Why can’t I vaccinate my rabbit against Myxomatosis? The myxoma virus which causes myxomatosis is now widespread across the Australian environment which places domestic rabbits at risk of...
Do flying foxes pose a disease risk to my dog? There are two viral diseases affecting bats that can also infect dogs. These are Hendra virus and Lyssavirus. There have...
Is it safe to have a cat around my children? What diseases can children catch from a cat? Most cats tolerate children well, however always be cautious and avoid leaving your children alone with any animals. Even if your cat is...
What is cat flu and how is it managed? Cat flu is a general term for a highly contagious upper airway disease that affects cats and kittens. This disease...
What are Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) and how do I protect my cat from them? There are a number of feline viruses in Australia which can cause illness in cats. In addition to the three...
What is ringworm and how do I know if my companion animal has it? Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin and hair. Ringworm spreads rapidly, and is zoonotic which means that it...
What are common health problems in rabbits? The following is a list of the most common ailments and diseases that can affect your rabbit. It’s very important...
What is rabbit calicivirus and how do I protect my rabbit from rabbit haemorrhagic disease? Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) is caused by the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), a type of calicivirus which is fatal...
What is myxomatosis and how do I protect my rabbit from it? Myxomatosis is caused by the myxoma virus, a poxvirus spread between rabbits by close contact and biting insects such as...
Can the risk of free-range poultry contracting bird flu be managed? ‘Bird flu’ is the common name for avian influenza (AI). It is a highly contagious virus and potentially zoonotic disease...
Can layer hen mortality, pests, parasites, disease and predation be managed in non-cage systems? Mortality The main welfare risks in cage-free systems are the transmission of infectious diseases and severe feather pecking, both of...
What animal welfare issues are associated with bird flu? Avian influenza (AI), commonly called bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease of birds worldwide. The virus is spread...
What is mastitis in dairy cows? Mastitis is an infection that causes inflammation of a cow’s udder. It is caused by bacteria or by injury, and...
Why do dairy cows become lame? Foot lameness is a common problem in dairy farming and not unusual in wet conditions. It can be caused by...
What is the RSPCA’s view on the release of Cyprinid herpesvirus to kill carp? In late 2016, the Australian Government commissioned a two-year research and planning process to determine the feasibility of using a...
What is Toxoplasmosis? Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic infection (acquired from animals) caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). It is thought...
What is pigeon rotavirus and what should be done to stop it spreading in racing pigeons? Pigeon rotavirus causes a highly infectious and fatal disease. The virus was first detected in racing pigeons in Western Australia...
How can I take care of my horse with Queensland Itch? You should suspect that your horse has ‘Queensland Itch’ if it develops a reoccurring, itchy skin condition every summer and...
How do I keep my horse healthy? To answer this question we first need to know how a healthy horse looks and behaves. What are the signs...
What is laminitis, and how can it be prevented or treated? Laminitis (also termed founder) is inflammation of the laminae of the foot – the soft tissue structures that attach the...