Tag Archives: medicine

Bung: 138



News


Main Topic: Constipation in reptiles

“My snake has not defaecated in 2 months..”. Not an uncommon conversation with a client. This week we talk about constipation in reptiles. How often should reptiles defaecate – what is normal? What are the telltale signs of constipation, and how do we approach this sticky problem?


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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.

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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.


67: Snake Top Ten



A good news story – Icelandic goats saved from extinction- and Brendan gets extremely emotional about this story. Mark then gets serious and talks about river systems and culverts for protection of fish. 

This week we have another Top Ten: Tips for dealing with snakes for clinicians who are unfamiliar with reptiles.  

Links

Meet the woman who saved the Icelandic goat from extinction  

Barriers to fish migration

 

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.

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 Become a VetGuru patron! Patreon.com/vetgurus

 

62: The show must go on



We’re back!!! Brendan is back for his pilgrimage to the far reaches of India, and he shares a few stories about his adventures.

We catch up with some news: Will our generation be remembered by the chicken bones we leave behind? What is the background of China’s legalisation of the rhino horn trade? Brendan muses over animal societies thriving without males, and Mark investigates the hairy business of the illegal market in tarantulas.

The UPAV (Unusual Pet and Avian Veterinarians) conference, recently held in Adelaide, South Australia, is the main topic of discussion this week. We chat about just a few of the excellent presentations from the conference.

Links:

Future archaeologists will remember us by the chicken bones we left behind

China’s legalisation of rhino horn trade: disaster or opportunity?

Termites: Advanced animal society can thrive without males

The illegal market for tarantulas is hairy business

The Unusual Pet and Avian Veterinarians (UPAV) special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA)

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

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Support our 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.

 


60: Alcatraz – Adrenal gland disease in Ferrets



Brendan is intrigued with camel beauty pageants and the shenanigans undertaken to enhance the chance of winning. Mark is looking even more radiant than usual after discussing advances in drugs to increase longevity, and he discusses some difficult ethical decisions veterinarians make when pressured by clients. In the final news story this week Brendan ask’s the age-old question: Can dog’s tell time?

Adrenal disease in ferrets is the main topic of this episode. What is it? How do ferrets get it? Can we treat it? Are there prevention options? We discuss these questions and more. WE have touched on this subject previously but not in an episode on its own.

Sponsors: 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/

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurusetGurus/

Links:

Inside the world of million-dollar beauty pageants for camels

Many veterinarians have ethical qualms about what some pet owners ask them to do

Scientists discover drug cocktail that doubles the lifespan of animals

 

 


59: Fluted Cats



How can a chimney save birds? When they are fake. Mark explains. Brendan is hot under the collar about leaf blowers as he continues to turn into a cranky old man! In other news Mark and Brendan marvel at the wildlife Photographer of the year awards for 2018, and we are glad to see that Lee Burger has won an award.

The main topic this week is fluted cats – or FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease).

Links:

How fake chimneys can help save birds

Wildlife photographer of the year awards 2018

Fighting frog fungus: Lee Berger wins PM’s Life Scientist 2018 award

Why we should ditch leaf blowers

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.

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

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

 


54: UV or Not UV?



A deaf and blind dog missing for 5 years is reunited with its owners in yet another good news story from Brendan. Mark is enthused about the educational aspects of octopuses, and wonders if having a dog increase your chance of a tinder date? To balance things out, the final news story is about cats: Are cat lovers under the influence of Toxoplasmosis? Perhaps not, though that kitten is very cute…

UV lighting in reptiles is our main topic. Brendan and Mark outline the basics of this fascinating topic, including the practicalities of how to provide adequate UV for captive reptiles.

Links:

Toxoplasma gondiiIs it related to increased risk of psychiatric disorder, poor impulse control, personality aberrations or neurocognitive impairment?  Also see this article

Missing for 5 years, deaf and blind dog is reunited with her family

‘Octopuses tell people good conservation stories’

Using your pet to leverage your Tinder chances

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/

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurusetGurus/


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

 


52: The Prophet Arnold



We are pleased, and relieved, to have Mark back from his recent ventures near Sulawesi in Indonesia. He was there at the time of the earthquake and subsequent Tsunami which has resulted in devastating loss of life and environmental destruction.

The VetGurus get all the breaking news. This week Brendan is breathless talking about an inflatable pet hospital and spins some positive talk about Australian funnel-web spiders, whilst Mark muses on why mammals went the fur route instead of feathers and is surprised at the spotting of a beluga whale in the Thames River in England.

Patient care from admission to discharge is our main topic this week. Mark and Brendan dispense tips and their tricks to ensure the patient is cared for properly and respectfully. They provide some great practice building tips and also tell a few lame jokes.

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 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.

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

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Sponsors: Specialised Animal Nutrition and Chemical Essentials.

Links:

Inflatable veterinary field hospital launched ahead of South Australia’s fire season

Why did mammals go the fur route, rather than developing feathers?

Deadly Australian funnel-web spiders can also kill melanoma cancer cells, study shows

‘Extremely rare’ beluga whale spotted in Thames in London


49: Can’t stand the heat?



A puppy undergoes a world first complex heart surgery in London. Are we heading for a world without turtles? We also try to answer patron Sandy’s thought provoking email questions. On a lighter note we look at the finalists for the 2018 Comedy Wildlife Photography awards.

Our main topic this week is oestrogen toxicity in ferrets: what is it? We chat about how to treat it, and what steps you can do to prevent it.

Enter our 50th episode competition to win!  Just send us an email to enter. It IS that simple: VetGurus@gmail.com  Twitter: @VetGurus

Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

The film review by Brendan is The Big Year. He gives it a 7.3.

Please support our main 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.

Links:

Puppy undergoes world-first combination surgery

Finalists For Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2018

Are we heading for a world without turtles?