Podcast: Pete’s new book “Pet Subjects” on Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show plus the usual queries from listeners

To listen to the podcast, click at the link at the foot of this page

My new book: “Pet Subjects”

This week, we started by discussing my new book, which is now available in book shops around the country.

Titled “Pet Subjects”, the book describes some of the more interesting and intriguing cases that I have seen in my time as a vet in practice.

The chapter titles give a clue about the sort of tales involved:

  1. The case of killer worms . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  2. The food-loving dog who stopped eating ……
  3. The interrupted cat nap . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  4. The three-year itch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  5. The giant dog who refused to budge . . . . .
  6. The cat with a gravelly cough . . . . . . . . . .
  7. Prescription sunglasses for a dog . . . . . .
  8. The confident cat with a fear of food . . . .
  9. The truth about practice cats . . . . . .
  10. The travelling parasite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  11. The terrier with a tumour that refused to go away
  12. The parrot who refused to talk . . . . .
  13. The puppy who kept crying . . . . . . . .
  14. The cat who drank too much . . . . . . . . . . .
  15. The dog who kept the wheels turning . . . . .
  16. The big cat who wasn’t a fat cat . . . . . . . . .
  17. The swan who flew with a broken wing . . . . .
  18. The dog who knew sign language . . . . . .
  19. The guide dog for a blind dog . . . . . . . . . .
  20. The playful cat who stopped playing . . . . .
  21. The giant turtle with a tiny appetite . . . . . . .
  22. The budgies with itchy beaks . . . . . . . . . . .

Each chapter is followed by a selection of interesting queries that I’ve answered over the past decade via my weekly vet column in the Daily Telegraph.

The book aims to appeal to anyone with an interest in pets, and in particular, with an interest in how vets work out what’s going on with sick animals.

If you want to have a look for yourself, check it out in your local bookshop.

 

Questions from listeners about pets

  • Can cats pass diseases on to humans?
  • Why do newborn puppies die. Didn’t plan breeding 9 year old bitch, but a male got in. She had 7 pups Monday night. 3 dead. 3 were ok but died Tuesday evening. There’s one pup left and seems to be feeding ok but I’m so worried now. Clare Galway.
    Jack says “How often should you brush a cat? We have our cat about 18 months and we do brush her, but not sure if we should be doing it weekly or less frequently? She loves getting brushed!”
  • My two boys want to get a turtle,(yes they are obsessed with Teenage Ninja Teenage Turtles) I know nothing about keeping one, any advice would be appreciated. Barbara
  • We have a 9 week old cavachon pup. She used to cry all night in her crate when it was downstairs. Eventually We brought her crate into our room after a few nights of crying and she was better, waking once when we’d lull her back to sleep. I’m worried we’ll never get her to sleep on her own now! Any advice?
  • Is there any alternative to surgery in my 6 yr old boxer case. She had stifry on her left back ACL 18 months. She is now limping and lifting her right leg in same way as left side when she gets up from her bed. She is or anti inflammatory med. I am wondering is there any alternative to surgery this time? Thanks so much. Cathy.

To listen to the discussion of Pete’s book and the answers to the questions above, listen to the podcast below.

Listen to the podcast:

Start Podcast

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Please note that I am unable to answer veterinary questions in comments. If you have questions or concerns about your pet's health it is always better to contact your vet.

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