Veterinary Podcast by the VetGurus

Latest Episodes:

27: The Kindest Cut Apr 19, 2018

Show notes

Quirky news again this week, which begins with talk on empathy - can it be learned, is there a genetic factor or who cares? A field study of Mary River Turtles in Australia reveals an ageing population. The cannibal Red Squirrels of Yukon and the death of Australia's last flamingo are our last news stories. Our main topic discusses the benefits of desexing, with particular emphasis on small mammals. What are the other benefits of desexing apart from the obvious prevention of breeding and helping control behaviour issues? Mark and Brendan point out significant reasons why we need to desex our small mammals. Links: Can you learn empathy? 'They might just disappear': warning over 'punk' turtle's future Squirrels Are Also Baby-Killing Cannibals Australia’s last flamingo, ‘Chile’, dies at Adelaide Zoo Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

26: Smile – Rabbit Dental Disease Part 1 Apr 12, 2018

Show notes

Brendan has lost his mind - literally. He outlines his recent experience with transient global amnesia and a stay in hospital over the Easter period. In other news birds are pests in Melbourne - or are they?; and the concerns about backyard chickens and human health. Our main topic this week is dental disease in rabbits. We regard this as such an important (and often requested) topic that this is part one of a series of podcasts on rabbit dental disease. Links: Lyssavirus in Queensland Transient Global Amnesia Increased numbers of long- billed Corellas in Melbourne Backyard Chickens and Human Health concerns Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

25: Hatch Apr 05, 2018

Show notes

A dog in a park, Sea Turtles on a Mumbai beach, and a billboard built for birds in Sweden are the varied news items this week. In other news, Mark ponders on how rabies causes aggression. Our main topic is eggs and incubation. Mark talks us through the process of candling eggs to determine if the embryo is viable, the basics of incubation and tips to maximise the chance of the eggs hatching. We then provide an overview of the approach to infertility in birds - what to do when a client brings infertile eggs into the clinic for advice. Links: Priam Parrot Breeding information Sea turtles return to Mumbai beach after 20-year absence How does rabies cause aggression? Photographer captures bittersweet spirit of a dog who has been living in a park for 13 years Swedish billboard is quite literally for the birds Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

24: Sorry! Mar 29, 2018

Show notes

The news topics just keep on coming: How can dogs help us understand cancer? Can we use cats to control feral rats?; and some quirky facts (and fiction) about platypus. These are the news items this week, together with the sad tale of the last male northern white rhino dying. Sorry is the title of our main topic this week, as we delve into the complex matter of dealing with complaints. Brendan and Mark outline their experiences with dealing with complaints, and provide some thoughts on the best way to tackle these - something few, if any, people enjoy dealing with. Our product review is the Spidentify app for Australian spider identification Links: Platypus facts (or fiction?) How dogs are helping us understand cancer Last male northern white rhino dies Are feral cats the answer to rat infestations? Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

23: Dog Days Mar 22, 2018

Show notes

How long have you had your pet? We meet a woman who has had the same pet for 56 years. Mark gets the claws out and becomes haughty about declawing, and is anxious about caring for sick pets. In the final news item we put to bed the age-old question - can a newt kill you? This week's main topic is how to make the surgical vet visit run smoothly from the client and pet perspective. Tips such as completing as much paperwork as possible before the surgery, having the client leave some favourite food and bedding items, and sending dog and cats home with a bandana are discussed - and more! We are excited to announce our competition. It's easy to enter and you can win a signed copy of A Guide to Health and Disease in Reptiles and Amphibians, a text Brendan has co-authored. We will even pay for the postage to send it to the winner! How to enter: email us a funny veterinary story that you have witnessed - either as a veterinarian or a veterinary nurse/technician. Easy! send your story to vetgurus@gmail.com. Mark and Brendan will review the entries and announce the winner in an upcoming podcast. Good luck! News: Woman has the same pet for 56 years Can a newt kill you? Declawing linked to aggression and other abnormal behaviours in cats Caring for a sick pet can increase anxiety, depression Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

