Exotic Surgical Services

20/08/2024

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An Exotic and Avian Surgical clinic, focussing on giving excellent care for exotic patients. We offer pocedures such as spay/neuter, lump removal, fracture repair and dental care. We also offen avian wing trim, nail and beak files and rabbit vaccinations.

28/06/2024

*The importance of beak filing*

Many of our domestic parrots don’t use their beaks nearly as much as their cousins in the wild do. This can lead to an overgrowth that can make it difficult for them to eat and play, and in severe cases it can grow so long that it curls around and injures the lower jaw. Injuries to the beak and growth plate can also lead to irregular wear, and scissor beaks can develop. Beaks that are too long can also break nuch more easily if a parrot falls and hits its beak on the floor (more important in unflighted birds).

As part of our Avian Routine visits we offer beak filing (if required), to ensure the beak is a the correct length.

Here is gorgeous Kiwi’s before and after photos!

15/06/2024

*Warning: Graphic images*

Interesting case: Uterine intussusception and uterine prolapse in a rat.

Yoda, a very sweet and very well loved rattie presented to Dr Bernice last week for a pink structure protruding from her v***a. On examination it appears that she was suffering from a uterine prolapse and a structure of about 1.5cm was protruding through her vaginal canal! She had chewed at the tip, causing a black nectrotic tip to the structure.

She was taken to surgery where it was discovered that she had a uterine growth that had caused a uterine intussusception (part of the uterus gets pulled into itself like a partially inside out sock - see diagram!). The growth was so large that it then protruded out of the vaginal canal and we suspect Yoda chewed and pulled on it, causing the prominent prolapse.

Through gentle technique Dr Bernice managed to reduce the uterine prolapse and could then remove both the diseased uterus, ovaries and growth.

Yoda made a wonderful recovery and is once again her normal happy and bright self at home!

www.exoticsurgicalservices.co.za

14/06/2024

Congratulations Janke Nortje you are the winner of our free spay/neuter competition!🥳🥳🥳

Send us an email at
📬 [email protected]
to claim your prize 🏆

www.exoticsurgicalservices.co.za
📞 060 381 9766

04/06/2024

Egg binding is a serious life threatening condition that can develop in tortoises (and other reptiles and birds). Symptoms can include obvious signs if straining without producing an egg, lethargy and weakness, hind limb paresis, inappetance etc. It is generally diagnosed based on the clinical history and an xray.

In many cases medical management can assist in allowing the egg to move far along down the reproductive tract that it can manually be removed through the cloaca. On some occasions however this is impossible and abdominal surgery is required.

This is not a small task in a tortoise! A boney ‘window’ has to be cut out of its plastron (bottom part of shell) and the egg then removed surgically. That part would be similar to a performing a c-section. The boney ‘window’ then needs to be stabilised back in olace with special materials to allow for the long healing time that is requires for tortoises (months!).

This is a big surgery for a tortoise to undergo, but in a case like this it can be life saving!

For any queries about routine and more complex surgeries please feel free to contact us at Exotic Surgical Services on 0603819766 (WhatsApp or call) or [email protected].

Visit us at www.exoticsurgicalservices.co.za

01/06/2024

RABBIT HAEMORRHAGIC DISEASE VIRUS (RHDV)

*VACCINE BACK IN STOCK!*

RHDV is a life threatening ans highly infectious viral disease that sneaked its way into South Africa in 2022 for the first time. It is widely known and managed across many parts of the world, but it was a novel virus for SA. As a results the initial outbreaks had catastrophic results with large numbers of rabbits lost virtually over night. A hugely complicating factor was that the vacccine (which provides excellent protection) was not available in SA and it took months of hard work by the experts before they were allowed to import it. We are now exactly one year after the first lot of vaccines have been administered, and the yearly vaccine booster will be due. If you haven’t yet vaccinated your bunny, do not delay!! This saves lives.

For those that received their vaccines last year, please keep an eye on your vaccine card for when the annual booster is during!

Call/WhatsApp on 060 381 9766 to book your bunny vaccination.

29/05/2024

Yes, you can win a FREE spay or neuter for any of your small mammal pet! And it gets better - this IS transferable to a friend if you don’t own a bunny, rat or a guinea pig! What a great way to spoil your friend!

Like our page and share this post to stand a chance to win. Winner will be declared on 14 June 2024.

Routine and complex surgical care for avian and exotic animals

28/05/2024

Dental disease in rabbits can be very serious and potentially life-threatening. Rabbits teeth grow continuously and can wear unevenly. Uneven wear can result due to teeth malalignement, injuries to jaw or tooth root, tooth root abscesses, poor diet that does not allow for proper wear etc.

When this happens pointed spikes form on the side of the teeth which cause painful, sometimes infected, wounds on the tongue and cheeks. In severe dental disease the tooth roots become distorted and overlong and can lead to pain and facial abscesses.

Rabbits with dental problems can usually be treated but early intervention is very important. We advise that even healthy rabbits come have a dental and health check every 6 - 12 months so that any teeth abnormalities can be caught early. When dental disease is present a more frequent dental check is necessary.

Book your dental now at Exotic Surgical Services

Wattsapp or Call 📞 060 381 9766

www.exoticsurgicalservices.co.za

28/05/2024

Why use an exotic surgeon?
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Many of the species we work with are small (20 grams – 3kg). That in itself is unusual and can present interesting challenges! Small patients have a much smaller blood volume, and haemostasis is crucial as excessive blood loss can be lethal. Also, because of their small body size they lose heat fast and can quickly develop hypothermia. Due to a high susceptibility of hypotension and other negative effect of anaesthesia, it is crucial that surgical times be kept to a minimum.

Specialised items such as clear stick-on drapes, specialised intubation equipment, heating mats and microsurgical instruments that allow for precise and gentle tissue handling are just some of the needs for our exotic surgeon to be able to perform surgery in a fast, safe and efficient manner. All our patients receive a pre-anaesthetic health check, and bloodwork if appropriate. They are monioring closely by our trained nursing staff during and after any procedure.

Below is a recent surgery done on a female chameleon who suffered from pre-olylatory follicular stasis. Untreated this condition can be fatal. Luckily her owner noticed her inappetance and general lethargy, and she could undergo the correct treatment.

28/05/2024

Welcome to Exotic Surgical Services!

This practice was born from the desire to be able to offer gold standard surgical care for all exotic and avian species.

Dr Bernice has been exclusively an avian and exotic vet for over 10 years. She has always had a passion for surgery, and completed her Surgical Internship at the Animal Referral Hospital in Sydney, Australia in 2009. Since then she has had the immense privilege of working with all types of avian and exotic species, learning how each individual species needs their own unique anaesthetic and surgical care. She feels passionate about the fact that all animals, no matter their size or monetary worth, deserve the same excellent care.

When she is not doing exotic surgeries, Dr Bernice is also the Head Sea Turtle veterinarian at the Two Oceans Turtle Concervation Centre.

ESS is run exclusively by Dr Bernice and her supporting staff. We work on an appointment basis and offer both a routine and complex/referral surgical service.

Kindly see our website on .exoticsurgicalservices.co.za for more information.

Wattsapp or call 060 381 9766 to book your appointment.