Staff Achievements and Practice Research
At Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Service, as well as working with you to keep your pet happy and healthy, we are continually improving our level of knowledge and increasing the level of knowledge generally in avian and exotic medicine. This involves a combination of research, staff training and individual professional and personal development.
Recent and Current Research Projects:
Blue tongue morphometric sexing
Alongside our trusted and knowledgeable reptile carers, we are looking into morphometrics (measurements of body various parts of the body) of deceased, wild Blue Tongue Lizards and comparing them with necropsy determination of gender.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/avj.13246
Guinea Pig Dental Disease
A collaboration with Dr Hamish Baron (University of Sydney), we are looking at BBEVS data for the last 10 years and seeing what parameters are involved in the development of guinea pig dental disease.
Expected finish date: Awaiting publication
Bornavirus Infection in Snakes, and Possible Drug Treatments
Another collaboration with Dr Tim Hyndman (Murdoch University), Dr Emma and Dr Deborah were involved in collected samples from snakes naturally infected with bornavirus to establish the pattern of viral shedding. Emma then looked at antiviral agents, and whether these would prevent or reduce the shedding of the virus in naturally infected animals.
Publication 2024
Developing an Australian reference range for guinea pig biochemistry (organ function assessment from blood)
In collaboration with researchers from Murdoch University.
Data has been compiled and is under review
Manual of Guinea Pig medicine
Deborah is one of four co-editors working on a Manual of Guinea Pig medicine, in collaboration with the British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
Publication 2024
Professional Presentations, Publications and Further Qualifications
Dr Kimberley Tozer
BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Medicine and Surgery of Unusual Pets)
About Kimberley
Winner of the Stephen Ross Scholarship 2018
Presenting at UPAV conference 2018 – Potential Medical Therapies to Reduce the Recurrence of Urolithiasis in Guinea Pigs
Convened a Practical Workshop – Avian and exotic emergency procedures for emergency veterinarians, October 2018
Presented seminar – Avian and exotic emergency care for emergency veterinarians, March 2018
Presenter at RepX Expo 2018
Guest lecturer on Bird Reproductive Disease for UQ Veterinary Students – Avian Special Interest Group. 2017
Delegate at Small Animal Abdominal Ultrasound Workshop – March 2018
Co-author in Monks D, et al. 2017. Treatment of Bilateral Mandibular fractures in a goose (Anser anser domesticus). AAVAC Ann. Conf. Procs. Auckland, New Zealand. 25:51-54
Dr Emma Sciacca (McMillan)
BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Avian Health, Medicine and Surgery of Unusual Pets)
About Emma
Recipient of the AAVAC Research Grant 2016 for the paper “Comparison of in-house and external veterinary diagnostics in avian practice” (see above)
- Poster presented at AAVAC conference in Auckland, NZ in 2017
- Paper published in Eolophus Volume 2, No. 3 2018
Presenting at 2018 Unusual Pet and Avian Veterinarian Conference in Adelaide, Australia – ‘Systemic Microsporidiosis in a Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)’
Presented ‘Reptile Reproduction’ lecture to veterinarian students at University of Queensland 2018 as part of Student Conference
Co-author in Monks D, et al. 2017. Treatment of Bilateral Mandibular fractures in a goose (Anser answer domesticus). AAVAC Ann. Conf. Procs. Auckland, New Zealand. 25:51-54
Achieved Membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Avian Health – 2018
Completed VIN Course – EXOT320-1017: Avian Cardiology
Dr Deborah Monks
BVSc (Hons), Cert Zoo Med (RCVS)
ECZM Diplomate (Avian Medicine), FANZCVS (Avian Medicine and Surgery)
Recognised Avian Specialist
About Deborah
Co-editor BSAVA: Manual of Avian Practice. British Small Animal Veterinary Association. (Chitty and Monks). 2018.
