Veterinary Podcast by the VetGurus

News Too much sex is killing quolls, and now we know why New venomous snake found in Australia Main Topic:  Dental disease in Snakes It’s the end of dental month here in Australia so what better time to discuss dental disease in snakes! We start with a fascinating overview of snake dentition then chomp down on snake dental disease. See this link for details of snake dentition. VetGurus...

News Scientists name snake species after Harrison Ford Research to study artificial intelligence use in cow diagnosis Main Topic:  Amphibian Anaesthesia It’s sleep time this week with a discussion of anaesthesia in amphibians. Get your bath ready and listen in! VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded items...

News What’s your favourite Aussie animal sound? Our poll is down to the top 10 and we want your vote Impact of methods and duration of surgical hand scrub on bacterial count: A randomized controlled trial These ants build tall nest hills to help show the way home Main Topic:  Pneumonia in Rabbits Lower respiratory disease – specifically pneumonia – in rabbits can be very cha...

News Newfound bat skeletons are the oldest on record Can’t beat them? Eat them: the fight against the US wild boar plague Main Topic:  Eye conditions in Guinea Pigs A common cause of eye issues in pet guinea pigs is a foreign body, such as a grass seed. There are, however, other eye conditions seen in GP’s that ned to be on your radar. This week we discuss the more common causes of why...

News How studying faeces may help us boost white rhino populations Scientists thought snakes didn’t have clitorises. They were wrong Main Topic:  Respiratory Diseases in pet birds Part 2 It’s part 2 our of discussion of respiratory diseases in birds. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded items. All purch...

News Australia, New Zealand veterinary schools near ‘crisis’ Inquiry into veterinary workplace shortages in NSW Main Topic:  Respiratory Diseases in pet birds A common reason for unwell pet birds: to present to veterinary clinics: respiratory signs. It’s the first part of a multi-part main topic as there is a lot to cover. Sit down, shut up and listen in! VetGurus Merchandise &#82...

News Lee Point protesters fined for trespassing as Darwin’s Defence development remains on hold Drones are disturbing critically endangered shorebirds Main Topic:  ocular enucleation in birds One-eyed birds: When is this appropriate? Mark opines on the value of eye removal in birds as a salvage procedure. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGur...

News Coral-eating fish poo may act as ‘probiotics’ for reefs Hard act to swallow: gull caught on film eating squirrel whole Main Topic: Egg incubation in Reptiles We touched on the topic of bird egg incubation way back in Episode 25 (‘Hatch’ 5th April 2018). This week we dive into reptile egg incubation. Enjoy! VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the...

News Saving moths may be just as important as saving the bees Earless dragon rediscovery like finding the Tasmanian tiger Main Topic: Antibiotic use in unusual pets The use (and abuse) of antibiotics in unusual and exotic pets. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded items. All purchases help support our podcast , he...

News The news is that we have cracked the 300th Episode mark. Woohoo! Main Topic: 300th Episode How did we manage this? 300 Episodes – all thanks to you: our subscribers, sponsors, listeners. Mark and Brendan reminisce over the ‘old times’, and talk rubbish- as usual. Enjoy! Send an email to VetGurus@gmail.com VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkou...

News Pig brain cells may have cured a sea lion’s epilepsy— are humans next? Main Topic: 5 Fantastic Feathered Facts Mark’s on a roll this week, with 5 fantastic bird facts to ponder over. Will you agree with his theories? VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded items. All purchases help support our podcas...

News No news is good news. Since this is one of our short ‘Podbites’ Epsides, we don’t have any news items this week Main Topic: Use of Pre and Probiotics in Birds Mark is quizzed by Brendan about the use and value of prebiotics and probiotics for our avian pets. What is your thought on the value of these? Send an email to VetGurus@gmail.com VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus...

