The Unusual Pet Vets

30/09/2026

🐰 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲'𝘀 𝗖𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 😮

An interesting case was recently presented to our Ferntree Gully team. A little tripod bunny named Alice visited us because of a large shoulder lump that had developed over several weeks. It was starting to slow her down and cause discomfort around her shoulders.

On examination, Dr Zoe discovered something quite unusual: a suspected tapeworm cyst beneath the skin!

Tapeworm larvae can occasionally migrate from the intestines and form soft, movable cysts beneath the skin or within muscles. As they grow, they can cause inflammation, pressure and discomfort in the surrounding tissue.

These cysts can be subtle and often difficult to detect, but an experienced veterinary team may feel them as unusual swellings during a physical examination. Thankfully, Alice's was picked up during her general health check before it caused more significant problems.

Alice was placed under a short anaesthetic so the cyst could be carefully removed. The procedure requires a delicate touch to avoid rupturing the cyst before complete removal.

The good news? Alice recovered beautifully and was soon on her way home!

For rabbits, regular veterinarian-approved parasite prevention if spending time outdoors and good hygiene around fresh food are important. Always wash garden greens and vegetables thoroughly before offering them to your bunny.

What a brave little patient; well done, Alice!

Clinic: Ferntree Gully
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

29/09/2026

🐓 𝗘𝘂𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲’𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀-𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗲 🌿

Meet Eugenie, a beautiful 2-year-old Sussex hen who recently visited our Murdoch clinic after her observant owners noticed that her crop wasn’t emptying as it should.

During her examination, we found that Eugenie was dehydrated and nauseous, with a significantly distended crop. Her owners elected to admit her to hospital, where she was started on IV fluids, pain relief and anti-nausea medication.

A crop lavage was performed in an attempt to remove the impacted contents. Unfortunately, the material inside Eugenie’s crop was extremely dry, and only a small amount of fluid could be removed.

The following day, after receiving supportive care overnight, Eugenie was reassessed and a second crop lavage was attempted. Although some grass could be expressed, the remaining material was simply too thick and impacted to be removed this way.

Dr Luke discussed the next treatment option with Eugenie’s owners: an ingluviotomy. This is a surgical procedure where an incision is made into the crop, allowing the impacted material to be removed directly. Her owners elected to proceed, and Eugenie was carefully prepared for surgery.

Thankfully, the procedure went very well, with Dr Luke removing a large amount of impacted grass from Eugenie’s crop. She recovered beautifully from her anaesthetic and continued receiving IV fluids, with her food initially restricted to small amounts of crumble while her digestive system had time to recover.

By the following morning, Eugenie was much brighter and livelier. Our team continued to closely monitor her crop function and gastrointestinal motility throughout the day before she was given the all-clear to head home. Her owners were provided with strict post-operative care instructions, along with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medications to keep her comfortable and support her recovery.

One week later, Eugenie returned for her post-operative check, and we were delighted to see that she was healing beautifully.

A huge credit goes to Eugenie’s dedicated owners for recognising that something wasn’t right and seeking veterinary care promptly.

Clinic: Murdoch
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

28/09/2026

🫧🐠 𝗕𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗧𝘂𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 🐠🫧

Meet Bubble, a much-loved 6-year-old goldfish who recently visited our Chermside clinic with a large lump growing just behind their dorsal fin.

The mass had first appeared around a year earlier but had begun growing rapidly over the previous few weeks. It was also starting to ulcerate, raising concerns that if it continued to grow and outgrew its blood supply, the tissue could begin to die and deteriorate.

With the mass showing no signs of slowing down, our team recommended surgery to remove it.

Anaesthetising a fish is a little different to anaesthetising many of the other patients we see. Bubble was carefully placed into water containing an anaesthetic medication, with the concentration gradually increased until the appropriate depth of anaesthesia was reached. During the procedure, anaesthetic water was continuously passed over Bubble’s gills to keep them safely asleep.

Bubble was positioned on a wet sponge and kept moist throughout the surgery, while a specially arranged system of fluid tubing, valves and syringes allowed our team to carefully manage the water flowing over their gills.

Dr Corey then carefully removed the tumour from Bubble’s body using surgical scissors, with swabs used to help control bleeding. Throughout the procedure, Nurse Maleetia closely monitored Bubble’s anaesthetic depth and vital signs.

Once the surgery was complete, Bubble’s gills were flushed with fresh, anaesthetic-free water before they were transferred to a recovery tank to wake up. Thankfully, the procedure was a success and the entire mass was removed.

The lump was sent away for histopathology, and we were very pleased to learn that it was benign. The results indicated that it was most likely a peripheral nerve sheath tumour arising from the nerves beneath Bubble’s skin.

With the troublesome mass successfully removed, Bubble went on to make a full recovery and was soon back to doing what goldfish do best – happily swimming around!

