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Professor Bob Doneley

Professor - Avian and Exo

School of Veterinary Science
Faculty of Science
r.doneley@uq.edu.au
+61 7 54601 980

Overview

Dr Bob Doneley graduated from the University of Queensland in 1982 and worked in veterinary practices in Bundaberg, Brisbane, Toowoomba and the UK before opening his own practice, the West Toowoomba Veterinary Surgery, in Toowoomba in 1988.

His interest in bird medicine was initially developed shortly after graduation when he was asked to give a talk to the Bundaberg Budgerigar Association and realised that he had been taught virtually nothing on this subject while a student. He pursued this interest through private study, visiting colleagues, and attending conferences. He was awarded his Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (FANZCVS) in 2003, becoming Queensland’s first specialist in bird medicine, the third in Australia. In the same year he was awarded the College Prize by the Australian College for outstanding contributions to veterinary science in Australia

In 2010 he sold his practice after 22 years to take up the position of Head of Small Animal Services, Veterinary Medical Centre at the University of Queensland’s Gatton campus. He is now an Associate Professor and Head of the Avian and Exotic Pet Service, a specialist bird practice, as well as treating reptiles, small mammals and wildlife. In 2015 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award by the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.

He lectures to both University of Queensland and James Cook University veterinary students on bird and exotic animal medicine, has published two textbooks on bird medicine (one of which has been translated into German and is about to be re-published as a second edition), written chapters for five other textbooks and has published numerous papers in veterinary journals.

Research Interests

  • Avian medicine and surgery
    The medicine and surgery of companion birds, aviary birds, and wild birds
  • Reptile medicine and surgery
    The medicine and surgery of captive and wild reptiles
  • Small mammal medicine and surgery
    The medicine and surgery of rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, rats and mice
  • Wildlife medicine and surgery
    The medicine and surgery of Australian wildlife

Research Impacts

An ongoing theme in my research is to develop evidence-based knowledge on many of the clinical conditions seen (and assumptions made) in avian and exotic practice, with a view to providing clinicians with a factual information to assist in their decision making and clinical reasoning.

Avian Medicine:

  1. Weight loss syndrome seen in free-living juvenile galahs. I have now demonstrated this is multifactorial, and now seek to better characterise the disease, its transmission and pathogenesis, and investigate treatment. This is been done in collaboration with the Veterinary Laboratory Services at UQ Gatton. A lot of interest in this work has been expressed by the Wildlife Disease Association and the Australian Wildlife Health Association. In 2017-2019 I collaborated with Dr Helen Owen to supervise a Masters student investigating this further
  2. I also have worked with the School’s clinical pathologist, Dr Karen Jackson, in supervising three Masters students in developing reference intervals for haematology and biochemistry in backyard poultry – work that had not been revisited since 1969.
  3. My resident (Dr Alexandr Mastakov) and I have been conducting research into the use of the anaesthetic drug alfaxalone in chickens as an induction agent and as constant rate infusion to maintain anaesthesia.
  4. I am involved in research projects with international groups including:
  5. A research group at the University of Giessen, looking at DNA fragmentation in stored avian semen. This research is been coordinated between Dr Michael Lierz (Giessen) and Dr Stephen Johnston (SAFS)
  6. The Jurong Bird Park veterinarians and research department, looking at growth rates of hand-reared birds. We hope to align with the University of Giessen to perform semen collection and storage of endangered Asian species.

Reptile Medicine:

1. The pathogenesis and diagnosis of two viral diseases, Sunshine virus (a novel Paramyxovirus affecting Australian pythons) and Adenovirus in Bearded dragons. Future work in this area will focus on investigating the incidence and prevalence of these diseases in Australia, a better understanding of pathogenesis and transmission, improved diagnostics, and means of control. This is been done in collaboration with the Veterinary Laboratory Services laboratory at UQ Gatton and Murdoch University.

2. A multicentric investigation into the prevalence and incidence of Agamid Adenovirus in wild Bearded dragons. The initial work on this project was published in Veterinary Microbiology in 2019

3. Another viral infection in pythons, Reptile Bornavirus, has recently been discovered and I am involved in a multicentric research group looking at treatment options.

