Is a Poodle healthier than say a Chihuahua?. What about a Cavilier King Charles Spaniel compared to a Beagle or a Boxer? Dogs are not 'dogs' when it comes to health issues. Sometimes it's just genetics -eg; "in the breed" - at other times it could be poor breeding generally or even cross-breeding. So which breeds are generally more expensive to ins…

Well even though it says it in the title - 'fun' is not necessarily what what you would call dealing with this problem in dogs mainly. But as always Dr Jo Sillince from Pets Australia describes the condition, causes and solution in her own humorous way for the benefit of us all :-)Av VET Talk Radio

We've all known it ever since we've started having pets of our own, but a study out of Queensland Uni now proves the health benefits of pet ownership - for adults as well as kids! Study proves pets are good for our health!Former DOGSLife Magazine editor Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia tells us that recently in Queensland, research has r…

What makes a good 'Cat Vet'?... Dr Kim Kendall say's cat lovers AND vets need to think more about what really makes a 'Feline Friendly' practice and offer some practical advice in this podcast.Av VET Talk Radio

As the Easter bunny gears up for another busy night of delivering eggs to all the children around the globe, Pet Insurance Australia is reminding all pet lovers that Easter can spell disaster to an unsuspecting dog or cat. “This is a great time of year to celebrate with friends and family,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says. “However…

So many 'old wives tales' get muddled up with 21st century science. Maybe you've been told this? "Are you pregnant? Then you MUST get rid of the cat as soon as possible!" It still seems to be a common thought among pregnant women around the world - one which sadly means cats being 'dumped' for no reason whatsoever. So who better to find out more ab…

Feeling the chilly weather yet? Well if we're feeling the cold so are our pets! - And most domestic dogs and cats want to do just like us and curl up in front of the fire - whether it's an open one, gas or electric. But there are dangers all pet owners need to be aware of as Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia explains!…

These days our pets have just about as big a choice of food as we do! But what about medicines? The way we look after our pets is changing every year. Conventional veterinary science continues to allow us to treat all kinds of ailments in our pets from skin conditions, dodgy tummies, anxiety and more. But did you know many of the things prescribed …

There are big changes coming to Fraser Coast’s hugely popular caravan parks – thanks to ‘people power’. In late 2020 the Hervey Bay Council asked locals to take part in an online survey to provide feedback on which of a number of proposed changes should get the green light and there was an unexpectedly large response giving councillors a very clear…

Being a veterinarian or vet nurse can be pretty challenging at times. With so many different animals to deal with every day - all of which they might never have seen before - can be 'challenging' to say the least. Bites, scratches and often upset pet owners means a less than perfect 'consult'. But a new program aimed at improving the animal handlin…

Ok let's get technical here... Do you know what 'Eye Boogas' are? It seems that all of us at some time have had crusty eyes that we often call 'boogas' and think very little of it... For animals and humans as it happens - dry eye can also be a serious health issue that really needs to be "looked" at (sorry about the pun!) as soon as possible. Dogs,…

Have you ever noticed how animals are VERY good at hiding pain or showing they are unwell. This is a highly evolved 'protective mechanism' of course - no single animal wants to be the sick one in the pack/herd/flock etc... But how can we as pet lovers tell? Are they hot, cold, off their food? Are their gums red, yellow, white or pink? How are they …

While the weather this year has been, cold, wet then hot again... whether you're travelling or not, heat is a big factor in the health of our pets - in this case dogs! And we were reminded off that recently sitting in the shade under a tree having coffee with friends the other day when Kaye realised she had copped a nasty sunburn! Lesson learned – …

We thought it would be good to find out if people actually said 'thankyou' to their vets and how it felt. So we asked the highly respected Veterinary Surgical Specialist Dr Sarah Goldsmid from the Animal Referral Hospital in Homebush Sydney what it's like to get a nice thankyou from a client.Av VET Talk Radio

We all know dogs love to play... Sometimes though that play can turn nasty. And too often what looks like an innocent 'dog say hello to dog' at the local park can leave not only the dog but the owner requiring urgent medical attention! Long time friend and well-known Dog Trainer Steve Austin knows only too well what can happen when there's a dog fi…

Sadly vets have seen a huge increase in the number of dogs that have been attacked by other dogs while out walking with their owners. In fact this has been happening to vets across the country and as you might imagine is both distressing for owners as it is for their Emergency & Critical Care teams & Surgeons. Knowing that these attacks have occurr…

It’s hard to believe but Medical teams have been progressively improving anaesthetic products since they were first invented more than 170 years ago. The result being that today’s surgeries being shorter and safer than ever before for both people AND pets. However, there’s been a long-held myth by some pet owners that their aged pets shouldn’t unde…

Right across NSW and other parts of the country, families are being forced by the major drought to make decisions about affected livestock and their own future working on the land. But little has been mentioned about one of the most misunderstood members of the family... The Working Dog - also severely affected due to the lack of food available. Bu…

