Category Archives: Avian

89: Bird Brain – Bird Pain: Analgesia in Birds



News


Main Topic:

Pain. How to prevent it, and ameliorate it our avian friends is the main topic for this week. Brendan brings out his notebook to quiz Mark on the current understanding of analgesia and analgesics for use in birds.

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Specialised Animal Nutrition. Specialised Animal Nutrition is the Australian distributor of Oxbow Animal Health products. Used and recommended by top exotic animal veterinarians around the globe,  the Oxbow range comprises premium life-staged feeds and supportive care products for small herbivores.

Microchips Australia: Microchips Australia is the Australian distributor for: Trovan microchips, readers and reading systems; Lone Star Veterinary Retractor systems and Petrek GPS tracking products. Microchips Australia is run by veterinarians experienced in small and large animal as well as avian and exotic practice, they know exactly what is needed for your practice.

Chemical Essentials. Cleaning and disinfection products and solutions for a wide variety of industries throughout Australia, as well as specific markets in New Zealand, Singapore and Papua New Guinea. The sole importer of the internationally acclaimed F10SC Disinfectant and its related range of advanced cleaning, personal hygiene and animal skin care products.

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77: Vegetarian



Welcome to the VetGurus podcast! Hello to all our new subscribers – thanks for the vote of confidence – enjoy the podcast.

Don’t forget to drop us a line to say hi: VetGurus@gmail.com. OR post a comment here on our website. Also, visit the sites of our generous sponsors that help pay for our production costs – see their details below.

News

Main Topic for the week: Plants for exotic pets – help or hindrance?

Brendan and Mark discuss the benefits of providing plants for your unusual pet, including their effect on behaviour – ie environmental enrichment. What are the risks of these plants? Which are toxic?

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Specialised Animal Nutrition. Specialised Animal Nutrition is the Australian distributor of Oxbow Animal Health products. Used and recommended by top exotic animal veterinarians around the globe,  the Oxbow range comprises premium life-staged feeds and supportive care products for small herbivores.

Microchips Australia: Microchips Australia is the Australian distributor for: Trovan microchips, readers and reading systems; Lone Star Veterinary Retractor systems and Petrek GPS tracking products. Microchips Australia is run by veterinarians experienced in small and large animal as well as avian and exotic practice, they know exactly what is needed for your practice.

Chemical Essentials. Cleaning and disinfection products and solutions for a wide variety of industries throughout Australia, as well as specific markets in New Zealand, Singapore and Papua New Guinea. The sole importer of the internationally acclaimed F10SC Disinfectant and its related range of advanced cleaning, personal hygiene and animal skin care products.


70: Book



News this week:

Our main topic this week is an interview with author Laura Greaves, who has just had her 6th book published: The Rescuers – Incredible stories of life-saving dogs. You can find more information on Laura’s book here.

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

Become a VetGuru patron! Support our podcast – the equivalent of a coup of coffee is all we ask to help keep us going: Patreon.com/vetgurus

 

Microchips Australia: Microchips Australia is the Australian distributor for: Trovan microchips, readers and reading systems; Lone Star Veterinary Retractor systems and Petrek GPS tracking products. Microchips Australia is run by veterinarians experienced in small and large animal as well as avian and exotic practice, they know exactly what is needed for your practice.

Specialised Animal Nutrition. Specialised Animal Nutrition is the Australian distributor of Oxbow Animal Health products. Used and recommended by top exotic animal veterinarians around the globe,  the Oxbow range comprises premium life-staged feeds and supportive care products for small herbivores.

Chemical Essentials. Cleaning and disinfection products and solutions for a wide variety of industries throughout Australia, as well as specific markets in New Zealand, Singapore and Papua New Guinea. The sole importer of the internationally acclaimed F10SC Disinfectant and its related range of advanced cleaning, personal hygiene and animal skin care products.


69: Feather



News for this week: Freezing bird feet, technicolour squirrels, rabbit calicivirus in the UK area and a stowaway parrot… 

The main topic this week is feathers – Mark walks us though the do’s and don’t’s of wing clipping in our feathered friends.

Links:

First UK hares test positive for RHDV2

Why don’t birds’ feet freeze in the cold?

Meet India’s beautiful technicolor squirrels

Stowaway Australian parrot travels 2,300km on New Zealand cruise liner

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

Become a VetGuru patron! Support our podcast – the equivalent of a coup of coffee is all we ask to help keep us going: Patreon.com/vetgurus  

Speaking of patrons: a big shout out for our newest patron Emily A!

Microchips Australia: Microchips Australia is the Australian distributor for: Trovan microchips, readers and reading systems; Lone Star Veterinary Retractor systems and Petrek GPS tracking products. Microchips Australia is run by veterinarians experienced in small and large animal as well as avian and exotic practice, they know exactly what is needed for your practice.