4. A comparison of ionised calcium levels between wild and captive carpet pythons to determine if captive carpet pythons have lower calcium levels than their wild counterparts

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland

Publications

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Grants

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Supervision

  • Alfaxalone anaesthesia in birds

    (2023) Doctor Veterinary Clinical Sci

View all Supervision

Publications

Book

Book Chapter

  • Differential diagnoses: a problem‐based approach

    McCracken, Helen, Carmel, Brendan, Chitty, John, Doneley, Bob, Johnson, Robert, Lennox, Angela M., Monks, Deborah and Olsson, Annabelle (2018). Differential diagnoses: a problem‐based approach. Reptile medicine and surgery in clinical practice. (pp. 217-253) edited by Bob Doneley, Deborah Monks, Robert Johnson and Brendan Carmel. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118977705.ch17

  • Diseases of the Gastrointestinal System

    Johnson, Robert and Doneley,Bob (2018). Diseases of the Gastrointestinal System. Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice. (pp. 273-285) Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118977705.ch19

  • Enclosure design

    McFadden, Michael, Monks, Deborah, Doneley, Bob and Johnson, Robert (2018). Enclosure design. Reptile medicine and surgery in clinical practice. (pp. 61-73) edited by Bob Doneley, Deborah Monks, Robert Johnson and Brendan Carmel. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118977705.ch5

  • Reproduction

    Bob Doneley (2018). Reproduction. BSAVA Manual of Avian Practice A Foundation Manual. (pp. 54-67) edited by Chitty, John and Monks, Deborah. Gloucs, United Kingdom: British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

  • Reptile Paediatrics

    Monks, Deborah and Doneley, Bob (2018). Reptile Paediatrics. Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice. (pp. 105-113) Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118977705.ch8

  • Setting up and equipping a reptile practice

    Doneley, Bob, Simpson, Shane, Lennox, Angela M. and Chitty, John (2018). Setting up and equipping a reptile practice. Reptile medicine and surgery in clinical practice. (pp. 115-124) edited by Bob Doneley, Deborah Monks, Robert Johnson and Brendan Carmel. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118977705.ch9

  • Taxonomy and Introduction to Common Species

    Doneley, Bob (2018). Taxonomy and Introduction to Common Species. Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice, 1. (pp. 1-14) edited by Doneley, Bob, Monks, Deborah, Johnson, Robert and Carmel, Brendan. Hokoben NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118977705.ch1

  • The Reptile Consultation

    Doneley, Bob and Carmel, Brendan (2018). The Reptile Consultation. Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice. (pp. 125-133) Hoboken, NJ USA: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118977705.ch10

  • Preface

    Doneley, Bob, Monks, Deborah, Johnson, Robert and Carmel, Brendan (2017). Preface. Reptile medicine and surgery in clinical practice. (pp. XV-XV) Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley and Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118977705

  • Preface

    Doneley, Bob, Monks, Deborah, Johnson, Robert and Carmel, Brendan (2017). Preface. Reptile medicine and surgery in clinical practice. (pp. xv-xv) edited by Bob Doneley, Deborah Monks, Robert Johnson and Brendan Carmel. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781118977705.fmatter

  • Questions

    Aguilar, Robert F., Rodriguez Barbon, Alberto, Beaufrere, Hugues, Bennett, R. Avery, Beynon, Alan, Brandao, Joao, Campbell, Terry W., Degernes, Laurel, Dislich, Mathias, Divers, Stephen and Doneley, Bob (2017). Questions. Avian medicine and surgery: self-assessment color review. edited by Neil A. Forbes and David Sanchez-Migallon Guzman. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press.

  • Common conditions of commonly held companion birds in multiple parts of the world

    Speer, Brian L., Olsen, Geoffrey P., Doneley, Robert, Monks, Deborah, Verstappen, Frank, Yarto-Jaramilla, Enrique, Elliott, Dorianne, Weston, Maggie, Rivero, Jorge and McDonald, Anne (2016). Common conditions of commonly held companion birds in multiple parts of the world. Current therapy in avian medicine and surgery. (pp. 777-781) edited by Brian L. Speer. St Louis, Missouri USA: Elsevier.