Holistic Veterinarians who look at a pet’s tongue can tell a great deal more about their patient’s state of health/disease than say a GP asking a human patient to say ‘ahh’. A rapidly rising number of vets are choosing to learn Eastern techniques to use alongside their existing western scientific training to provide combined treatments for their pa…

If you've ever had a really, really bad stomach ache - spare a thought for large breed dogs... because they, unfortunately quite commonly suffer from an even more painful and in fact potentially deadly condition known as Bloat. Veterinary specialists still don't know why it occurs in some dogs, and not others, but it appears to be on the rise given…

For many reasons some people only have one dog or one cat... And we hear a lot of animal behaviourists say that dogs in particular crave company - the old 'pack mentality' But is this true?... we thought we'd ask Dr Jo Sillince from Pets Australia what she thought about 'solo dogs'!Av VET Talk Radio

With the recent 'RU-OK' Day here in AU we thought you might also like to hear what well known vet Dr Anne Fawcett has to say about life as a vet!... Meantime - how busy is your day?... Did you actually find time to go to the bathroom, have a cup of tea or take 5 minutes out of your busy day to have a morning or afternoon snack - even lunch!? Most p…

If you ever thought the topic of dentistry was boring, wait until you hear ARH Veterinary Dentist Dr Christine Hawke speak! - For instance 'Fangs' is not a word that usually comes to mind when talking about dogs and cats, but Dr Christine throws it around like an old sock in this very informative chat about Dental Braces.... Oh and she also shares …

It's always good to hear who has received the latest award for work done in the small animal veterinary sector but even better news when it just happens to be an Aussie Vet! Well known for his work in the field of veterinary medicine and environmental health, Dr. Guyan Weerasinghe, has been announced by (WSAVA) ... the World Small Animal Veterinary…

Dogs, cats even birds have dental health problems - And poor dental health can lead to shorter lives and many life-threatening diseases. Did you know you can brush a dog or cat's teeth? - It's true... just ask your vet to show you how. Dr Barbara Fougere from All Natural Vet in Sydney tells us some of the signs to watch for with your pet's teeth.…

Do you love dogs? Why not become a puppy carer or sponsor a puppy? Seeing Eye Dogs Australia are always looking for loving homes for puppies in your area. If you can't do that how about a small donation? In this short podcasts Seeing Eye Dogs Vision Australia's Dog Care Manager Dr Nicola Cotton explains how their great charity and various programs …

Who looks after the pets in your family? Research shows it’s almost always the Mum in the household – despite all those promises the kids made while begging for a puppy that of course they’d feed the dog and walk it and pick up after it. Now there’s a new push to help make it easier for the kids to make good on those promises and really be a part o…

According to the Story Dogs website... "When children read to a dog, the outcomes are amazing! It is a non-judgemental setting, the children's focus improves, their literacy skills increase and their confidence soars. The accepting, loving nature of dogs gives this program its magic and helps children relax, open up, try harder and have fun while r…

*** DOUBLE BUBBLE = DOUBLE TROUBLE *** Bloat! - Is there a 'cure'? Can it be stopped?... and what are the signs? GDV or 'gastric dilation and volvulus' aka bloat is a life threatening condition in dogs where the stomach 'bloats' and twists on itself, cutting off major blood vessels and preventing gas from escaping the stomach. Our recent story on t…

OOOWWWCCCHH!... Poor little Gigi... this gorgeous little 11yr old French Bulldog just put her owners through absolute hell and nobody seems to know how it happened. Basically, Gigi's dad came home and found her blood soaked, standing like a statue totally frozen with what turned out to be an entire hanging basket hook lodged under her tongue. The p…

International Author, Speaker, Veterinary Business Coach and mentor Dr Diederik Gelderman (AVBA President 2015/2016), shares the simple, but little known and rarely applied secrets to Veterinary Success and an amazing rewarding life. His probing interviews of these highly successful practitioners reveals the simple and yet profound keys, mindsets, …

5 Freedoms… Freedoms From Whose Point Of View? Veterinary Professionals are by default often considered society’s arbiters of what really constitutes ‘best care’ for pets and livestock. For years, variants of the RSPCA’s ‘Five Freedoms’ have provided the benchmark for humane animal care… but is a human’s perspective of best care… the RIGHT care? Pe…

Ahh Haaa!... New genetic clue might explain why this breed is more food obsessed than any other... And the reason might actually help humans too! Vets tell us loveable Labradors are always on the 'over-represented' list when it comes to gastrointestinal foreign bodies. And while some dogs - just like we humans - will skip a meal simply because we d…

Question: Do vets ever diagnose their own pet's ailments? You'd think with all their training - especially specialists & surgeons - that they'd know 'everything' - but it seems that's not always the case... And for good reason when you think about it - Of course they know all the basics all GP vets are required to know as part of being a registered…

