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Dogtor Bob, Dublin (2026)

26/06/2026

What an incredible week in Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹

I’ve just finished 5 incredible days in Vienna at the ESAVS Small Mammal Diagnostic Imaging course, and my brain is absolutely full.

From ultrasound and CT to MRI and endoscopy, we spent the week diving deep into every aspect of small mammal imaging through lectures, discussions, and hands-on practical sessions. It’s hard to beat spending days surrounded by people who are just as passionate about learning and improving as you are.

A huge thank you to the amazing instructors, Vladimir Jekl and Charly Pignon, for sharing not only their knowledge and experience, but also their enthusiasm for the field.

One of my favourite parts of attending courses like this is the people. I was lucky enough to catch up with old friends, make many new ones, and connect with colleagues from all over the world. It’s a reminder that while veterinary medicine can sometimes feel like a small niche, it’s also an incredibly supportive and passionate community.

I’m heading home inspired, motivated, and with plenty of new ideas to bring back to my patients and colleagues.

Now for the challenge of turning five days of notes into something my sleep-deprived brain can actually remember…

17/04/2026

𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨. 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙨. 𝙏𝙬𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨. 🦜🩺

These two small conures (60-70g) presented for dystocia/retained egg complications, but each had already undergone attempted medical or minimally invasive management elsewhere. Unfortunately for these parrots their eggs collapsed. Once an egg collapses, it often becomes significantly more difficult to remove safely, and surgery usually becomes the best option.

Both birds underwent stabilisation first, including repeated radiographs, vascular access (IV or IO catheter placement), IV fluids, analgesia, and butorphanol CRIs.

For anaesthesia, both patients were intubated, ventilated, and fully monitored using capnography, ECG, and Doppler cardiovascular monitoring.

𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡
A 𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙮 was performed in both birds. This approach offers excellent exposure of the gastrointestinal and reproductive tract while helping avoid unnecessary entry into the caudal abdominal air sacs. Fortunately, neither bird had salpinx perforation or egg yolk coelomitis.

That meant a 𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙮 could be performed! Opening the oviduct, removing the retained egg material, and preserving the reproductive tract. If the salpinx is ruptured or severely damaged, resection may be required. However, complete ovariectomy in birds is considered highly advanced (“heroic”) surgery due to the substantial risk of catastrophic haemorrhage.

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 & 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Following removal, the coelom was lavaged and suctioned, routine closure performed, and a 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩 placed in each bird. This helps suppress reproductive drive and reduce further egg-laying behaviour while allowing the tract time to heal.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲
Egg binding is not always “simple.” In small parrots, retained or collapsed eggs can rapidly become life-threatening and require advanced imaging, anaesthesia, surgery, and intensive aftercare.

Both of these tiny patients recovered beautifully. 💚

12/02/2026

𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡🦷
…. but in exotic pets, dental health looks very different.

🐰 𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬, 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚 𝐏𝐢𝐠𝐬, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬 & 𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 (Elodont teeth)
Their teeth grow continuously throughout life. If diet, skull shape, or tooth alignment isn’t ideal, the teeth don’t wear properly. This can lead to sharp enamel spurs, painful tongue in cheek ulceration, root elongation, abscesses, and even eye or jaw problems. Subtle signs like smaller droppings, slower eating, or selective feeding can be early warnings.

🦦 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 (Anelodont teeth)
Unlike small herbivores, ferret teeth do not continuously grow. They are more similar to dogs and cats, meaning they can develop tartar buildup, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and fractured canines. Dental pain in ferrets is often under-recognised because they hide discomfort very well.

🦎 𝐋𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬
Many lizard species have teeth and can develop periodontal infections, abscesses, and jaw disease. Insectivorous and omnivorous species may develop plaque and calculus, while trauma or nutritional imbalances can contribute to oral pathology.

🐢 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬
Tortoises don’t have teeth, they have a keratinised beak (rhamphotheca). Overgrowth is usually secondary to diet, inappropriate substrate, or lack of natural wear. Beak trims should never be cosmetic; the underlying husbandry or medical cause must always be addressed.

🦜 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐬
Healthy birds should not routinely need beak trims. Overgrowth often signals liver disease, nutritional imbalance, trauma, or chronic illness. If trimming is required, it should be done carefully and under veterinary guidance after appropriate diagnostics.

Dental disease in exotic pets is often subtle, progressive, and painful. Early veterinary exams, correct nutrition, and appropriate husbandry make a profound difference in long-term welfare.

𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒉, 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.

$Santa Paws has definitely entered the chat 🎅🐾This is Muffin, who took the festive chaos a bit too seriously and fracture...$

24/12/2025

Santa Paws has definitely entered the chat 🎅🐾
This is Muffin, who took the festive chaos a bit too seriously and fractured multiple toes… because rabbits have absolutely no respect for Christmas!!

After surgery (including placing three tiny intramedullary dowel pins 🦴), she’s now on the mend and proudly rocking a splint that’s been upgraded with essential Christmas decorations.

She’s feeling good, healing well, and reminding us all that if you’re going to need orthopaedic surgery, you may as well do it in style.

Wishing everyone a Christmas with fewer fractures, more hay, and patients who don’t try to redecorate themselves 🎄🐰🐾

06/12/2025

It might look unusual, but in Chelonians (turtles, tortoises, and terrapins), feeding tubes can actually be life-saving! They allow us to provide vital nutrition and medications when these patients are too weak, anorexic, or recovering from illness or surgery.

I’ve been a proud member of VETAHEAD for years and was recently access to the new subscription along with the opportunity to share my experience and how it’s directly impacted the way I practice zoological companion medicine. The updated courses, medication calculators, and step-by-step guides from Dr. Laila Proença, DACZM, have genuinely refined my approach to reptile and amphibian medicine and improved the quality of care I can offer every day.
VETAHEAD is a one-stop platform for everything you need to treat ZooMed (exotic) pets, for veterinary professionals (vets, techs, nurses, students).

There’s always something new to learn and VETAHEAD continues to be one of my favourite tools for staying at the cutting edge of exotic animal care. 💚

Check the link in my bio to learn how to sign up for VetAHead or comment ZooMed below 👇

Dogtor Bob

26/06/2026

17/04/2026

12/02/2026

24/12/2025

06/12/2025

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