22: Guinea Pigs – Top 10 Tips and Tricks Mar 15, 2018

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Brendan may have Man Flu but that doesn't stop the vet gurus from releasing another podcast full of veterinary goodness! He soldiers on, delirious, to warn us not to feed the monkeys, and directs our attention to a cute polar bear cub born in the UK. Mark presents 6 unusual facts about Tapirs and muses over the potential demise of the world's smallest porpoise. Our review this week is a movie - or make that 2 movies: BladeRunner and the recently released BladeRunner 2049. Both of us award it over 9 out of 10. Top Tips and Tricks about Guinea Pigs is out main topic this week. We provide some fun facts and figures regarding our piggy friends, including the fact they don't come from guinea, a disturbing picture of geriatric male guinea pig rectums, and the composition of uroliths in this species. Links: Please don't feed the Florida Monkeys First Polar Cub born in the UK in 25 years Earth's tiniest porpoise approaches extinction Tapir Facts Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

21: Dystopic Dystocia in Reptiles Mar 07, 2018

Show notes

Mark is looking resplendent in his Lacoste Polo shirt this week - trying to convince us he wears it for a good cause. In other news dogs are in the bad books - threatening wildlife and wreaking havoc on beaches, whilst Brendan ponders the choice of colour in a newly discovered giant slug. Mark's book review is 1Q84, a dystopian novel. You can find more information here. He rates it a 7 out of 10. Brendan's Melbourne Veterinary School Class 30th Reunion - can you see him? The main topic this week is dealing with dystocia in reptiles: What works? Medical or surgical or a combination of both? Oxytocin use, incubation of eggs, and an alternative use of the Toothpaste Technique is discussed. Links: Domestic dogs threaten endangered species worldwide Dogs and leashes, birds and beaches Lacoste swaps out iconic croc logo for endangered species The giant pink slugs of Mount Kaputar Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Episode 20: Wildlife Worries – 2 March 2018 Mar 01, 2018

Show notes

Mark is angry about dogs licking their faces, yet happy about horses roaming free. Brendan flexes his muscles with talk about a squirrel glider gym and is pleased that the 1st International Snail Grand National has been cancelled - ready, set, escargot for this and more from the VetGurus! Wildlife care is our main topic this week. A discussion on triage of wildlife brought into veterinary clinics, including decisions on when to euthanase, analgesia options, and the debate about who pays for wildlife care. Links: Przewalski's horse: 10 things you didn't know Squirrel Glider rehabilitation What do dogs licking lips tell us? Snail race cancelled Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Episode 19: Bunny Belly – 23 Feb 2018 Feb 22, 2018

Show notes

We marvel at the 2017 Wildlife Photo competition winners, watch some 3D with our praying mantis friends, and a cow joins a herd of wild bison in the news this week. A subscriber puts Brendan and mark on the spot by asking about the ethics of keeping unusual pets - or any pets for that matter. Our main topic this week is gastrointestinal stasis in rabbits - often referred to as gut stasis or ileus. The contributing factors of this condition in pet rabbits, together with treatment options are discussed, as well as preventative measures. Book Review: Exotic Animal Formulary 5th Edition can be found at BookDepository or Amazon. Brendan gives this essential reference text for exotic and unusual pets 8.9 out of 10. Links: 2017 WildlifePhoto Competition Winners 3D vision in Praying Mantises Cow joins a herd of wild Bison Oxbow Critical Care for Herbivores Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Episode 18: Itchy and Scratchy – Feb 16 2018 Feb 15, 2018

Show notes

Mark is back from a holiday in Fiji, refreshed, tanned, and full of hot air. The news is mostly about birds this week, where we learn about bird brains, the pros and cons of feeding wild birds, and the sad life of a New Zealand Gannet. In brighter news, the invention of an edible 6-pack may help protect marine mammals. Our book review this week is a reptile text of great value and use for general practitioners, though Brendan refuses to give it a score out of 10: Listen to the podcast to find out why! Our main topic this week is ectoparasites of small mammals. We scratch the itch to discuss mange in guinea pigs, fur mites in rabbits, and rodents that can't stop scratching. Just thinking about these topics is making us itchy. Book review: Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice or find it on the USA Wiley site here Links: Ecology expert to bid feeder Brewery's edible 6-pack protects marine mammals Bird Brains No Mates Nigel the New Zealand Gannet This is the Fiji resort that Mark stayed at. And here is a picture of one of his crabs!: Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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