide effort. From the volunteers and wildlife organisations to veterinary teams and generous donors, everyone played a vital role. Without this incredible collective response, many of these birds would not have survived, let alone been released back into their natural homes.

While the Harden community continues to recover, we remain hopeful.

Clinic: Canberra
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

12/06/2025

🩺 𝗔 𝗟𝘂𝗺𝗽, 𝗔 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻, 𝗔 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁! 🐭

Ciel recently hopped into our Sydney clinic to see Dr Shelby after her owner noticed a rapidly growing lump on her chest. Given its location, a mammary tumour was suspected, and due to the speed of its growth, surgery was recommended to remove it.

During the same procedure, Ciel was also des*xed to help reduce the risk of future ovarian and uterine disease.

We’re happy to report that Ciel recovered smoothly from surgery with no complications and is now back home, enjoying life with her friends!

Clinic: Sydney
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

The Unusual Pet Vets

26/06/2025

25/06/2025

24/06/2025

23/06/2025

21/06/2025

20/06/2025

18/06/2025

17/06/2025

16/06/2025

14/06/2025

13/06/2025

12/06/2025

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