  • The Clinical Examination

    Doneley, Robert (2016). The Clinical Examination. Avian Medicine. (pp. 49-72) edited by Jaime Samour. St Louis, Missouri, United States: Elsevier.

  • Birds

    Doneley, Robert J. (2012). Birds. Exotic animal medicine: review and test. (pp. 109-247) edited by Jaime Samour. Edinburgh, UK: Elsevier Publications.

  • Pigeons: Respiratory disease

    Doneley, Bob (2008). Pigeons: Respiratory disease. BSAVA manual of raptors, pigeons and passerine birds. (pp. 320-327) edited by John Chitty and Michael Lierz. Quedgeley, U. K.: British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

  • Maximizing information from the physical examination

    Doneley, Bob, Harrison, Greg J. and Lightfoot, Teresa L. (2006). Maximizing information from the physical examination. Clinical avian medicine volume 1. (pp. 153-212) edited by Greg J. Harrison and Teresa L. Lightfoot. Florida , U.S.A: Spix Publishing.

  • Ratites

    Doneley, Bob (2006). Ratites. Clinical avian medicine volume 2. (pp. 957-989) edited by Greg J. Harrison and Tersesa L. Lightfoot. Florida, U.S.A: Spix Publishing.

Journal Article

Conference Publication

  • Considerations for Hernia Repair in Parrots

    Doneley, Bob (2015). Considerations for Hernia Repair in Parrots. Association of Avian Veterinarians Australasian Committee Ltd. Annual Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, 9-11 Septmeber 2015.

  • Analgesia and anaesthesia in reptiles – a review

    Doneley, Bob (2014). Analgesia and anaesthesia in reptiles – a review. Australian Veterinary Association National Annual Conference, Perth, WA, Australia, 25-30 May 2014.

  • Avian radiology: taking and interpreting avian radiographs

    Doneley, Bob (2014). Avian radiology: taking and interpreting avian radiographs. AVA 2014: Australian Veterinary Association National Annual Conference 2014, Perth, WA, Australia, 25-30 May 2014. St Leonards, NSW, Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.

  • The use of vascular access ports in birds and exotic animal medicine

    Doneley, Bob (2014). The use of vascular access ports in birds and exotic animal medicine. Australian College of Veterinary Scientists College Science Week, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 10-12 July 2014.

  • Use of CT in assessing sinus disorders in birds

    Doneley, Bob (2014). Use of CT in assessing sinus disorders in birds. Association of Avian Veterinarians Australian Committee Annual Conference, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 22-24 April 2014.

  • Adenoviral infection in a collection of juvenile inland Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps)

    Doneley, Bob and Buckle, Kelly (2012). Adenoviral infection in a collection of juvenile inland Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps). 2012 AVA Annual Conference: Australasian Committee Association of Avian Veterinarians and Unusual and Exotic Pet Veterinarians, Melbourme, VIC, Australia, 3 - 7 September 2012. St Leonards, NSW, Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.

  • Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in a sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita galerita)

    Cowan, Melinda and Doneley, Bob (2012). Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in a sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita galerita). 2012 AVA Annual Conference: Australasian Committee Association of Avian Veterinarians and Unusual and Exotic Pet Veterinarians, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 3 - 7 September 2012. St Leonards, NSW, Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.

  • Weight loss syndrome in juvenile free-living galahs (Eolophus roseicapillus)

    Doneley, Bob (2012). Weight loss syndrome in juvenile free-living galahs (Eolophus roseicapillus). 2012 AVA Annual Conference: Australasian Committee Association of Avian Veterinarians and Unusual and Exotic Pet Veterinarians, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 3 - 7 September 2012. St Leonards, NSW, Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.

  • A case of tracheal obstruction

    Doneley, Bob (2011). A case of tracheal obstruction. Association of Avian Veterinarians Australian Committee Annual Conference, Canberra ACT, 20-21 October 2011.

