Veterinary Podcast by the VetGurus

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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Become a VetGuru patron! Patreon.com/vetgurus

Veterinary student numbers increase in the UK, as they do in many other countries: Brendan and Mark discuss the implications. The secret fighting lives of hummingbirds are revealed, and we find out why killer whale pregnancies fail. Do you have a floppy-eared dog? Is it cute? We find out why floppy ears are thought less threatening than erect ear. How to Train Your Vet. The main topic is a discussion for veterinary nurses/technicians. We debate the ins and outs of how to deal with cranky vets, problem clients, and which staff members to follow when starting a new job. If you are hungry then listen to the end for Brendan’s gnocchi recipe! Links: Why do two-thirds of killer whale pregnancies fail? Veterinary student numbers increase in the UK The secret lives of hummingbirds Why do floppy-eared dogs seem friendlier? Sponsors 2019 welcomes a new sponsor of the VetGurus podcast. Microchips Australia has generously agreed to help pay for our production costs. See below for more details of their products and services – visit them now to learn more. We are also excited to welcome back Chemical Essentials and Specialised Animal Nutrition as sponsors for 2019. Please visit their sites to learn more about these great 3 companies and help us by helping them! 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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Become a VetGuru patron! Patreon.com/vetgurus

How does chicken soup make you feel better? Brendan explains. Mark dives deep into the question of how to monitor waterway health via monitoring fish sounds and investigates Turtle Rain. in the final news story Brendan summarises a recent publication on anaesthetic deaths in pets. Heating is our main topic this week. We discuss the details of how to provide adequate heating for unusual pet enclosures – reptiles, birds and mammals. There is also a short discussion of heating for critically ill patients and Brendan and Mark also touch on heating requirements for amphibians and fish. Contact us: [email protected]  Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on to keep our podcast going! become a VetGuru patron! Patreon.com/vetgurus Links: How chicken soup makes you feel better, according to science Study investigates anaesthetic- caused deaths in pets Turtle Rain

In this New Year’s special we interview James Harris. We interviewed James at the Adelaide UPAV conference and it was a pleasure to chat to him. James is universally known and loved as a living legend in exotic pet medicine, with a phenomenal reputation as an exotics and wildlife veterinarian. He outlines his journey from the UK to the USA, and eventually Tasmania, where he now resides. James was awarded an Order of Australia medal for services to wildlife care. Contact us: [email protected]  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.

It’s our Christmas special with Mark and Brendan getting into the holiday spirit (literally) as they reminisce over the happenings in 2018 and look forward to 2019. News: The winners of the 2018 Comedy Wildlife Awards are out.. and, not surprisingly, they are quite humorous. In other news, a dog digs up a bone. We wish all our wonderful listeners a safe, happy and restful holiday period and a wonderful 2019. Links: Exuberant digging dog unearths 13,000-year-old woolly mammoth tooth Squirrel can’t believe who won the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards Coral Reefs Around The World Are In Grave Danger Contact us: [email protected]  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.

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: [email protected] 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.  

Its goats and more goats this week: Brendan talks about weedbusting goats and a list of things you didn’t know about this fascinating species. A good news story with heroic huskies rescuing a hiker in Alaska, and are cities making animals smarter. Main topic: Limb and tail amputation in reptiles. Why is this such a common procedure? Mark and Brendan give their thoughts, and tips for performing partial limb and tail amputation in reptiles. Links: Weedbusting goats Heroic husky rescues injured hiker in Alaska Things about goats you may not know Are cities making animals smarter? 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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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: [email protected] | 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 Can dogs tell time? Scientists discover drug cocktail that doubles the lifespan of animals    

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: [email protected] | Twitter: @VetGurus | Facebook: facebook.com/VetGurus/ Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus  

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: [email protected] | Twitter: @VetGurus | Facebook: facebook.com/VetGurus/

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: [email protected] | Twitter: @VetGurus | Facebook: facebook.com/VetGurus/

Support us via Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus 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: [email protected] | Twitter: @VetGurus | Facebook: facebook.com/VetGurus/  

Welcome Guru-listeners. Great to have you onboard for this week! News: For the dinosaur aficionados out there we chat about whether those small arms of T. rex are of any use. A mushroom extract may help save bees. Our final news story is a call to all Australians to get the FrogID app. and participate in FrogID week from 9-18 November. Hop to it! This week’s main topic is amphibian care. Brendan and Mark outline the basics of caring for frogs, including enclosure setup and cleaning, feeding, lighting and heating. 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: [email protected] | Twitter: @VetGurus | Facebook: facebook.com/VetGurus/ Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurusetGurus/ Links: T. rex’s tiny arms may have been useful after all Mushroom extract may help save bees The FrogID app can be found here.