We hope this much-loved little fish has many more happy years of swimming ahead.

Clinic: Chermside
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

26/09/2026

🐹 𝗦𝗮𝗴𝗼’𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘄-𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗴𝗮 🦷

Meet Sago, a sweet 2-year-old guinea pig who recently visited our Peninsula clinic after her family noticed she wasn't eating as much as usual and was having difficulty chewing.

During her examination, it was discovered that Sago's back cheek teeth had become significantly overgrown, growing across her tongue and preventing her from chewing normally. She underwent a dental procedure to carefully correct the overgrowth and allow her tongue and mouth to move more comfortably.

While waiting for her procedure, Sago needed plenty of extra support at home. Her dedicated owner hand-fed her Critical Care every three to four hours to ensure she continued receiving the nutrition she needed while she was unable to eat properly on her own.

We're very happy to report that at her recent recheck, Sago was doing well and, most importantly, eating independently again!

Unfortunately, Sago's dental disease is an ongoing condition, meaning her teeth will require regular monitoring, and she will likely need further dental treatment in the future. Guinea pig teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, so dental problems can quickly interfere with their ability to eat and can become serious if left untreated.

Thanks to her wonderful owner's commitment to her ongoing care, we're hopeful we can keep Sago comfortable, eating well and enjoying a good quality of life for as long as possible.

Clinic: Peninsula
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

25/09/2026

🦜 𝗔 𝗧𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 🥹

Meet Yalla, a beautiful 2-year-old Peach-faced Lovebird who discovered that sometimes, love really can be toxic!

Yalla became unwell after her devoted mate repeatedly fed her objects containing high levels of heavy metal. Sharing food with a partner is normally a very sweet and natural lovebird behaviour, but unfortunately, Yalla’s mate had a rather questionable menu!

Heavy metal exposure can be extremely serious in birds, with metals such as lead and zinc potentially causing toxicity when ingested. Birds are naturally curious and love to chew, shred and investigate their surroundings with their beaks, meaning seemingly harmless household items, toys and cage accessories can sometimes become unexpected sources of exposure.

After an initial standing radiograph to assist with diagnosis, Yalla’s treatment began by flushing her crop to remove as many of the metal particles as possible. She was then started on a chelating medication (calcium EDTA) that binds to certain heavy metals, helping the body eliminate them.

Yalla's treatment required repeated injections and close veterinary monitoring. Before concluding treatment, a follow-up radiograph was performed to ensure all metal particles had been eliminated.

Thankfully, the radiograph brought welcome news: no metal opacities were seen! Yalla received her final dose of Calcium EDTA that day, marking the end of her rather dramatic encounter with toxic love.

Yalla’s story is an important reminder for all bird owners to take a close look at what their feathered friends can chew, swallow or access. Birds can be incredibly resourceful, and sometimes incredibly mischievous!

Regularly check toys, cages, bells, clips, chains and other metal objects, and remove anything that is damaged, corroded or made from an unknown material. If you suspect your bird has swallowed metal or another potentially toxic object, seek veterinary advice promptly.

We’re so happy to see this tiny lovebird come through her unexpected case of “toxic love”, although we think her mate might need a little guidance when it comes to choosing gifts in the future!

Clinic: Gold Coast
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

23/09/2026

🌾 𝗔 𝗛𝗮𝘆-𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘆𝗲-𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 👁

Meet Clementine, a very lucky little guinea pig with wonderfully observant owners! When her family spotted a large piece of hay seed poking out from Clementine’s eye, they didn’t hesitate to bring her straight to our Canberra hospital for help.

In typical guinea pig fashion, Clementine was still bright, happily eating and showing very few signs that anything was wrong. Once she arrived, Dr Daniella applied a local anaesthetic to her eye, allowing it to be carefully examined while keeping Clementine comfortable.

The culprit? A large hay seed had become lodged underneath her eyelid and tucked into the corner of her right eye. Dr Daniella gently removed the seed before thoroughly flushing the area to ensure no other debris remained. A special stain was then applied to check the cornea for any scratches or trauma from the sharp foreign object.

Thankfully, she was incredibly lucky! Her cornea was unharmed, with only a tiny laceration to the conjunctiva, the delicate tissue surrounding the eye.

Clementine was prescribed a short course of eye drops and pain relief before heading home with some well-earned treats. We’re very happy to report that she has since settled back in and returned to her usual happy self.

This little case is a great reminder of just how good guinea pigs can be at hiding pain and discomfort. Even when something is wrong, they may continue eating and behaving relatively normally, making those small changes or unusual observations especially important.

Thankfully, Clementine’s family trusted their instincts and acted quickly. When it comes to our small pets, sometimes noticing the smallest detail can make a very big difference.

