Tag Archives: Guinea Pig

74: Piggy Pee



What is it with crossbreed dogs? Why do we have to call them a ‘new’ breed. Brendan get a tad fired up about breed naming conventions. Mark gets all zen with a story on rainfall and prediction of bird colours and wonders why some cats are neurotic. In our final news story Brendan finds a use for old mascara wands…. just in cases you needed to know!

Urinary issues in guinea pigs is our main topic this week. Yes, we have this covered this topic before – in our second ever episode: Ham and Bacon, BUT this is a further update and we have had requests to talk about guinea pig urinary issue from listeners.

Links:

What’s the deal with doodle dogs?

Rainfall and temperature predict bird colouration, study finds

How old mascara wands can help wildlife

If your cat is neurotic, it may be your fault

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Support our 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.

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.


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/


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

 


34: Unusually Common



Does the human race do anything right? Well, we are very good at eradicating other species. Greyhound racing is banned in the Australian Capital Territory and giant predatory worms have invaded France! So what exactly is the Icarus project and why are we excited about it? Listen to our news section to find out.

A rapid fire discussion of 10 conditions of unusual pets is our main topic this week. Brendan and Mark point out some common reasons why various unusual pets are brought to see a vet – including some conditions you may be seeing, but not noticing.

Links:

Human race just 0.01% of all life but has eradicated most other living things

Greyhound racing and trialling in Australian Capital Territory banned

Giant predatory worms have invaded France

Where do songbirds go when the music’s over? The Icarus project

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

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus


27: The Kindest Cut



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

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 5: Do Rabbits Fart?



We launch our new domain name – VetGurus.com. News and book review. Our first listener email is answered. How long to fast exotic pets before routine surgery? Mark interviews Brendan about the Melbourne Rabbit Expo which was held last weekend. Do Rabbits Fart? Discussion on the toothpaste method of removing uroliths in Guinea Pigs.

To contact us send an email to vetgurus@gmail.com

Book review: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance You can purchase the book on Amazon here

Links:

PlatinumCPD – Hosts of the Melbourne Rabbit Expo

AVA Love is Blind campaign

No Hairs Ark Chinese Crested Rescue