Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Small animals vets treat wallaby in Indiana
wallaby
Dr. Mark Rochat, clinical professor of small animal orthopedic surgery, with the female wallaby whose dislocated hip he repaired.

Zoo officials called on vets to help with dislocated hip
 
Small animal vets at Purdue University's College of Veterinary Medicine in Indiana were recently visited by an unusual patient, after a nearby zoo called for their help treating a wallaby with a dislocated hip.

Columbian Park Zoo asked the college's small animal surgery team to treat the female wallaby - a mid-sized marsupial that belongs to the kangaroo family.

Dr Mark Rochat, clinical professor of small animal orthopaedic surgery and chief of small animal surgery, said: "We basically treated it like a dog with a hip dislocation. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint and the round ligament is one of the major anatomic structures that holds the ball in the socket."

Noting the distinctions between wallabies and the hospital's more common patients, Dr Rochat added: "The anatomy of the wallaby hip is different from the dog, which makes sense given their very different way of locomotion. It was a very interesting surgery."

The wallaby is said to be doing well and a radiograph taken around a month after the surgery showed the Tightrope device used was still in place.

Zoo officials praised the college's efforts. Dana Rhodes, zoo director, said: "The Columbian Park Zoo's continued partnership with Purdue's veterinary college not only provides the zoo with the benefit of access to a variety of animal specialists close by, but also gives real-world experience to students."

Image © Purdue University/Rebecca Wilcox

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.