Read the latest Australian Veterinary Journal: April 2026

In treating both human and animal burn victims, determining the distribution and severity of burns is important. Authors S Eddy, J Kalvas, N Speight, and O Funnell detail a project establishing a body surface area chart for burn estimation in koalas, developed using three-dimensional computed tomography segmentation. This is a meaningful step toward standardised burn assessment in this vulnerable species.

You can read their paper in the April issue of the Australian Veterinary Journal. Every issue, the AVJ features high-impact research that is relevant to Australian veterinary professionals.

This month in the journal:

Small animals

Impact of a hypotension treatment algorithm in dogs undergoing general anaesthesia for desexing surgery
CT Quinn, CSM Catanchin, AN Walton 

Use of inverted hybrid external fixator constructs for the stabilisation of juxta-articular appendicular long bone fractures in 20 dogs and 2 cats 
LC Brooks, DD Lewis, L Wilson, JA Bleedorn

Topical cream with essential oils, zinc and salicylic acid reduces pruritus and skin lesion scores in pruritic dogs 
D Prescott, A Stewart, A Schoep, A Herndon

Severe Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a puppy from a metropolitan area of Melbourne, Australia: a need for heightened awareness of this zoonotic parasite 
Y Chen, R Slocombe, C Gauci, C Alman, A Jabbar

Urethral end-to-end anastomosis in a 9-year-old cat after complete urethral rupture secondary to fall injury 
J Iversen, S Gouws, J Davey, R Sul, LH Eckart 

Mural gallbladder haematoma in a Parson Russell Terrier 
M Zhong, JL Pilton, TC Bennett

Survival rate can be associated with body weight in clinical cases of canine parvovirus: A critical appraisal of the evidence
TH Min, KA Worthing

Wildlife & zoos

Creation of a body surface area chart for burn size estimation in bushfire affected koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) using three-dimensional computed tomographic segmentation
S Eddy, J Kalvas, N Speight, O Funnell

Suspected iron deficiency anaemia in two hand-reared, suckling bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus): a case report
E Quilez, A Olsson

Obituary 

Emeritus professor Trevor Heath OAM BVSc (Syd) MA(ed) (Mich state) MHPEd (NSW) PhD(ANU) DVSc (Qld) DVSc honoris causa (Syd) FANZCVS
Philip GA Thomas

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Did you know?

• Use of an algorithm for guiding treatment of hypotension during general anaesthesia can limit the severity or duration of hypotension and improve outcomes for dogs undergoing elective surgery. Learn more
• The use of an essential oil, salicylic acid and zinc-based topical cream reduced the severity of noninfectious pruritus and skin lesions in client-owned dogs in a double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomised study. Learn more
• Strongyloides stercoralis can cause severe gastrointestinal disease in puppies and should not be overlooked in the differential diagnoses of gastrointestinal illness. Learn more
• Marsupials are born highly altricial with very limited iron stores. Iron deficiency anaemia can occur in juvenile marsupials under human care. Learn more

Find out this and more in this month’s Australian Veterinary Journal