Video of girl throwing pups into river: don't watch it

A highly disturbing video has been in the news this week, showing a teenage girl throwing live newborn pups into a fast flowing river. It's upsetting to watch and I wouldn't recommend it, but it's a useful time to stress the fact that drowning is always cruel, however it's done. Read my blog on this here. Click here for full post

Another dog attack in the UK: time for government action?

A young girl has been attacked and seriously injured by two Rottweilers while out cycling her bicycle in Dundee. My blog on this has attracted more comments than almost any other that I've written. Read it here. Click here for full post

Keeping rabbits safe from viral infections

Many pet rabbits enjoy time spent out-of-doors, but it's very important that they're kept safe. Vaccinations are the best way to ensure that they don't pick up fatal viral infections. Click here to read my blog on this. Click here for full post

Grape toxicity in dogs, matted fur in cats and rabbit housing....

My weekly Pet Subjects column in the Telegraph: grape toxicity for dogs, cats with matted fur & an amazing new way of housing rabbits. Read it here. Click here for full post

A fatwa against pets? Not a good time to be a vet in Iran

The religious authorities have declared a fatwa against pets and pet keeping in Iran, regarding it as a form of Western decadence. I feel very sorry for my veterinary colleagues out there. Read my blog on this by clicking here. Click here for full post

The cat and the wheelie bin: radio discussion

This week on East Coast FM, Declan and myself discussed the media frenzy over the cat being dropped into a wheelie bin. Click on the play button below to listen.

VETCATBIN.mp3

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Hens with mites - on tv

This week, the Ireland AM crew came out to watch as I treated a couple of hens for Northern Fowl Mite. Click here to watch. Click here for full post

Video of cat being dumped in wheelie bin: what was going on in woman's mind?

Have you seen the video of a cat apparently being beckoned towards a woman, who then picked it up and dropped into a wheelie bin before walking away? It's shocking to watch. Read my blog on it here. Click here for full post

The birth and death of whales

I've written a blog about a couple of whale stories that are going on in Australia and New Zealand just now. Click here to read more. Click here for full post

Stopping bear bile farms in Asia

Bears are farmed in Asia, to harvest their bile for traditional Chinese medicine..... they're often kept in appalling conditions. A number of charities have been working to stop this barbaric practice. Click here to find out more. (Above photo credit - Animal Asia Foundation) Click here for full post

Setting out on a career in veterinary medicine

In this week's audio segment from East Coast FM, Declan Meehan and myself discuss the options open to school students who are considering a career as a veterinary surgeon. Click on the play button below to listen.

VETCAREER.mp3

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Harvest mites on TV3

I brought Pangur with me onto Ireland AM this week: he's a cat who suffers from harvest mites, a seasonal parasite that affects dogs and cats across Ireland during the late summer months. Click here to watch the video. Click here for full post

Video Q & A on TV3

This week's video questions and answers included the following:
1. My dog has an itchy tail. Why does the vet say that he needs an operation to remove the end of the tail?
2. My collie has been losing his hair in big clumps. Why?
3. Our tom cat is attacking our new kitten. Will they learn to like each other?
4. My collie is shaking her head and pawing at her ears. Could this be fleas or is it something else?
5. My Yorkshire Terrier pees indoors when she gets excited. Also, she has bad breath. Would those dental chews help?
To watch my answers to these queries, click here. And here is the rest of it. Click here for full post

A gerbil with a broken "arm"

I've written a blog about a gerbil who suffered a broken humerus.... to read it, click here. Click here for full post

My weekly pet problem column in the Daily Telegraph

Using Angora rabbit fur for knitting, Harvest Mites, feeding prawns to cats & training dogs to pee on command: click here to read my weekly column with the Daily TelegraphAnd here is the rest of it. Click here for full post

Is it cruel to carry out an alpha roll on your dog?

Our understanding of dog consciousness and animal training is improving all the time, and many people now believe that forced domination of your dog, exemplified by the alpha roll, is outdated and even cruel. Click here to read my blog on this. Click here for full post

Caring for your cat - on Ireland AM

This week on Ireland AM, two kittens were featured on their second visit to my clinic. We discussed the various aspects of caring for an older kitten, including vaccinations, parasite control and neutering. Click here to watch. Click here for full post

It's time to stop the cruelty in Chinese circuses

(Photo: Animal Asia Foundation)

The humiliation of wild animals in circuses no longer happens in Europe, but in China, it's commonplace. Read my blog on this here. Click here for full post

Rabbit dental disease

The curious incident of the dirty rabbit.... how dental disease can manifest in strange ways: read this blog by clicking here. Click here for full post

Safety issues on petting farms

Here's a good article in the Irish Times about the potential health risks of petting farms - I was interviewed by the journalist for this one, and it's good to read a balanced view, stressing the benefits as well as the safety issues. Read it here. Click here for full post

How to find pet health resources online

Solving pet health problems via the internet - are they reliable or should you always visit the vet? Read my blog on this here. And here is the rest of it. Click here for full post

My weekly Telegraph Pet Subjects column: from over-humanising pets to finding out about pet health online

Over-humanising pets, travelling with dogs, protruding eyelids in cats & online pet health resources: read my weekly Telegraph column online here And here is the rest of it. Click here for full post

Taking dogs on holidays..... and approaching the end of an animal's life

This week, Paul Williams was the East Coast FM host. We discussed taking dogs on holidays, then digressed by talking about pets growing old and approaching the end of their lives...... click on the play button below to listen.

vetholidaydogandolddog.mp3

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Give cats worm tablets: a video demonstration

On this week's Ireland AM, I gave a brief demonstration of giving a worm tablet to a cat, as well as discussing the whole subject of worm control. Click here to watch. Click here for full post

Pet problems video Q&A

Click on this link to watch my weekly pet problems Q&A. This week, I answered the following questions:
1. Why is my dog losing so much hair?
2. My Bassett Hound is scratching and itching all over, and he had a dry dandruff in his coat. What could it be?
3. Why does my dog pee in his food bowl and around the front of his kennel?
4. My white cat's eye has gone "blank" and his other one is normal. What could be happening?
5. Are any particular dog food or treats better than others? My dog has a very sensitive stomach.
6. My Pomeranian gets fits of coughing that pass quite quickly. What could be going on?
And here is the rest of it.
To watch my answers, click here. Click here for full post

Compulsory microchipping would save dogs' lives

The possibility of compulsory microchipping of all dogs in the UK would be one way of tackling the massive problem of unwanted stray dogs, highlighted in a recent Panorama television programme. Click here to read my blog on this. Click here for full post

Pets enjoying classical music.....

Pets can enjoy certain classical composers more than others.... just like humans. Read my blog on the subject by clicking here. Click here for full post