Clinic: Canberra
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

23/09/2026

🐰 𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗽𝗵𝘆’𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 🪨

⚠️ 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 - 𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨 ⚠️

Meet Ralphy, a 9-year-old rabbit who recently visited Dr Amber at our Peninsula clinic after his family noticed intermittent urinary incontinence, pink-tinged urine and some unusually standoffish behaviour over the previous two days.

During his examination, Ralphy showed signs of discomfort when Dr Amber palpated his urinary tract, and he had also lost a small amount of weight since his previous visit earlier in the year. His urine had a noticeably thick, chalky appearance, consistent with urinary sludge.

Rabbits naturally excrete excess calcium through their urine, which can give it a cloudy appearance. However, when calcium sediment builds up in the bladder, it can form thick urinary sludge, causing irritation, inflammation and discomfort when urinating. In some cases, calcium deposits can also contribute to the formation of bladder stones.

Given Ralphy’s symptoms, we recommended further investigation, including blood and urine tests to assess his kidney and urinary health, as well as diagnostic imaging to evaluate for bladder or urinary stones.

An abdominal ultrasound revealed the culprit: a bladder stone measuring approximately 1.5 x 1 cm. Fortunately, Ralphy’s kidney function was looking good, meaning we could proceed with surgery to remove it.

Dr Amber performed a cystotomy, a surgical procedure in which the bladder is carefully opened to allow the stone to be removed. Ralphy recovered well from his procedure and was soon on his way home to continue his recovery.

His urine was also submitted for culture and sensitivity testing, which fortunately showed no bacterial growth. At his recheck the following week, Ralphy was reported to be doing well.

To support his urinary health and reduce the risk of recurrence, we recommended dietary adjustments, medication to manage his urine chemistry, and plenty of hydration to help keep urine moving through the kidneys and bladder.

Clinic: Peninsula
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

22/09/2026

😬 𝗔 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗶𝗸𝗸𝗼 🦜

Meet Nikko, the stunning Red-winged Parrot who recently visited our Jindalee clinic after an unexpected altercation with his family’s other bird, an Eclectus Parrot.

Unfortunately, Nikko sustained significant bite injuries to his beak, face and soft palate inside his mouth. Given the extent of his injuries, he required two separate procedures with Dr Cat to carefully repair the damaged tissue and give him the best chance of healing.

Nikko’s devoted owners played an important role throughout his recovery, carefully administering his medications on the unaffected side of his beak to avoid disturbing the healing areas. He was also offered a special soft diet, making it easier and more comfortable for him to eat while his beak recovered.

Thankfully, Nikko healed incredibly well and was very fortunate that his injuries didn’t result in the complete loss of his upper beak.

Nikko’s family are extremely vigilant when managing their birds, but his case is an important reminder of just how quickly an altercation can occur. Even between familiar birds and with close supervision, disagreements can escalate in seconds and cause serious injuries.

We’re very happy to see Nikko doing so well after such a frightening experience!

Clinic: Jindalee
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

21/09/2026

🦎 𝗕𝘆𝗲 𝗕𝘆𝗲, 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗺𝗽! 😅

Meet Johnathon, the handsome bearded dragon who visited Dr Tom at our Chermside clinic after his owner noticed a rather large lump developing beneath his chin.

Given the size and location of the lump, Johnathon was placed under anaesthetic so our team could investigate further. X-rays were taken before surgery to determine whether the mass was affecting any surrounding bones. Thankfully, everything looked normal, with no evidence of bone involvement.

With that good news, Dr Tom was able to carefully remove the lump, which was then sent to the laboratory to find out exactly what had been going on beneath Johnathon’s chin.

The results brought even better news! A blocked salivary gland caused the lump. Following its removal, the area healed well and, most importantly, the lump didn’t return!

Johnathon made a great recovery and was soon back home, looking considerably less lumpy and getting on with the important business of being a bearded dragon.

Clinic: Chermside
www.unusualpetvets.com.au

20/09/2026

🐢 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 🔧

Cory the Macquarie Turtle visited our Peninsula clinic after taking a tumble and fracturing the front section of his lower shell, known as the plastron. An initial attempt by his local vet to stabilise the fracture hadn’t been successful, so Cory came to see Dr Shane for a different approach.

Putting his carpentry, surgical skills and a little creativity to work, Dr Shane used an orthopaedic bone plate, typically used to repair fractures in dogs, to carefully realign and stabilise Cory’s shell.

The technique provided Cory’s fractured shell with the stability it needed to heal while offering one very important advantage for an aquatic turtle: he could return to the water almost immediately, without the need for prolonged dry docking!

Cory is now sporting some impressive new hardware while his shell heals, and we’re pretty sure he’s the envy of all his turtle mates with his fancy new bling!

Clinic: Peninsula
wwww.unusualpetvets.com.au

11/04/2018

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