Specialised Animal Nutrition. Specialised Animal Nutrition is the Australian distributor of Oxbow Animal Health products. Used and recommended by top exotic animal veterinarians around the globe,  the Oxbow range comprises premium life-staged feeds and supportive care products for small herbivores.

Chemical Essentials. Cleaning and disinfection products and solutions for a wide variety of industries throughout Australia, as well as specific markets in New Zealand, Singapore and Papua New Guinea. The sole importer of the internationally acclaimed F10SC Disinfectant and its related range of advanced cleaning, personal hygiene and animal skin care products.

 


58: Pirate



We report on the rebound of a Mountain gorilla population in this week’s good news. Mark discusses whether pets can get seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and wonders if elephants are evolving to lose their tusks. Brendan then gets a bit angry when he reveals 87 elephants have been killed by poachers in Africa.

Movie Review by Brendan: The Predator 2018. Don’t bother. 2 out of 10. It’s that bad.

Eye diseases in unusual pets is our main topic this week. Brendan and Mark talk about commonly seen (pun intended), and some not so common, eye problems in rabbits guinea pigs, rodents, ferrets, reptiles and birds.

Links:

Can pets get seasonal affective disorder?

Mountain gorilla population rebounds

Some elephants are evolving to lose their tusks

87 Elephants Killed by Poachers in Africa’s ‘Last Safe Haven’

Support us via Patreon:  Patreon.com/vetgurus

Sponsors:

Specialised Animal Nutrition. Specialised Animal Nutrition is the Australian distributor of Oxbow Animal Health products. Used and recommended by top exotic animal veterinarians around the globe,  the Oxbow range comprises premium life-staged feeds and supportive care products for small herbivores.

Chemical Essentials. Cleaning and disinfection products and solutions for a wide variety of industries throughout Australia, as well as specific markets in New Zealand, Singapore and Papua New Guinea. The sole importer of the internationally acclaimed F10SC Disinfectant and its related range of advanced cleaning, personal hygiene and animal skin care products.

For previous episodes and show notes visit VetGurus.com

Contact us:   VetGurus@gmail.com    |   Twitter: @VetGurus    |  Facebook: facebook.com/VetGurus/


57: Legless



Could Llamas be the answer to the ideal human flu vaccine? Scientists had no idea where the world’s tiniest flightless bird came from, until now- Mark explains. In our final news story we debate if the era of greyhound racing is coming to an end.

Limbs. Or lack thereof. That is the main topic this week: amputation of limbs of various species is discussed by Brendan and Mark – what species do we commonly remove limbs from, and why? What species cope without a limb and what species don’t?

Product review: Opsite Flexigrid transparent film dressing. Brendan is enthusiastic about this versatile dressing. He particularly likes to use it for reptile skin lesions and post- surgery. He gives it a solid 8.3 out of 10.

Links:

Llamas could one day help prevent the flu

Scientists had no idea where the world’s tiniest flightless bird came from, until now

Is the era of greyhound racing finally over?

Opsite flexigrid transparent film dressing

For previous episodes and show notes visit VetGurus.com

Support us via Patreon:  Patreon.com/vetgurus

Sponsors: When you next purchase their products let them know you listen to the VetGurus and thank them for supporting us!! Specialised Animal Nutrition and Chemical Essentials  

Chemical Essentials. Cleaning and disinfection products and solutions for a wide variety of industries throughout Australia, as well as specific markets in New Zealand, Singapore and Papua New Guinea. The sole importer of the internationally acclaimed F10SC Disinfectant and its related range of advanced cleaning, personal hygiene and animal skin care products.

Specialised Animal Nutrition. Specialised Animal Nutrition is the Australian distributor of Oxbow Animal Health products. Used and recommended by top exotic animal veterinarians around the globe,  the Oxbow range comprises premium life-staged feeds and supportive care products for small herbivores.

Contact us:   VetGurus@gmail.com    |   Twitter: @VetGurus    |  Facebook: facebook.com/VetGurus/


56: Feeling Seedy



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Mark is on location this week – playing in a basketball tournament! While he ices his dodgy knee, Brendan decides what to do with dog faeces in our first news story. We also discuss if a wind farm monitor to prevent bird deaths would likely work, and marvel at some amazing photos.

Basic pet bird nutrition is the main topic this week. Brendan and Mark give the lowdown on what to recommend for clients to feed their feathered friends.

Links:

Wind farm monitors to warn of approaching wedge-tailed eagles in bid to prevent bird deaths

What should you do with your dog’s poop?

Sponsors: When you next purchase their products let them know you listen to the VetGurus and thank them for supporting us!! Specialised Animal Nutrition and Chemical Essentials  

Specialised Animal Nutrition. Specialised Animal Nutrition is the Australian distributor of Oxbow Animal Health products. Used and recommended by top exotic animal veterinarians around the globe,  the Oxbow range comprises premium life-staged feeds and supportive care products for small herbivores.