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 gondii: Is 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: [email protected] | Twitter: @VetGurus | Facebook: facebook.com/VetGurus/ Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurusetGurus/

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: [email protected] | 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  

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: [email protected] | 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

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 [email protected] 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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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: [email protected] 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. [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus  

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: [email protected] 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?

We welcome our new ‘beardie’ patron: Sandy from Canberra, Australia. A big shout out to Sandy for helping cover our production costs, and thanks for the thought-provoking email – keep them coming! Why don’t YOU become a patron of our show, become famous, and feel good on the inside and outside? Visit Patreon.com/vetgurus for more details. In news this week California passes a bill banning the sale of cosmetics tested on animals and we bemoan the extinction of some bird species. In the final news story we discuss whether a puppy can save endangered owls. Endoscopy basics is the main topic of this week. Mark and Brendan get excited and enthuse about all the places you can shove a metal tube into! We outline the basics of endoscopy for those wishing to get started. It’s fun, easy to start, and a lot more inexpensive than you think. As Arnie would say: “Do it, do it now!” Links: These 8 bird species are the first to be declared extinct this decade California passes bill banning sale of cosmetics tested on animals Scientists want to train this puppy to save endangered owls 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. Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

We investigate the New Zealand town that wants to ban cats. A huge drop of a king penguin population. Are Mumbai’s leopard’s good or bad? Thats the news stories for this week.. oh, and Mark talks about how to hang a birdhouse without harming the tree or the bird! Rabbit nutrition is the main topic this week. What is the best diet for pet rabbits? What is bad? What is toxic? Listen and find out all this and more. Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus Become a patron of the VetGurus – how about a being a bug, a rabbit or maybe an echidna? We have supporter levels of varying types. ALL the proceeds go back into help cover our costs for producing the podcast. So go-on – become a patron: Patreon.com/vetgurus 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. Links: NZ town that wants to ban cats Worlds biggest king penguin population plummets 90% Mumbai’s leopards have killed humans – but could they also be saving lives? How to hang a birdhouse without harming the tree or bird!  

Pacific Chocolate and the koala genome – what’s the link? Listen and find out. Also hear about the vegetarian bear, dairy farming in India and finally, why chickens may wear diapers/nappies. Now that’s a variety of news items. Chlamydiosis in birds is this weeks main topic. Brendan quizzes Mark to find out how prevalent this disease is in pet birds, then they both discuss zoonotic aspects of this disease – Psittacosis. The discussion includes diagnostic steps, treatment options and control. Links: Cracking the koala genetic code Large vegetarian bear Does your chicken need a diaper? The Indian dairy industry 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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Brendan wants to go to Bali – for work of course. Maybe he will be less angry about the situation with greyhound racing in New South Wales if he had a break? Mark goes mad about the pesky parasite toxoplasmosis, then sniffs out a story details dog’s detecting cancer in our final news story this week. Upper respiratory tract diseases of the rabbit is our main topic this week. ‘Snuffles’ is the catch-all phrase often used to describe these disorders. We talk about the various causes of these commonly seen upper respiratory diseases in rabbits. Mark and Brendan then get down to a serious discussion of treatment and have a philosophical debate on the possibility of preventing these conditions. Links: Greyhound racing prize criticised in New South Wales The dark side of toxoplasma Joint Conference of the Asian Society of Conservation Medicine (ASCM) and the Wildlife Disease Association Australasia (WDAA) in Bali Dog’s noses and cancer detection 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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus    

