I am a veterinary surgeon with a passion for communicating my love of my work through writing, radio, television and the internet. My mission is to use the media to act as an advocate on behalf of animals. I am a partner in a busy 4 vet practice in Bray, Co Wicklow, Ireland, but I spend 50% of my working week on media work. I've been broadcasting a weekly "vet spot" on my local radio station, East Coast FM, for the past fifteen years, and I'm delighted, through Soundcloud, to now make this weekly animal-related discussion available globally as a podcast.
Protect your dog from toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) this summer. Pete the Vet explains symptoms, immediate action steps, and how to spot toxic water.
Thinking of getting a dog? Pete the Vet explains why summer is the best season for puppy training, the benefits of rescue adoption, and how to spot puppy farm red flags.
Planning a summer trip? Pete the Vet shares essential tips on boarding kennels, pet sitters, travel passports, and helping your dog recover from post-holiday stress.
Is it time to restrict domestic cats to protect Irish wildlife? Pete the Vet weighs in on the polarized debate, shares tips to curb hunting behavior, and offers seasonal advice for garden hedgehogs.
Pete the Vet marks 35 years of practicing in Bray by sharing how emergency veterinary care has evolved since 1991. Discover how the industry shifted from grueling on-call rotas to 24-hour dedicated emergency clinics across the Dublin area. Pete also dives into fascinating new MRI research on whether dogs truly sense human emotions and feel jealousy, provides essential advice for owners dealing with late-night cat "toe attacks," and shares a bizarre cautionary tale about an exotic beach-dwelling parasite.
With warm weather finally hitting the country, senior veterinarian Pete Wedderburn ddogsiscusses essential summer pet safety. Learn how dogs actually cool themselves down, why walking your dog on a sunny afternoon can trigger life-threatening heatstroke, and what to do in an emergency. Plus, Pete answers listener questions about veterinary costs, out-of-hours care, and how to access affordable treatment through charity clinics and pet health plans.
In this podcast, discover essential advice on navigating pet pregnancies, from critical antenatal vet care and nutrition tips to the importance of early socialization for a healthy litter.
Expert vet Pete Wedderburn discusses safety tips, explaining why common treats like chocolate and common flowers like beautiful lilies can be life-threatening to our dogs and cats.
In response to the Competition and Markets Authority report on the UK veterinary profession, I did an interview for BBC Radio Scotland: they sent me this audio file of my responses to their questions so it sounds one-sided (only my voice) but the recording does highlight the points I wanted to make.
It may seem like our cats and dogs do little else but snooze, but there is quite a lot going on behind those twitching whiskers and paddling paws. Understanding their sleep patterns is essential for any dedicated pet owner. This week's podcast helps to explain what's going on.
What’s the best way to handle pet care during the holidays? Between professional sitters and specialized boarding, the options are more varied than ever. Here is how to choose the one that fits your pet’s personality—and your budget.
New data shows that over 25% of UK dogs are bred with physical traits—like flat faces or shortened legs—that limit their ability to simply breathe and move freely. It’s time we prioritize function over fashion. Listen to this podcast to find out more
Gardens are meant to be places for playing and relaxing. Make sure that your garden is safe for your pets. This short podcast highlights the main hazards for dogs and cats.
Technology is helping us monitor pet health, spotting illnesses before they are serious. Listen here to find out how.
This week, we discuss dental disease in dogs and cats. Tooth brushing or dental chews? What's the best way to care for your pet's teeth?
I joined Emmet Oliver on Newstalk's Weekend Show to answer a range of listeners' questions, including indoor-only cats, choosing a new dog, the perennial flea problem and more.
People love posting photos of their pets online, but sometimes, there are risks in posing with your face close to your pet. Listen here for more.
Animals can be very stressed in stormy weather. This short discussion outliines the main issues, and what can be done to make it easier for our pets
In this week's podcast, we discuss cloning dogs, DNA testing dog poops, rescuing dogs across Ireland, and finally, a listener's query about her two dogs having arguments.
There are over a hundred swans living in the harbour of my home town, in Bray, County Wicklow. Local volunteers have establised a team that monitors this "Swan Sanctuary". This short podcast provides an update on issues affecting these much-loved birds.
The issue of illegal farming and export of puppies from Ireland to the UK and Europe is an ongoing issue which is discussed in this short podcast
This week's short podcast talks about what to do if your pets gets into trouble this Christmas, and how to avoid the most common problems.
When is it OK to dress pets in clothes? When it's for their health, safety and comfort. Listen to the podcast to find out more.
Halloween is a difficult time for many pets, with fear of fireworks causing much distress. This short podcasts highlights what you can do to keep your pets safe and happy.
This week, we discuss how to choose the perfect pet dog for your particular situation. I am a fan of rescue dogs: no need to feed the pedigree breeding market. Pedigree dogs do come up for rescue sometimes, so it is important to understand the pros and cons of different types of animals.
If you're getting a new dog, please avoid buying from puppy farmers. Thousands of dogs need to be adopted every year, and this should be everyone's first choice.
