Worthbroadcasting
Details for the The Vetpodcast Podcast
Animals get sick too!
Description
A podcast by Dr. Bryan Gregor, a veterinarian in Timaru, New Zealand where we discuss cat, dog and general animal health and pet issues.
Visit the The Vetpodcast website
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Episodes
1 - The murky world of worms. Part 2: The cat tapeworm Dipylidium caninum
Again, with the help of Bayer graphics, we look at the life cycle and control of the cat tapeworm Dipylidium caninum.
2 - The murky world of worms. Part 1: The cat round worm, Toxocara cati
With the help of some really good computer graphics from Bayer, we look at the life cycle and control of the cat roundworm Toxocara cati
3 - De-sexing a female dog
De-sexing a female dog is a very common veterinary procedure. With the use of pictures, we run through how this surgery is done.
4 - A wall of pet food. Which one do I choose?
When you walk into your pet food retailer you will probably be met with a wall of different pet foods. It is often hard to know which the right one for your pet is. Let’s at least try and narrow your choice down a bit by looking at the principles of “Life stage diets”.
Also in this episode is a quick overview of weight loss in overweight pets.
5 - Diabetes, thirsty, happy and hungry
Happy and hungry is a term that is often given to diabetic cats and dogs. In the early stages of the disease, the only symptoms that may be seen are an increased thirst, and perhaps an increase in appetite. As this condition has the ability to be well controlled, early diagnosis can greatly increase your pets quality of life.
6 - Your puppy, the pack animal
Dogs are pack animals. When they join your family they are becoming part of your pack. Unless they are socialized properly, they can show some major behavior problems. Your local vets' "Puppy Preschool" class will help make your puppy a "well rounded individual".
7 - If it tastes that good it is probably bad for you!
Its a shame when things that taste so good are often bad for you. This can be doubly true for your dog. Did you know that raisins, chocolate, coffee and onions are all poisonous to your dog?
8 - Toxoplasmosis. Could a cat parasite be controlling your mind?
Toxoplasmosis is a very common cat parasite. Part of its' life cycle affects other species. Can it really make rats attracted to cats, make human males less intelligent, and human females more affectionate. Intrigued? I was!
9 - How to stop dogs chewing……
Dogs learn to explore by using their mouths and is perfectly normal behaviour. However dogs often chew inappropriate things and need to be taught what is acceptable and what is not.
10 - Putting your pets bits in a bucket. Why you should get it spayed or neutered.
Responsible pet ownership these days really dictates that your pet should not be able to breed. As a profession we strongly advise that you desex your pets. Here is why.
11 - Help make your veterinarians life a little easier
Pets cannot tell us what is wrong with them so it is up to you to speak for them. When you visit the vet with your pet, by following some of the advice given here, it will make the visit a lot easier for everybody.
12 - CSI Canine Scene Investigation. When forensic science meets the Pet Detective!
Television programmes such as CSI have shown us the power of forensic science. This same science is being used for criminal investigations involving animals. We again talk to George Sofronidis from Genetic Technologies in Australia.
For more information, have a look at http://www.animalnetwork.com.au/forensics/
13 - What breeds are in your cross bred dog, and why does it matter?
Ever wondered what breeds are in your cross bred dog? This information may be more important than you may think. Different breeds have different characteristics. A Labrador Weimaraner cross will show different behaviour than for example a Labrador German Shepherd, although they may look similar. Certain breeds may be genetically more likely to suffer from a specific condition. If we know the breeds in your dog, we may be able to control these conditions. Is your pure bred dog actually pure bred. George Sofronidis from Genetic Technologies in Australia may have some answers.
The BITSA website is http://www.animalnetwork.com.au/bitsa/
14 - Zoo Vets, "The Nest" and Wellington Zoo
Most people think of vets as the animal health professionals that look after cats and dogs and cows and horses. The normal domestic animals. There is another breed of veterinarians that look after wildlife and zoo animals. This work normally goes on behind the scenes.
Wellington Zoo has just opened an interesting new facility that they call “The Nest”. “The Nest” is an animal hospital and centre for native wildlife care. The innovative thing about this facility is that the public can, and are actually encouraged to watch what goes on in an area that is usually “behind the scenes”. On a daily basis the expert team will talk visitors through operations as they happen, providing a unique insight into their profession and dedication.
Dr Francois Lampen is the manager of veterinary science at the Wellington Zoo.
The Nest website is www.wellingtonzoo.com/thenest
15 - FLUTD Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
A cat straining to urinate may be the indicator of a serious health issue. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease is a nasty condition that may require urgent treatment.
16 - Corneal Ulcers
Corneal ulcers are seen quite commonly in most veterinary practices. As common as they are, there is always the potential for them causing permanent eye damage, but with the correct treatment, usually there is a good outcome.
17 - Digging Dogs. Making a hole in the ground is what dogs do.
Dogs dont dig holes in the ground to annoy you, it is simply in their nature. As frustrating as it is, there are ways this behaviour can be addressed.
18 - Fish Vets, Fish get sick too!
With more people living in apartments meaning less space for conventional pets, keeping an aquarium is a lot more common these days. Added to this, fish farming is also big business. There are now veterinarians who have taken their training to a new level. In this podcast I talk to Dr Fiona MacDonald, who is the secretary of the United Kingdom Fish Veterinary Society
The link for the UK Fish Vet Society is www.fishvetsociety.org.uk
The Link for Fionas' Fish Treatment Ltd website is www.fish-treatment.co.uk
19 - Anal glands: a fishy smelly vestige of a wild animal?
That faintly fishy metallic smell from the back end of your dog is probably its Anal Glands. What are they there for and what can go wrong with them??
20 - Putting the plug back in the gene pool. Why rare breeds may be invaluable for the future of farming
Farm animals as we know them today have been selected for desirable traits or characteristics such as fast growth rate, heavy muscling, good fibre production, good milk production or perhaps temperament. Along the way, some breeds may have been discarded from main stream farming for a variety of reasons, and their numbers have dwindled, perhaps even to the point of extinction. Some domesticated breeds may have returned to the wild, and in doing so returned to a free living state.
In New Zealand the guardians of these animals are The Rare Breeds Conservation Society, whose role is to conserve, record and promote these breeds with the particular aim of maintaining genetic diversity within our livestock species.
In this interview, I talk with Mike Willis, a spokesman for this society, and himself, a custodian of a number of rare breeds.
Have a look at the New Zealand Rare Breeds website at http://www.rarebreeds.co.nz/
