Launceston Exotic Animal Hospital

24/08/2026

Handsome Toothpaste was in last week to address his bumblefoot.
After a lovely foot spa which he didn't seem to mind 😍 he was fitted with a special shoe and prescribed some anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.
If you have a chicken who is limping or you suspect is suffering from bumblefoot, call us today on 0456 239 147 or go to leahvet.com.au to make an appointment online 🐓🐓

22/08/2026

If we are a bit slow answering the phone today please be patient with us! We are training up a new receptionist 😝

17/08/2026

Gorgeous Bernadette the Guineapig was in last week for a lump removal from her rump.
Luckily it turned out to be a benign sebaceous cyst so nothing likely to cause further issues and was expertly removed whole by Dr Nikki.
Although often harmless and painless, sebaceous cysts can become infected or rupture and should always be assessed by a vet to come up with a treatment plan and rule out something more nasty!
Bernadette came in for a check this week with her cagemate Leeroy and the surgical site had healed wonderfully!
Look at those sweet little faces 🥰

13/08/2026

High Pathogen Avian Influenza has been detected in a Brown Skua at Rocky Cape, on the North West Coast. Whilst it is a single case right now, the likelihood is that it will spread.

As always if you see a sick or injured bird please call the EAD Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Avoid, Record, Report

LEAH will continue to see all companion birds through this time. When you call the clinic to make an appointment, you will be asked a few questions which will help us determine the best place for you to be seen.

When you arrive to the clinic, please remain in the car and call 0456239147 to let us know you are here, and we will notify you if we are going to see you in the clinic, at the car or downstairs.

What can you do to protect your flock?

Backyard Chickens:
- House in covered areas that are wild bird and rodent proof
- Make sure food and water is elevated
- Water should be either from town supply, or if from a damn or tank, needs to be boiled.
- When going to feed and water chickens, have good biosecurity, change footwear and wash hands well before and after interacting with them.

Companion Birds/ Parrots:
- Keep indoors. You can supplement Vitamin D and other vitamins and minerals to reduce stress from being housed indoors.
- Good biosecurity, remove shoes at the door and wash hands well before interacting with birds.
- Keep cats indoors. Cats are predators and may come into contact with sick birds and bring the virus inside.
- Make sure water is decontaminated

Vaccinations are reserved ONLY for protected and critically endangered species and wont be made available to companion birds at this stage.

I have attached a helpful handout from DAFF that details steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of HPAI infecting your flock.
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/animal/avian-influenza/help-protect/bird-owners

We will continue to update you on the most recently recommendations and progress of this deadly avian disease.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0456239147 or [email protected]

12/08/2026

If you answered a Catalina Macaw in regard to our last post you were correct!

Catalina Macaws are a hybrid, with one parent a Blue and Gold Macaw (Ara ararauna) and the other parents a Scarlet macaw (Ara macao).
They have bright plumage, are highly intelligent and social and respond well to training but require lots of mental and physical activity to remain healthy.
As always we recommend doing your own research before adding any animal to your family 🦜

10/08/2026

Gorgeous Flame was in recently for a health check and DNA sexing.

Can you guess what kind of bird he is??

Answers to follow!

08/08/2026

We have been receiving lots of questions from clients as to how you can protect your domestic birds from Avian Influenza (HPAI)
It's important to note it has not yet been detected in Tasmania, but it is only a matter of time.
Below is an excellent video created by our friends at the Unusual Pet Vets which goes through measures you can put in place at home to protect companion birds and backyard flocks.
There is not currently a vaccine available to vet clinics for use in pet birds but we will update you if this changes.

With the recent detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPA...

01/08/2026

3.5wks ago Dr Nikki and Nurse Gabby headed to the east coast to do an orthopaedic surgery on Charlie the 15 year old Sulphur Crested Cockatoo.
Charlie had a nasty fracture of his tiobiotarsus which required pinning.
A pin was placed through the middle of the bone, as well as pins placed externally to fix the bone in the right position and hold it in place while it healed.
We were grateful to be able to utilise the East Coast Veterinary Clinic for the surgery and Charlie recovered well from his operation.
On Friday, Charlie returned to our clinic for repeat x-rays. Dr Nikki confirmed a callous had formed around the fracture and felt confident that the fracture was stable enough that we could remove the pins! 🥳🥳
A huge shoutout to East Coast Vet for allowing us to use their clinic for the surgery and also to Charlie's family for trusting us with performing the surgery and for persevering through the recovery process!
Charlie still has a way to go in his rehabilitation and will be on strict rest while his leg continues to heal but we are confident he will go from strength to strength and have many years to come with his family 💞

20/07/2026

Launceston Exotic Animal Hospital is extremely excited to announce that our very own Dr Nikki has successfully passed her Avian Membership exams!! 🎉🎉

This qualification is awarded by the Australia New Zealand College of Veterinary Surgeons to acknowledge an advanced knowledge of avian health.

This is a huge achievement and comes after many late nights and early mornings of studying amidst also running the clinic and taking such good care of all our wonderful clients and patients.

This milestone also marks Dr Nikki as the ONLY consulting vet in Tasmania to have obtained this post graduate qualification!

It is a true testament to Dr Nikki's continued dedication, commitment and passion to Avian Medicine and Surgery and especially to our avian patients.

Join us in congratulating Dr Nikki (now Dr Nikki Tapp BVSc Manzcvs Avian Medicine and Surgery) on this huge achievement 🙏🦜🦆🦅💞

18/07/2026

Dr Nikki will be doing housecalls on the North West this WEDNESDAY 22nd July from Deloraine to Burnie, including flock checks, vaccinations, nail and beak trims and parasite checks.
To book call 0456 239 147 🐰🐹🦜🦆