Is it a fish, is it a bird – or is it just a toxic mess? We look at the amazing fish-bird found in China. A kelpie sells for a record price in Australia. In our last news story Mark gets angry, very angry, about some ‘facts’ of the Jurassic world film. Our main topic this week is in response to an email from a long-time subscriber. Tom asks ‘how do I encourage veterinary staff to get excited about unusual and exotic pets?’ Listen on and we will try to help answer this, and more questions or is that answers?! Links: Half-fish half-bird found in China Working dog sells for record price Fact checking Jurassic world 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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Welcome to the VetGurus podcast! Where else can you find out how to stop seagulls getting drunk, learn about a new species of venomous snake, hear about breeding rhinos in Australia and debate the pros and cons of animal research? Nowhere else! That’s why you listen (sometimes) and why we provide you with the best (or maybe the most obscure) news items.. and keep the emails coming in with news items for us to share. Our main topic this week is vomiting in dogs. Brendan and Mark chat about cases of ‘garbage guts’ – acute vomiting in dogs. They discuss their top 10 – or maybe 20 – tips for dealing with these cases, such as how long do you ‘rest the gut’? What diagnostics to consider (or not)? Links: Drunk seagulls Rhinos in Australia? New species of venomous snake discovered Animal research: Necessary evil? The Joint Conference of the Asian Society of Conservation Medicine (ASCM) and the Wildlife Disease Association Australasia (WDAA) in Bali Oct 28th to 29th 2018 Support our 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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus  

A flight crew springs to action to help a French Bulldog. How smart are birds? – we find out – sort of; and a discussion of wild animals helping us in the garden are news items this week. Our final news item is about an incursion of the varroa honey bee mite into Melbourne, Australia. This weeks main topic? Here it is: Illegal pets. Brendan and mark discuss the complex factors at play when dealing with illegal pets – from the massive money involved in the trade of these animals, the threat they are to ecosystems – both from zoonoses and competing with native species, and the decisions to make when presented with these animals at a veterinary clinic. Our product review this week is the Clarius C7 wireless portable veterinary ultrasound. Brendan had the opportunity to trial this ultrasound in his practice recently and he found it very user-friendly, in fact a joy to use compared to traditional ultrasounds. Brendan checks out another Clarius ultrasound soon and he will score these products in a later podcast. Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus Links: Clarius C7 Veterinary Ultrasound Illegal trade in wildlife Flight crew helps French Bulldog How smart are birds? Wild animals help guard your garden Varroa mites detected in Melbourne, Australia Support our 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.    

Here we go again with topical veterinary news, information and lame jokes. Mark is seeing a run on nutritional deficits in patients presented to Sugarloaf Animal Hospital, which leads to a discussion of home made versus commercial foods for pets. Flat faced rabbits are in the news for all the wrong reasons, and we find out how bees may save elephants from train collisions. Poncho the Police Dog in in the news for his resuscitation play. On our final news story we chat about snail-sucking snakes- why not? Ferrets are our main topic this week. In particular, we discuss insulinomas in pet ferrets. We cover the diagnosis, treatment options and possible causes of this relatively common condition. And, as usual, Mark has a theory…. Please support our two 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. Links: Brachycephalic rabbits – information here and here Elephants colliding with trains and how to avoid 5 new species of snail-sucking snakes discovered Poncho the Police Dog Cockatiel that speaks guinea pigs Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