Chemical Essentials. Cleaning and disinfection products and solutions for a wide variety of industries throughout Australia, as well as specific markets in New Zealand, Singapore and Papua New Guinea. The sole importer of the internationally acclaimed F10SC Disinfectant and its related range of advanced cleaning, personal hygiene and animal skin care products.

Contact us:   VetGurus@gmail.com    |   Twitter: @VetGurus    |  Facebook: facebook.com/VetGurus/

 


53: Mega-Macro what?



We put recreational fishing under the spotlight this week with discussion of an article on why catch and release is tough on fish. Singapore Zoo use a 3D-printed prosthesis to give a hornbill a second chance of life and Brendan is happy that the tiger population in Nepal has rebounded. In our final news story Mark  muses on the rise of the ‘bin chicken’ – the Australian White Ibis.

‘Megabacteria’ infections in birds, Macrorhabdus ornithogaster, aka ‘gastric yeast’, or AGY, is the main topic. Brendan quizzes Mark on this condition in our feathered friends.

Contact us:   VetGurus@gmail.com    |   Twitter: @VetGurus    |    Facebook: facebook.com/VetGurus/

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Sponsors: When you next purchase their products let them know you listen to the VetGurus and thank them for supporting us!! Chemical Essentials and Specialised Animal Nutrition

Specialised Animal Nutrition. Specialised Animal Nutrition is the Australian distributor of Oxbow Animal Health products. Used and recommended by top exotic animal veterinarians around the globe,  the Oxbow range comprises premium life-staged feeds and supportive care products for small herbivores.

Chemical Essentials. Cleaning and disinfection products and solutions for a wide variety of industries throughout Australia, as well as specific markets in New Zealand, Singapore and Papua New Guinea. The sole importer of the internationally acclaimed F10SC Disinfectant and its related range of advanced cleaning, personal hygiene and animal skin care products.

Links: Why catch and release is tough on fish

Hornbill gets second chance at life with 3D-printed prosthetic

Tiger population rebounds, nearly doubling in Nepal

The rise of the ‘bin chicken’, a totem for modern Australia

 


51: Nasty Nine



Dinosaurs are alive –  at a new theme park in Portugal. Why do small dogs aim high when urinating? – Mark finds out! Brendan is concerned about a neighbourhood overrun by goats and a bounty placed on a Police dog’s head by a drug cartel. As usual, we report the important stories.

Nasty Nine: The main topic this week is a quick rundown of 9 nasty conditions in unusual pets that Mark and Brendan don’t like dealing with. Do you have a condition to add to the list: please email us vetgurus@gmail.com

Please support our sponsors Specialised Animal Nutrition and Chemical Essentials.

Links:

Dinosaur themed park has opened in Portugal

Neighbourhood overrun by goats

Small dogs aim high when peeing

Drug cartel puts bounty on police dog’s head

Please support our main sponsors. When you next purchase their products let them know you listen to the VetGurus and thank them for supporting us!!

Specialised Animal Nutrition. Specialised Animal Nutrition is the Australian distributor of Oxbow Animal Health products. Used and recommended by top exotic animal veterinarians around the globe,  the Oxbow range comprises premium life-staged feeds and supportive care products for small herbivores.

Chemical Essentials. Cleaning and disinfection products and solutions for a wide variety of industries throughout Australia, as well as specific markets in New Zealand, Singapore and Papua New Guinea. The sole importer of the internationally acclaimed F10SC Disinfectant and its related range of advanced cleaning, personal hygiene and animal skin care products.

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

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus


50: Say hello to my little friend



We dig deep into the sticky issue of the reported medicinal properties of Manuka honey.

Our main topic this week is Unusual Pets: more specifically, we outline common unusual pet species and debate which make good pets, and which species should not be kept.

Brendan competes his review of the Clarius veterinary wireless ultrasound system. He gives its a high 9.4

Send us an email to enter our competition for a mystery prize pack delivered to your door: VetGurus@gmail.com

Links:

Manuka Honey -science or snake oil?

Unique pollen signatures in Australian honey could help tackle a counterfeit industry

Why do Canberrans pronounce Manuka differently?

Please support our main sponsors:

Chemical Essentials. Cleaning and disinfection products and solutions for a wide variety of industries throughout Australia, as well as specific markets in New Zealand, Singapore and Papua New Guinea. The sole importer of the internationally acclaimed F10SC Disinfectant and its related range of advanced cleaning, personal hygiene and animal skin care products.

Specialised Animal Nutrition. Specialised Animal Nutrition is the Australian distributor of Oxbow Animal Health products. Used and recommended by top exotic animal veterinarians around the globe,  the Oxbow range comprises premium life-staged feeds and supportive care products for small herbivores.

VetGurus@gmail.com  Twitter: @VetGurus

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus