Month: October 2013

Rectal prolapse and foreign body in a magnificent tree frog

Amphibians are uncommon veterinary patients, partly thanks to restrictions on keeping them in certain areas, but also due to an overall decline in frog numbers worldwide. Even so, Stephen Cutter, at the Ark Animal Hospital in Palmerston, treats a handful of frogs every year. “Frogs are still common in NT […]

UQ’s batty breakthrough

Venom from vampire bats and other creatures is providing the basis for medical breakthroughs following the discovery of various ways bats can prevent blood clots. The University of Queensland’s Professor Bryan Fry is leading an international team who have discovered new types of anticoagulants and new compounds that open arteries […]

Topical anesthesia mitigates the pain of castration in beef calves

Castration involves the removal of the testes, and is performed to improve product quality and management of male calves. The procedure has been proven to cause significant pain and stress, and despite several attempts to reduce the impact of castration on animal welfare, there has yet to be a practical […]

‘Scrap the cap’ campaign a success

A proposed cap on tax-deductions for work related self-education expenses has been delayed until 2015 due to a successful campaign waged by an alliance of professional organisations including the Australian Veterinary Association. The Federal Government announced the new changes, to come into effect on July 1, 2014, prior to any […]