How should we talk to dogs? We finds out all about ‘dog speak’ in our first news item. Dachshunds are popular pets in the UK – should they be? A good news story to finish: a dog saves a young boy from a dryer. Dr David Middleton is our star guest and main topic for this week. David is the owner of Mt. Mary vineyard in the Yarra Vallet wine region of Melbourne, Australia. Not only is he famous for his wonderful wines, David mentored Brendan when he was a zoo veterinarian. We sit down with David to discuss wildlife medicine, tell a few stores, and David tells us a wonderful story from his days working as a zoo veterinarian in the field. A wonderful man and a person we could chat to for much longer. We expect we will have David back on our podcast in the future. The interview was done at the Australian Veterinary Association annual conference. Product review Mark scores a 8.6 for the : Alivecor vet ECG monitor Please support our two 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. Links: Mt. Mary Winery European Wasps Dog Speak Dachshunds as pets in Britain Dog saves boy from tumble dryer Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Bees get stressed – really! Good news about the wild jaguars of Mexico, and Mark is talking to dogs and trying to stop cats eating wildlife. In other news Brendan and Mark finally catch up on some emails, and we announce or new sponsors. Gout in reptiles is the main topic this week. We discuss what it is, the signs of gout in reptiles, diagnostic steps and treatment options. We are excited to introduce our two main sponsors: Chemical Essentials and Specialised Animal Nutrition. They have donated a considerable sum to help cover the costs to produce the VetGurus podcast. More details on our sponsors soon! Please visit their website and support our supporters.. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vettalkpodcast/ Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Birds can see Earth’s magnetic fields – we find out how. A dog saves a child lost in the Australian outback, predators help farmers and mushrooms kill dogs. A mix of news stories this week to get things started. Thanks to Doug Black for the link to the Bird article. Euthanasia is our main topic. Specifically, we walk through the 2-stage process for euthanasia of unusual pets, and also discuss the logistics of how to help our clients during the stressful time of the planned death of a loved pet. Our review this week is a non- veterinary topic: the film Solo: A Star Wars Story. Brendan gives it a 6 out of 10 and Mark scores a 6.2. Both of us were very disappointed with this film and suggest anyone considering watching it wait until it is out for viewing at home via streaming on on DVD/Bluray. Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus Links: Birds can see Earth’s magnetic fields Dogs die for eating poisonous mushrooms Dog keeps child safe in Australian wilderness Helping farmers: the benefits of predators Pushing animals to be more nocturnal

Did you know blue-tongued skinks have UV emitting tongues? Now you do. Who is Pizza the polar bear and why should you care? Why are most dolphins called Bruce, and what’s with all the questions?? All these questions and more are answered in our news section. Product reviews: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury gets a 9.451 out of 10 from Brendan. Fencing wire for use as an endotracheal stylet gets a 10 out of 10. The main topic this week is Part 2 of Dental Disease in Rabbits. We dive into the gear recommended to perform dental treatments in rabbits, and also describe the methods for extracting incisors and burring cheek teeth. Links: Blue-tongue skinks and their UV emitting tongues Pizza the Polar Bear Bees and nothing Male dolphin names Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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 Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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) Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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 [email protected] 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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

News is a bit depressing this week with a story about a kangaroo in a zoo stoned because it wasn’t hoping for visitors; popular animals facing higher extinction rates and the severity of the 2016 Great Barrier Reef bleaching. Brighter news is the story of Toby the cat who found a new home after his owners rejected him. The product review from Mark is a bit left-field, with his take on the state of Australian basketball. We’re not sure what it has to do with veterinary medicine, however his enthusiasm is infectious and he gives the Australian basketball a perfect score of 10. Not much room for improvement! Avian anaesthesia, with emphasis on how to keep the patient stable .. and alive.. during the procedure, is our main topic. Brendan quizzes Mark to learn the secrets of bird anaesthesia, including a discussion on mounting, fluid therapy, thermal support and more. Don’t forget to send in an email to [email protected] 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: A kangaroo wouldn’t hop – so zoo visitors stoned it to death Popular animals face higher risk of extinction Toby the cat walked 12 miles to get back to the family that didn’t want him How the 2016 bleaching altered the shape of the northern Great Barrier Reef Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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 Squirrels Are Also Baby-Killing Cannibals Australia’s last flamingo, ‘Chile’, dies at Adelaide Zoo Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Brendan has lost his mind – literally. He outlines his recent experience with transient global amnesia and a stay in hospital over the Easter period. In other news birds are pests in Melbourne – or are they?; and the concerns about backyard chickens and human health. Our main topic this week is dental disease in rabbits. We regard this as such an important (and often requested) topic that this is part one of a series of podcasts on rabbit dental disease. Links: Lyssavirus in Queensland Transient Global Amnesia Increased numbers of long- billed Corellas in Melbourne Backyard Chickens and Human Health concerns Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

A dog in a park, Sea Turtles on a Mumbai beach, and a billboard built for birds in Sweden are the varied news items this week. In other news, Mark ponders on how rabies causes aggression. Our main topic is eggs and incubation. Mark talks us through the process of candling eggs to determine if the embryo is viable, the basics of incubation and tips to maximise the chance of the eggs hatching. We then provide an overview of the approach to infertility in birds – what to do when a client brings infertile eggs into the clinic for advice. Links: Priam Parrot Breeding information Sea turtles return to Mumbai beach after 20-year absence How does rabies cause aggression? Photographer captures bittersweet spirit of a dog who has been living in a park for 13 years Swedish billboard is quite literally for the birds Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

