Monkeys being used as guards in India? Radio discussion...

This week's audio section includes a discussion of the story from India, where large monkeys are being employed as guards to prevent smaller monkeys from causing mischief around the Commonwealth Games. Also, we discussed World Animal Week, which runs from 3rd to 10th October. Click on the play button below to listen.

VETMONKEY.mp3

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A St Bernard with a new hip joint

On TV3 this week, Bentley the St Bernard visited my clinic for a check up after his Total Hip Replacement two weeks previously. Click here to watch it. Click here for full post

World Rabies Day

Rabies is, perhaps, the worst disease of all that can be passed from animals to humans. Today represents a global focus on efforts to eradicate the illness. Click here to read my blog on this. Click here for full post

Treatment or euthanasia: how to decide

This weekend it's the annual conference of the British Veterinary Association in Glasgow. One of the subjects under discussion was the issue of "how far is it right to go?" when it comes to "heroic" treatments given to seriously ill pets. Click here to read my blog on this. Click here for full post

Dark evenings & visibility of animals on the road

This week's audio section involves a discussion about the importance of people - and animals - being kept safe by having good visibility on the road. Click on the play button below to listen.

VETVISIBILITY .mp3

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Problems with microchips

You'd think that if your dog was microchipped and it later turned up, you'd be sure to have it returned to you. Think again! Read my blog on this here. Click here for full post

The latest "fad" pet: African Pygmy Hedgehogs

What do you think of these little creatures. Yes, they're adorable, but should they be promoted as pets? Read my blog on this here. Click here for full post

Halal meat: we should know when we're eating it

Whenever no-stun ritual slaughter is discussed, the debate always shifts towards an emotive discussion about religion. My aim was to keep this entirely focussed on animal welfare, but you'll see from the comments that this seems to be impossible to achieve. Read the blog here. Click here for full post

The joy of keeping hens

Hen-keeping is more popular than ever - read my blog on the subject by clicking here. Click here for full post

My Telegraphy column - dogs, hedgehogs, hens

My weekly Telegraph Pet Subjects column: a territorial pug, a dog obsessed with hedgehogs and keeping hens. Click here to read it. Click here for full post

Pet food on the radio

This week, Declan Meehan on East Coast FM, asked me for my opinion on pet food. You can listen by clicking on the play button below.

vetfood.mp3

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Cleaning pets' teeth on TV3

On TV3 this week, I gave a demonstration of home dental care, with Mischa, a lovely Bichon Frise. Click here to watch it. Click here for full post

Badger culling is about to start again in the UK

The control of Bovine TB is a complex subject and a newly made decision to start to cull badgers in TB-infected areas has sparked controversy. Read my blog on this here. Click here for full post

We love animals, yet we eat them. Are we being hypocritical?

An interesting book has just been published that questions the logic behind our approach to animals. Read my blog on this subject by clicking here. Click here for full post

Why I brush my dog's teeth

Pet dental care is easy to ignore, but simple daily actions can make a big difference to a pet's health. Click here to read my blog on this. Click here for full post

My weekly Telegraph column

Why do cats stare at humans, a tortoise that won't eat, a mail-chewing terrier & free dental check-ups for pets. Click here to read my weekly Telegraph column. Click here for full post

Radio discussion: Irish horses in trouble as winter approaches

This week on East Coast FM, I discussed the problem of surplus horses in post-boom Ireland. Listen by clicking on the play button below.

VETHORSE.mp3

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More video questions and answers on pets

More video Q&A; a Collie chasing bikes and runners, training a deaf dog, training a 5 year old GSD, a JRT that's piddling in the house and getting older dogs used to a new young puppy. Click here to watch. Click here for full post

Q & A live on Ireland AM

Live Q&A on TV3: Bichon Frise growling at owner, a fussy King Charles Cavalier, a Red Setter who refuses to come when called, another Setter wreaking destruction by chewing inappropriate objects, and a demonstration of the Masterplus remote control collar. Click here to watch the video. Click here for full post

Dog training on Ireland AM

This week on Ireland AM, I took in my own dog Kiko, and we discussed the importance of training dogs correctly. Click here to watch the video. Click here for full post

Irish horses: victims of the economic downturn

Ireland is currently suffering from serious over-population of horses. Read my blog on this here. Click here for full post

Animal rescue groups in the UK

Abandoned animals in the UK have more hope than in most countries of a happy ending, thanks to the plethora of animal rescue groups. Click here to read my blog on the work done by these voluntary bodies. Click here for full post

My Pet Subjects column in the Telegraph

Nail varnish for dogs, retrieving cats, dogs that hate going to the vet and spaying rabbits. Read my latest question and answer column online here. Click here for full post

It's pet dental care month in Ireland

September has been dubbed "Pet Dentacare month" - and I discussed this with Declan Meehan on East Coast FM this week. Click on the play button below to listen.

VETteeth.mp3

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September is Pet Dental Awareness month: TV clip

This month has been designated "Denta-month" in Ireland - with the aim of highlighting the importance of dental care in pets. I also answered a few questions from viewers:
1) What's the best breed of dog to choose as a first pet for young children?
2) Why does my elderly Golden Retriever make gagging noises sometimes?
3) My German Shepherd's ear keeps getting dirty and itchy. What can I do about it?
Click here to watch the video. Click here for full post