Vet wins Science Week award
Press release
21 August 2008
An anaesthetist from the Veterinary Clinic and Hospital based in Werribee has been honoured by winning a $1,000 award at the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists’ Science Week.
Leah Bradbury collected the Boehringer Prize for best presentation ahead of representatives from other Australian universities and private practices.
The 31-year-old gave a talk based on her research into the immobilisation of wild equidae, such as Zebra, at the annual event on the Gold Coast last month. (July)
A panel of experts judged her to have the best content and presentation skills.
“I was pretty shocked,” said Leah. “There were some very good presentations.”
Her research was carried out at Chester Zoo, in the UK, while she was completing a residency at the University of Liverpool. It looked at the effectiveness of combining medetomidine and ketamine.
“With wildlife there is a very limited number of studies. I looked at how well these drugs worked – how the animals went down and whether they injured themselves,” she said.
“Having been away from Australia for so long, it was really nice to come back and meet people at Science Week who are working in anaesthetics here.”
Leah has been based at the Veterinary Hospital since 2006, having spent several years working and studying in the UK.
“We are responsible for the care of the patient prior to, during and after anaesthesia – just like a human anaesthetist,” she said.
“We are also responsible for looking after the animal’s post-operative pain management and making sure their recovery is as stress and pain free as possible.
“Unlike the other specialties we also deal with all species – a typical day at work could include anaesthetising a dog for a spinal surgery, a horse for colic and, if we’re lucky, a calf or alpaca as well.”
Boehringer, who sponsored Leah’s award, is a global firm dedicated to the research and development of medical products.
For further information please contact the Marketing Manager, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Tel: 8344 7844 or email: vet-communications@unimelb.edu.au