Category Archives: Rodent

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

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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.

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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

 


45: It’s not a tumour… (or is it?)



Dogs prefer reggae when stressed… apparently. Or did you already know that? How about teaching birds to collect litter? Or did you hear about the Dengue fever outbreak halted by the release of mosquitoes? So many great news stories this week we decided to finish with 20 things you may not know about Zebras. Once you’ve listened to all this news you will be ready for your local quiz night, or to bore your family or partner.

Mammary tumours in rats and mice is the main topic this week. Brendan and Mark discuss their approach to the these neoplasms in rodents: from diagnosis, to treatment, and prevention.

Links:

Stressed dogs prefer reggae and soft rock

French theme park teaches birds to collect litter

Dengue fever outbreak halted by release of special mosquitoes

20 things you may not know about Zebras

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!!

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

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus


42: Heavy Breathing



A new species of armoured dinosaur has been identified and we report on this gorgeous, yet extinct, animal in our first news story. Brendan is sad, and his dogs know it; Mark is excited about a sun bear birth in the UK and is the pet trade killing off species? We find out – because we get the big stories.

Respiratory diseases in rats and mice is our main topic this week. An important topic, chronic respiratory disease is endemic in pet rodents – certainly a topic not to sneeze at.

Support our sponsors: When you next purchase their products let them know you listen to the VetGurus and thank them for supporting us!!

Links:

Scientists discover new species of armored dinosaur that lived 76 million years ago

Dogs know when we are sad

Birth of a sun bear cub in UK

Trading in extinction: how the pet trade is killing off many animal species

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

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus


22: Guinea Pigs – Top 10 Tips and Tricks



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


Episode 18: Itchy and Scratchy – Feb 16 2018



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!:

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Episode 13: Lucky for some



Here we are already half way through January. Brendan and Mark are both back at work fighting the good fight against pesky parasites, belligerent bacteria, vexatious virus, and cranky clients.

In news, snake eggs are found in a school sandpit in Australia, pumas (or wild mountain lions) are picky when choosing their sleeping sites, and the Mekong region reveals over 100 new species. Mark fires Brendan up with a story about the animal inspirations behind the newest Star Wars creatures, then brings us back to earth with an article about the mental health of animal shelter workers.

Since this is our 13th episode – lucky for some – we decided to make our main topic a chat about the lifespan of pets. How old can we expect our small mammals, birds and reptiles to live for? No spoilers – subscribe and listen to learn the answers.

Links:

Snake eggs found in Australian school sandpit

Pumas sleeping habits revealed

Mekong region reveals 115 new species

Greater Mekong region

Animal inspiration behind the Last Jedi creatures

Why do animal shelter workers burn out?

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

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Outro music courtesy of Canadian Lee Rosevere from happypuppyrecords.ca


Episode 8: Rats




Lots of news this week: Vets save lions from illegal zoo in Bulgaria. Australian vets no longer require licensing for examining dogs and cats for export. Mark walks on the wild side with his experience dealing with venomous animals, and we discuss pigeon brains. Brendan provides some insider tips to Melbourne culture and explains why the ‘magic’ is his new favourite beverage and how it can help you discern the good from the bad coffee establishments. The final news item is that the Magpie have been voted Australia’s favourite bird, though Brendan and Mark have other thoughts.

We launch out Patreon site where subscribers can help by ‘throwing us a bone’ and kicking in a donation to keep the VetGurus podcast going.

Mark shines a light on the WolfEyes Tactical torch in a product review.

The main topic this week is rat care. The basics of preventative health for pet rodents are discussed, including diet, desexing, environmental enrichment and geriatric care.

Links:

Melbourne’s Magic coffee is for coffee lovers. Find out more about the types of coffee you can get in Melbourne at this website or here

An overview of the Australian Magpie.

Vets save lions from illegal zoo in Bulgaria. Article from Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Pigeon brains

Wolf eyes tactical beam wildlife torch

Support us on Patreon here and keep our Podcast running by helping cover costs and throwing us a bone.

VetGurus@gmail.com

Twitter: @VetGurus

Outro music courtesy of Canadian Lee Rosevere from happypuppyrecords.ca