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In this episode, one of the Bendigo Animal Hospital’s more unusual patients has presented a challenging problem to Dr Chris. Nala is a heavily pregnant carpet python struggling to lay her eggs, a condition known as dystocia. Normally, these large snakes produce a clutch of up to 40, but after delivering a handful, she has retained the rest within her belly.

Over at the equine hospital, a trainer has turned up with a racehorse that started to limp after trackwork. Initially, it appears to be walking ok, but Dr Mike wants to re-examine the problem limb after it is placed under stress. He performs a flexion test, holding the joint in a bent position before sending the horse off for a trot. Another horse has presented with symptoms of lameness at the equine hospital, but x-rays reveal this new case is more serious than the last. Dr Sarah picks up an incomplete fracture in the images that could progress to something far more troubling if not treated quickly. She decides to operate to insert a screw across the small break, which will strengthen the bone and help the joint heal with minimal damage.

Surgery of this nature is stressful on a racehorse and the repair has to be perfect to support the body weight of such a large, athletic animal.

Meanwhile, wildlife carer Lyn has found a noisy patient for Dr Chris. It is feared the ibis chick has fallen from its nest and is now unable to fly. These wading birds are referred to as ‘bin chickens’ in Australia because of their less than desirable feeding habits. Traditionally, they are found in marshy wetlands, but as climate change has dried up many parts of the continent, they have been forced into more urban areas where they scavenge for food. Dr Chris suspects this one might have an old wing fracture that caused it to fall.