Author of following chapters:
- Chapter 5: Behaviour
- Chapter 22: Lower Respiratory Tract Disease (Chitty and Monks)
- Chapter 31: The Sick Baby Bird
Co-editor Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice (Doneley, Monks, Johnson and Carmel). Wiley Blackwell. 2018.
Author of following chapters:
- Chapter 5: Enclosure Design (McFadden, Monks, Doneley & Johnson)
- Chapter 8: Reptile Paediatrics (Monks and Doneley)
- Chapter 17: Differential Diagnoses A Problem Based Approach (McCracken, Carmel, Chitty, Doneley, Johnson, Lennox, Monks, Olsson)
Monks D, et al. 2017. Treatment of Bilateral Mandibular fractures in a goose (Anser answer domesticus). AAVAC Ann. Conf. Procs. Auckland, New Zealand. 25:51-54
Verwey JK, Peters A, Monks DJ, Raidal SR (2018). Spillover of avian haemosporidian parasites (Haemosporidia: Plasmodium) and death of captive psittacine species. Australian Veterinary Journal 96(3):93-97
Presented Continuing Education Webinar to members of Unusual Pets and Avian Vets Special Interest Group of the Australian Veterinary Association in May 2018. Dental disease in Guinea Pigs (one hour).
Presented Membership Examination Mentor Program to Avian Membership Candidates of Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Program included Skype call, Webinar, and draft examination assessment and ran over several weeks.
Presenter at Parrot Society of Australia ‘Parrots 2018’. Calcium Metabolism in Birds.
Consultant on Veterinary Information Network Avian and Small Mammal Boards.
Regular Peer-reviewer for Australian Veterinary Journal and Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine. Have reviewed for other international journals.
Completed Veterinary Information Network Course on Pet Anxiety.
Completed Veterinary Information Network Course on Biostatistics.
Immediate Past Policy Councillor (Unusual Pets and Avian Vets) Australian Veterinary Association.
Dr Rebecca Taylor
BSc (Vet Biol) BVMS MANZCVS (Avian Health)
Meredith Gordon
Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing
About Meredith
2018:
Attended Parrots Conference (2 days – July 2018)
Attending UPAV Nurses Conference (1 day – November 2018)
2017:
Attended Step-Up Parrot Training Convention (1 day – September 2017)
Attended UPAV Conference (2 days – August 2017)
2016:
Completed Mental Health First Aid Certificate
Member of Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia
Madeline Rienecker
Certificate III Captive Animals
About Madeline
2017:
VNCA Course – Basic Necropsy Techniques
VNCA Course – Avian and Exotic Necropsies
2016:
Presenter ‘Avian Egg Incubation’ Nurses Stream, Combined Conference Unusual Pets and Avian Vets/Association of Avian Veterinarians Australasian Committee.
2015:
Attended a workshop with Operation Nest Egg (ONE) in Kiwi egg candling and incubation
2013:
Attended a workshop in Avian Artificial Incubation with the Durrell Conservation Academy
Bachelor of Wildlife Science (incomplete)
Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing (incomplete)
2007:
Certificate III Captive Animals
Member Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia
Alana Twomey
Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing
Diploma in Veterinary Nursing of Zoological Species
About Alana
2018:
Completing Advanced Programme in Veterinary Nursing of Zoo and Exotic Species – estimated to finish 2020
Attended UPAV Nurses Conference (1 day – November 2018)
Presented Avian Behaviour Seminar (October)
2017:
Attended Step-Up Parrot Training Convention (1 day – September 2017)
Radiation Use License
Completed the following courses:
- VIN – Basic Necropsy Technique
- VIN – Avian and Exotic Necropsies
- VNCA Course – Capnography
2016:
Presenter ‘Guinea Pig Care 101’ Nurses Stream, Combined Conference Unusual Pets and Avian Vets/Association of Avian Veterinarians Australasian Committee.
2011:
Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing
Member Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia
Member Parrot Society of Australia
Amanda Warburton
Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing
Bachelor Applied Science (Wildlife)