News For the First Time Since 1977, Zero Rhinos Were Poached In India’s Parks Ancient 5ft penguin weighed as much as a gorilla Main Topic: Dental Disease in Ferrets Bite, chew, rip. Some things many pet ferrets do not do – contributing to dental disease in this species. This week we discuss dental disease in pet ferrets – causes treatment and prevention. Get stuck in! VetGurus Merchand...

News Wet pet food is far worse for climate than dry food, study finds Northern elephant seals sleep just two hours a day at sea Main Topic: Feather issues in birds We ruffle the feathers this week – literally – with an overview of feather issues in birds. There has been a few previous episodes with discussion about feathers (example Ep. 192 in June 2021 on feather picking) however this...

News The remarkable science behind fat bears that holds important lessons for human health Main Topic: Ferret ear wax and otitis It’s the topic you’ve been waiting for: a discussion of ferret ears and their ear wax. Enjoy! VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded items. All purchases help support our podca...

News A newfound ‘croakless’ frog may communicate via touch Scientists have mapped an insect brain in greater detail than ever before Main Topic: Dealing with difficult clients A client is ranting and raging in reception. The other clients (and pets) are cowering, quietly pretending to ignore the situation. You can’t avoid it, as YOU are the focus of the angry client… or are you? This w...

News Goffin’s cockatoos able to use toolset to complete tasks Why discovering a ‘true’ giant wombat fossil in Qld is a big deal Main Topic: Guinea Pig Caesarean We tackle Guinea Pig caesareans this week – let’s get cutting! VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded items. All purchases help support our podc...

News Capybaras thrive, even near humans, because they’re not picky eaters Woman, 56, first person to die from H3N8 bird flu: WHO Main Topic: Urinary sludge in Rabbits A common finding when examining rabbits is urinary sludge. What is it; is it of concern; if so, how do we deal with it? VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive...

Review Mark details and reviews his simple and elegant rig for macro wildlife photos. Unsurprisingly , it received an 8.6 out of 10 score. Main Topic: Bloat in Rabbits We covered bloat in rabbits way back in Episode 175 (Feb 5/2021). We thought it was time to revisit this topic as it a common topic at exotic clinics, conferences, and at the bar (Brendan and Mark visit some unusual drinking places!...

Main Topic: Reptile Papers This week we delve into some published papers relating to reptiles News Colonic Diverticulosis in a Black Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi) Husbandry, Diseases, and Veterinary Care of the Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) Repair of a Comminuted Femur Fracture in a Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) Using a Double Plating Technique VetGurus Merchandise –...

News Bogong but not forgotten: Website helps track moth that needs a hand They found its legs. Now the search for the rest of the thunderbird … is go! Main Topic: Pododermatitis in Birds A relatively common issue in avian practice is foot problems in pet birds, specifically pododermatitis. This week Brendan quizzes Mark on the ins and outs of ‘bumblefoot’. VetGurus Merchandise –...

News US says it’s ‘likely impossible’ to eradicate invasive Burmese python population Kookaburra cull of 350 birds lands Tasmanian man a $5,000 fine for incorrect weapons permit Main Topic: Household hazards in pet birds Mark covers household hazards for pet birds… look out! VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive bran...

News Gloria the Green Tree Python saved by UQ Vets Orange-bellied parrot shows there’s more to saving endangered species than captive breeding Main Topic: Ferret Facts It’s rapid-fire time this week with Five Fantastic Fun Ferret Facts from Brendan. Some quirky, all fun. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded...

News Tiger sharks helped discover the world’s largest seagrass prairie Survey finds more than two-thirds of Australian households now own a pet Main Topic: Frilled lizards This week we delve into the fascinating frilled lizard ( Chlamydosaurus kingi ), also known as the frill-necked lizard or frilled dragon. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range...

News Fish can recognize themselves in photos, further evidence they may be self-aware Why male giraffes drink potential mates’ pee Main Topic: Foreign Bodies in Reptiles We covered gastrointestinal obstructions in birds in Episode 174 (Jan 2021). This week we cover obstructions in reptiles. Why are some reptiles more prone to having things ‘stuck’ in them? What types of foreign bodies...