  • The exploratory coeliotomy

    Doneley, Bob and Rosenwax, Alex (2011). The exploratory coeliotomy. Association of Avian Veterinarians Australian Committee Annual Conference, Canberra, Australia, 20-21 October 2011. Canberra, Australia: Association Of Avian Veterinarians Australasian Committee.

  • Ten practice tips for avian and exotic pet veterinarians

    Doneley, Bob (2010). Ten practice tips for avian and exotic pet veterinarians. AAVAC and UEPV Annual Conference, Hobart , Tasmania, 4-8 October 2010. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: Association of Avian Veterinarians Australasian Committee; Unusual and Exotic Pet Veterinarians.

  • Why do birds get sick?

    Doneley, Bob (2010). Why do birds get sick?. AAVAC and UEPV Annual Conference, Hobart, Australia, 4-8 October 2010. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: Association of Avian Veterinarians Australasian Committee; Unusual and Exotic Pet Veterinarians.

  • Clinical recovery and excretion kinetics of circovirus in lorikeets infected with psittacine beak and feather disease

    Vankan, Dianne M., Gelis, Stacey, Pyne, Michael, Shearer, Patrick, Sharp, Margaret, Waine, Deanne and Doneley, Bob (2009). Clinical recovery and excretion kinetics of circovirus in lorikeets infected with psittacine beak and feather disease. Association of Avian Veterinarians Australasian Committee: Annual Conference 2009. Advancing and Promoting Avian Medicine and Stewardship (AAVAC, 2009), Adelaide, SA, Australia, 15-17 October 2009. Denver, CO, U.S.A.: Summit Meetings.

  • Lead toxicosis in birds; A retrospective review of 20 cases

    Bob Doneley (2009). Lead toxicosis in birds; A retrospective review of 20 cases. AAVAC Annual Conference 2009, Adelaide, Australia, 15-17 October 2009. Wollongong, N.S.W., Australia: AAVAC.

  • The use of evidence based medicine in avian and reptile practice

    Doneley, Bob (2009). The use of evidence based medicine in avian and reptile practice. Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Annual Conference, Darwin, N.T., Australia, 14-22 May 2009. Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.

  • A case of tracheal obstruction

    Doneley, Bob (2006). A case of tracheal obstruction. North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando , Florida, USA, 7-11 January, 2006.

  • An approach to diagnosing chlamydiosis

    Doneley, Bob (2006). An approach to diagnosing chlamydiosis. NAVC Conference 2006: North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, FL, U.S.A., 7-11 January 2006. Gainesville, FL, U.S.A.: The North American Veterinary Conference.

  • Antibody serology: The good and the bad

    Doneley, Bob (2006). Antibody serology: The good and the bad. NAVC Conference 2006: North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, FL, U.S.A., 7-11 January 2006. Gainesville, FL, U.S.A.: The North American Veterinary Conference.

  • Biochemistries: What they do and don't do

    Bob Doneley (2006). Biochemistries: What they do and don't do. North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando , Florida, USA, 7-11 January 2006. Gainesville, FL, USA: North American Veterinary Conference.

  • Caring for the bearded dragon

    Bob Doneley (2006). Caring for the bearded dragon. North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando , Florida, USA, 7-11 January 2006. Gainesville, FL, USA: North American Veterinary Conference.

  • Pigeon medicine and surgery

    Bob Doneley (2006). Pigeon medicine and surgery. North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando , Florida, USA, 7-11 Janaury 2006. Gainesville, FL, USA: North American Veterinary Conference.

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Completed Supervision

This staff member is a UQ Expert for media in the following fields:

Birds, reptiles, guinea pigs, avian medicine, avian surgery, bird medicine, bird surgery, reptile medicine, reptile surgery, bird behaviour, rats and mice

They are happy to lend their expertise to your articles or broadcasts and share their research discoveries and insights with the community via media channels.

For additional assistance with story ideas, general advice and information or help with seeking further experts, please email the UQ Media Team or telephone (07) 3365 1120.

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ResearcherID: D-7976-2013

ORCID: 0000-0001-7623-3204

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