The news topics just keep on coming: How can dogs help us understand cancer? Can we use cats to control feral rats?; and some quirky facts (and fiction) about platypus. These are the news items this week, together with the sad tale of the last male northern white rhino dying. Sorry is the title of our main topic this week, as we delve into the complex matter of dealing with complaints. Brendan and Mark outline their experiences with dealing with complaints, and provide some thoughts on the best way to tackle these – something few, if any, people enjoy dealing with. Our product review is the Spidentify app for Australian spider identification Links: Platypus facts (or fiction?) How dogs are helping us understand cancer Last male northern white rhino dies Are feral cats the answer to rat infestations? Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

How long have you had your pet? We meet a woman who has had the same pet for 56 years. Mark gets the claws out and becomes haughty about declawing, and is anxious about caring for sick pets. In the final news item we put to bed the age-old question – can a newt kill you? This week’s main topic is how to make the surgical vet visit run smoothly from the client and pet perspective. Tips such as completing as much paperwork as possible before the surgery, having the client leave some favourite food and bedding items, and sending dog and cats home with a bandana are discussed – and more! We are excited to announce our competition. It’s easy to enter and you can win a signed copy of A Guide to Health and Disease in Reptiles and Amphibians, a text Brendan has co-authored. We will even pay for the postage to send it to the winner! How to enter: email us a funny veterinary story that you have witnessed – either as a veterinarian or a veterinary nurse/technician. Easy! send your story to [email protected]. Mark and Brendan will review the entries and announce the winner in an upcoming podcast. Good luck! News: Woman has the same pet for 56 years Can a newt kill you? Declawing linked to aggression and other abnormal behaviours in cats Caring for a sick pet can increase anxiety, depression Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Mark is looking resplendent in his Lacoste Polo shirt this week – trying to convince us he wears it for a good cause. In other news dogs are in the bad books – threatening wildlife and wreaking havoc on beaches, whilst Brendan ponders the choice of colour in a newly discovered giant slug. Mark’s book review is 1Q84, a dystopian novel. You can find more information here. He rates it a 7 out of 10. Brendan’s Melbourne Veterinary School Class 30th Reunion – can you see him? The main topic this week is dealing with dystocia in reptiles: What works? Medical or surgical or a combination of both? Oxytocin use, incubation of eggs, and an alternative use of the Toothpaste Technique is discussed. Links: Domestic dogs threaten endangered species worldwide Dogs and leashes, birds and beaches Lacoste swaps out iconic croc logo for endangered species The giant pink slugs of Mount Kaputar Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

Mark is angry about dogs licking their faces, yet happy about horses roaming free. Brendan flexes his muscles with talk about a squirrel glider gym and is pleased that the 1st International Snail Grand National has been cancelled – ready, set, escargot for this and more from the VetGurus! Wildlife care is our main topic this week. A discussion on triage of wildlife brought into veterinary clinics, including decisions on when to euthanase, analgesia options, and the debate about who pays for wildlife care. Links: Przewalski’s horse: 10 things you didn’t know Squirrel Glider rehabilitation What do dogs licking lips tell us? Snail race cancelled Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus  

We marvel at the 2017 Wildlife Photo competition winners, watch some 3D with our praying mantis friends, and a cow joins a herd of wild bison in the news this week. A subscriber puts Brendan and mark on the spot by asking about the ethics of keeping unusual pets – or any pets for that matter. Our main topic this week is gastrointestinal stasis in rabbits – often referred to as gut stasis or ileus. The contributing factors of this condition in pet rabbits, together with treatment options are discussed, as well as preventative measures. Book Review: Exotic Animal Formulary 5th Edition can be found at BookDepository or Amazon. Brendan gives this essential reference text for exotic and unusual pets 8.9 out of 10. Links: 2017 WildlifePhoto Competition Winners 3D vision in Praying Mantises Cow joins a herd of wild Bison Oxbow Critical Care for Herbivores Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus

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!: Contact us: [email protected] Twitter: @VetGurus Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/vetgurus