Monthly Archives: May 2018

33: The Power of the Ostrich



Calls to ban trade in amphibians from Asia is our first news story. Do therapy dogs like their work? – we find out. The sad story of the Vaquita, the smallest porpoise species in the world leaves us depressed, so in our final news story we are amazed as a crow steals a credit card and tries to buy a train ticket!

We interview Doug Black from Microchips Australia for our main feature this week. We discover the power of the ostrich. Doug has a fascinating story to tell: how he became an Ostrich vet – almost by chance – and he regales us with some stories of veterinary work during the ostrich farming boom. He then talks about his other interests including his wonderful work for male mental health. A great person and a great interview.

Links:

Microchips Australia

Calls to ban trade in Amphibians from Asia.

End Extinction International

Do therapy dogs like their work?

Crow steals credit card to buy ticket

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32: POQ



The news just keeps on coming… this week Mark discusses stress in the veterinary workplace and the love life of Dora the hawk. Brendan discussed the amusing husbandry and feeding of veterinarians for new owners guide. Dingoes and some myths about these canines is the last story this week.

Mark’s product review is the rabbit appeasing pheromone. He refuses to score it, as it is not available for use here in Australia!

Zoonoses, in particular Q Fever – or Query fever – is our main topic this week. We discuss the importance and risks of this bacterial organism

Links:

Myths about Dingoes

Hawk comes home from hospital to find her man shacked up with another bird

Husbandry and feeding of veterinarians for new owners

Rabbit Appeasing Pheromone

About Q fever in Australia

Q Fever general information 

CDC Q fever website (USA)

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31: Vetgurus on Tour



The news kicks off with the announcement of our competition winner. Congratulations to Elizabeth Pearson! Your signed book is on its way.

In other news we report on a potential threat for the rarest ape in the world, the naming of species after celebrities, and the difficulties of livestock live export.

Another non-veterinary ‘product’ review by Mark today, with a lowdown on a music video by Childish Gambino.

We are on the road this week, reporting from the Australian Veterinary Association 2018 annual conference in Brisbane, Queensland. We have interviews from the trade floor, discussing products available from Specialised Animal Nutrition and Chemical Essentials, and learning a bit more about the owners of these companies and the journey they have taken to get to where they are.

Links:

China-backed Sumatran dam threatens the rarest ape in the world

The naming of species after celebrities

Can meat exports be made humane?

Childish Gambino – This is America video

Specialised Animal Nutrition

Chemical Essentials

Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com  Twitter: @VetGurus

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus


30: Fleabag



Should we be more like sloths? In our first news story we discuss this important topic. In other news a tiger cub found in a bag is recovering well after being rescued, the unusual sex life of brown widow spiders, and veterinary interns speak out against exploitation.

A flurry of emails last week with more entries for our book competition. The competition is now closed and we will announce the winner soon! An email from subscriber Nick asks for more information on the use of deslorelin implants in ferrets as an alternative to surgical desexing. See the links below for reference to scientific articles on this subject.

Our main topic this week is fleas in dogs and cats. Mark and Brendan cover the basics, from diagnosis, treatment options and through in a few fun facts to keep things interesting.

Links:

Why we should live our lives more like sloths

Tiger cub found in duffel bag expected to make full recovery

Male brown widow spiders prefer mature ladies

 

Hormone therapy for chemical desexing of ferrets articles:

Use of a Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist Implant Containing 4.7 mg Deslorelin for Medical Castration in Male Ferrets

Use of a GnRH agonist implant as alternative for surgical neutering in pet ferrets.

Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com  Twitter: @VetGurus

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29: Dog Breath



Death is in the news this week with the end of the world’s oldest spider at the age of 43, the weird and depressing world of hummingbird love charm trafficking, and we follow the trail of the London thylacines. Brighter news is the novel approach to control of locusts in China through the use of a chicken army!

Brendan has a book review this week: Clinical anatomy and physiology of exotic species by B. O’Malley. An excellent text for anyone interested in unusual/exotic pet medicine and surgery, packed full of practical diagrams, tips and advice. A must for exotics vets and technicians/nurses. Brendan scores it a high 9.5 out of 10.

Enter our competition: 1 week until close of entries!

Send in an email to vetgurus@gmail.com with a veterinary story for a chance to win a signed copy of A Guide to Health and Disease in Reptiles and Amphibians. Shipping to the winner – wherever they are located in the world – is included. So drop us a line, say hi and tell us a story!

Links for this week:

Inside the Strange World of Dried Hummingbird Love Charm Trafficking

China drafts chicken army to fight locusts

On the trail of the London thylacines

World’s oldest spider dies aged 43 in Western Australia

Contact us: VetGurus@gmail.com  Twitter: @VetGurus

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus