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DR ABBIE TIPLER
Specialist Small Animal Surgeon
My Content, especially designed for Veterinarians


Specialist Tips - Lumpectomy Closure ($5 to access for life)
This post is about using a slip knot instead of a surgeons knot. A slip knot can be used in place of a surgeons knot in ANY scenario. The great news about this, is that you can get lots of practice before you really need to use it. When you need a slip knot, you really need it; and without knowing the technique you end up frustrated and tying yourself in 'knots' (haha that is about as clever as surgeon's get). Therefore, I encourage you to practice the slip knot at the start

Abbie Tipler
2 days ago2 min read


Surgical Margins
This blog post is a summary of the key take-home points for a talk I gave on surgical margins. I was inspired to give the talk, after finding this fabulous, free to access paper with the best images titled: Fascial Plane Mapping for Superficial Tumor Resection in Dogs it can be found by following this link. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/vsu.13569 It is an anatomical study aimed at improving surgical planning for oncologic resections by categorising fascial

Abbie Tipler
Dec 12, 20253 min read


The Value of a Truly Thorough History in Brachycephalic Patients (in honour of Scipio)
In brachycephalic patients, the importance of taking a detailed and structured history cannot be overstated. A comprehensive history not only guides my expectations of what I will find on airway examination, but it also helps me predict how the patient is likely to recover—from airway surgery specifically, and from anaesthesia and surgery in general. Beyond airway assessment, a good history provides insight into how stressed the patient is likely to be when hospitalised. This

Abbie Tipler
Dec 12, 20252 min read


Surgical Safety Checklists
In the fast-paced world of veterinary surgery, even the most experienced teams can miss small—but critical—details. That’s where surgical checklists make all the difference. ✔️ They improve communication✔️ Reduce preventable errors✔️ Ensure every patient receives consistent, high-quality care✔️ Create a safer, more confident surgical environment for both staff and animals Whether it’s confirming the correct patient, reviewing anesthesia plans, or checking instrument sterilit

Abbie Tipler
Nov 28, 20251 min read


Vasectomy ($ 5 to buy now)
This is a video demonstration of a vasectomy in a male dog, via a prescrotal incision. Click on the link, not the picture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE8u9W3kRwU

Abbie Tipler
Aug 14, 20251 min read


Writing up an interesting case as a case report in a journal
Seen an interesting case, and wish to write it up as a case report? It is a myth that this cannot be performed in general practice, it...

Abbie Tipler
Aug 14, 20252 min read


Knotless Suture Technique
Knotless Suture Technique for Intradermal Suturing - you heard correctly - no knot. The video demonstration can be found on my you-tube...

Abbie Tipler
Aug 14, 20251 min read


Brachycephalic Cats
Ala vestibuloplasty before and after photos. Don't let brachycephalic cats suffer when a minimal risk/morbidity surgery can improve their...

Abbie Tipler
Mar 9, 20251 min read


International Women's Day Message 2025
Thank-you Western Australian Vets for inviting me to record a message for your International Women's Day event. My message can be found...

Abbie Tipler
Mar 8, 20251 min read


Temporary tracheal airway patency and tube care
This blog post covers temporary tracheostomy placement, and transmyelohyoid oral tracheal intubation, as well as aftercare. 1 - Temporary tracheostomy This is a link to a video I made on the procedure to place a temporary tracheostomy. Always take a lateral radiograph at the completion of the procedure to check where the tube lies in the trachea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68aENXAiDdI This is the video that outlines how to make a temporary tracheostomy tube from a steril

Abbie Tipler
Jan 19, 20256 min read


Fellowship Study Tips
Disclaimer: These are my personal tips that helped me to pass my Fellowship and this is written independent of my prior involvement with...

Abbie Tipler
Jan 3, 202510 min read


Brachycephalic Care Unit (BCU) at VSS Jindalee
https://www.vss.net.au/brachycephalic-care-unit-jindalee.html I am so proud to announce the official opening of BCU at VSS Jindalee. We...

Abbie Tipler
Nov 15, 20245 min read


Female Orthopods
'We would love to have more females involved'. This was a short phrase, that was articulated by Dr Mark Glyde (AO orthopaedic faculty),...

Abbie Tipler
Nov 15, 20241 min read


Educational Tips from my 'Vets on Tour' talks
1 - Patella Luxation Despite popular belief, patella luxation surgery carries a high risk of complications (roughly 20-40% in dogs,...

Abbie Tipler
Nov 15, 20242 min read


Desexing recommendations.
Turning our desexing recommendations on their head, finally. The 2024 World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines, with >800 references cited, are out. Thankfully, they are in complete agreement with what I have been promoting for the last 3-4 years in my talks. Vets, it is probably time we re-examined our recommendations to responsible pet owners in regards desexing age and procedure (I'm not talking about shelters, however I have some ideas for you too, an

Abbie Tipler
Nov 15, 20242 min read


Stifle Lameness - It is not always the cruciate
Case 1 - Tofu - referred for cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Hx: LPL lameness PE: Painful in both stifles on examination, no...

Abbie Tipler
Nov 15, 20242 min read


Avoiding Burnout - Tips
I can't speak for everyone when it comes to how it feels to hit a point of burn out. However, I can describe how burn-out felt for me,...

Abbie Tipler
Nov 15, 20245 min read


Stress in Surgery - Tips
The American Journal of Surgery published an article "The effects of Stress on Surgical Performance" Firstly, Why is it bad?- Stress...

Abbie Tipler
Nov 15, 20242 min read


Stress in Surgery
The American Journal of Surgery published an article "The effects of Stress on Surgical Performance" Why is it bad- Stress effects...

Abbie Tipler
Jul 31, 20242 min read


#Ilooklikeasurgeon
I was in consultation just 3 days ago - I described the recommended procedure, complications, prognosis and costs. The owner then called...

Abbie Tipler
Jul 24, 20242 min read
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