Most of us have heard of the two-head turtle Thelma and Louise right... but a two-headed cat??? Dr Jo Sillince from Pets Australia reveals that little gem and more in this week's show.Av VET Talk Radio

Giving blood is something we humans are asked to do every year - in fact about 17,000 of us do it every week of the year! But what about our animals? Many need blood transfusions or other blood by-products. So where does this blood come from? Vet Nurse Rebecca (Bec) Charteris recognised the problem and has spent the past few years setting up the Au…

Paralysis ticks… In Australaia they're more deadly than sharks or crocodiles but with the help of Surgery Nurse Kasey Findlay and Emergency Nurse James Perez-Christie from Sydney's Animal Referral Hospital, we’ll show you how searching for them can also be fun! Listen to this podcast of watch the video! http://bit.ly/ParalysisTicks…

It's well known by vets that for some reason cats seem to be the 'forgotten' pet. Dogs and even horses are being seen by vets more than the average cat. Is it because dogs are like kids and considered 'part of the family' and tend to say they need help (like kids!) whereas cats are lovely creatures but will often hide from view if anything is wrong…

Put a young kid and a cat together and it makes a pretty cute photo right? Maybe… unless you’re the cat! Young kids, especially toddlers and especially boys can a cat’s worst nightmare. This story is very close to home... Not too long ago our daughter needed help to solve a problem with her much loved 9 yr old cat Smokey and her then almost 3 yr ol…

***BULLIES *** ! They're all around us. Online, at work, at home sometimes - even school. But what should you do? Linda Campbell is a neurolinguistic programming practitioner and clinical hypnotherapist and has a few options in this short podcast.Av VET Talk Radio

There's plenty of 'keep fit' electronic devices nowadays to 'motivate you' to get up and moving… But if you’re one of those people who aren’t right in to all that ‘technology’. What’s the best way to keep our pets – and us - moving over winter? Former DOGSLife magazine editor Nadia Crighton has a plan - that works for her - and just might make all …

Hendra Virus Can Affect Domestic Animals & People Too! Recently the AVA (Australian Veterinary Assoc) put out a media release regarding a new outbreak of the Hendra virus in QLD. Normally this is something horse owners are more concerned about but it can also be deadly to dogs cats and people. We spoke with Dr Maurine Thomson, Registered Specialist…

Older dogs are often the last to be adopted and end up being 'just another statistic' in our already overcrowded pounds and shelters. But one lucky 11yr old boxer caught the eye of long time ARH team member Sue Thompson who chose to take the 'old girl' on. But Sue also has a 'gripe' about her experience she wants us all to think about. Also in this…

Being a veterinary surgeon sounds like a lot of fun... but is it? We asked Co-owner of the Animal Referral Hospital Canberra Dr Jacob Michelsen for the best case/worst case scenario...Av VET Talk Radio

Pet insurance is one of those things we rarely think about until we actually need it... Is it ok to simply 'save for a rainy day'? or does the cost of actual veterinary care - especially emergency care - make pet insurance worthwhile. In this podcast from Pet Insurance Australia, Nadia Crighton gives some great examples of how pet insurance has hel…

'Poodlelicious' is one word to describe this awesome breed :-)... Ok, we're a little biased because we have had several over the years - and continue to be hooked on Poodles with our latest rescue 'Chica' - who you will also see in this short Podcast with Pictures as we chat with Dr Jo Sillince from Pets Australia about the Poodle Club of NSW's 'Po…

Timmy - a 13 year old Spaniel is the unlikely symbol of hope for Dementia sufferers around the world after receiving a unique form of stem cell therapy which appears to have restored his memory…and in so doing… saved his life! In this podcast you'll hear Timmy's 'dad' Tony Leeder-Smith explain how Timmy behaved at home before treatment. Assoc. Prof…

You have a dream, you work hard studying then start work... So what's it really like after all that... being a veterinary nurse in Australia's largest 24hour Emergency Animal Hospital? ARH Vet Nurse Jess Thorpe explains in part 2 of 'Inside ARH'Av VET Talk Radio

Ever wondered what motivates people to do the work they do? This is the first in a series of short podcasts called 'Inside ARH' featuring Vet Nurse Jess Thorpe. The VIDEO VERSION can be seen here: http://www.vettalktv.com/vet-speak/1175-inside-arh-how-i-got-started-vet-nurse-jess-thorpe-part-1Av VET Talk Radio

Pet Insurance Australia has revealed an almost 600% increase in claims for Osteoarthritis related conditions over the past 5 years and nearly 700% increase in Cruciate Ligament claims due mainly to overweight and obese pets. Pet Insurance Australia spokesperson Nadia Crighton explains along with special guest appearance from ARH Surgical Specialist…