In this short podcast, recorded on a hot day in mid August, we discuss heat stroke in dogs in hot weather, the link between ear disease and swimming and how to help a dog terrified of going up stairs, a cat that's started howling at night.
In this week's podcast: we discuss conjunctivitis in dogs, a cat attacking visitors, a high energy dog in an apartment & how much to feed a giant breed dog (St Bernard)
This week, we talk about dogs stressed after boarding kennels, dogs licking their paws all the time and dogs suffering from senile dementia
This week, we discuss a range of pet queries, from excessive panting to high blood pressure to the risks of eating slugs and snails to parasite control in cats that eat small prey.
This week, a number of common pet questions were discussed, submitted by listeners to Declan Meehan's Morning Show on East Coast FM
This week, we discuss a range of common pet questions submitted by listeners to East Coast FM's Morning Show with Declan Meehan
Ticks are common in summertime in Ireland. This podcast explains how to identify ticks, how to remove them safely, and best of all, how to prevent them completely.
In this week's short podcast, we discuss a dog with a rare type of haemophilia, plus we discuss other topics briefly, including the summer itch in pets, plus queries from listeners.
The summertime is the best time to take on a new puppy. To find out the reason for this, and to check on what's involved in bringing a new animal into your life, listen here.
Lungworm is an increasingly common parasite in dogs, and it can have a lethal impact. To find out more, and to check what you need to do to protect your pet, listen here.
This week, we discussed the fact that we are heading into peak flea and tick season. What should pet owners do to protect their pets, while also making sure that they do not harm the environment (insects and birds) in any way?
After my visit to the BSAVA vet congress, I heard about a proposed medication to make pets live longer. To hear my take on this, listen in!
As summer approaches, many people plan to take their pets with them on trips to the UK and Europe. This short podcast explains what you need to do to prepare for this.
In this week's podcast, I discuss the use of alternative or complementary treatments for animals. What's the evidence behind them, and how should they fit in with conventional veterinary care for pets?
Most animal rescue groups are occasionally faced with the challenge of an animal needing medical or surgical treatment with a high price tag. Today we discuss one such case, under the care of the ISPCA.
It's common for dogs to be seen wandering the streets, with no owner in sight. What should you do if you see such an animal?
Today is 1st February 2025, the day when the ban on XL Bullies comes into force in Ireland. I have recorded a short podcast on this topic, along with East Coast FM, and while this was done 10 days ago, it's still relevant.
Pets need dental care, just like humans, but this is often misunderstood. This short podcast explains why it's so important, and what should be done at home to ensure that pets have optimal dental health.
This week, we talk about what you can do to keep your pretty safe and comfortable in cold weather
This week's podcast opens with some chat about Christmas preparation for pets, and then we talk about how Temple Grandin is helping to promote a scheme to make visiting vets more enjoyable for dogs and cats
My uncle John was passionate about animal rights. He was a vegan from the age of fifty, and he dedicated the rest of his life to improving the lives of animals in captivity.
A new global veterinary initiative aims to focus more on understanding animal behaviour as a way of learning more about their needs.
With the election in Ireland coming up later this week, this is a good time to discuss animal welfare. Do you know what your preferred candidate plans to do about animal issues? To find out more, listen in here
It's common for pets to carry too much weight without their owners realising. This podcast explains how to identify this, and how to stop the weight gain before obesity develops.
Local anaesthetics are widely used in veterinary surgery to allow painful procedures to happen while an animal is conscious. This is a brief summary of how this can be useful in day to day veterinary work.
This week, we talk about the way that pets adapt to the changes in time when the clocks adapt to daylight saving time.
This week's short podcast discusses life in a busy vet clinic. The ups and downs can be far more intense and demanding than most people realise. This segment was recorded in early October, during World Animal Week, and we go on to talk about the valuable work carried out by the ISPCA, preventing cruelty and protecting animals.
This time of year is difficult for many pets, due to their high sensitivity to unexpected loud noises. Listen to this short podcast to learn how to help pets cope with fear of fireworks.
The differences between dog brains and human brains are well established, and they explain many of the differences between dog behaviour and human behaviour. Listen here to find out more
Grass seeds are small sharp objects that can be hazardous to pets. Listen here to find out more...
The ban on XL Bully dogs comes into effect on 1st October 2024. This short radio interview goes over, again, the reasons why Pete feels that a far more complex and detailed approach is needed to the issue of dog attacks on humans.
Cats are very different from dogs, and this short podcast discusses some of those differences.
Penguins have been making international news. This short podcast describes how I used to work with the penguins at Edinburgh Zoo, when I was a student, and then we go on to discuss the two recent news stories.
Poisoning is a common issue for pets: this short podcast discusses three typical cases that I have seen at my vet clinic in the past couple of months.
Cats have a strong drive to hunt birds, but many owners would prefer that they don't do this. This short podcast discusses how hunting behaviour can be reduced.
Here's another short discussion about the dos and don'ts of taking pets on holiday with you, including travelling overseas
The first Spayaware event was held in 2002, when over twenty thousand unwanted dogs were euthanased in Ireland's dog pounds. Twenty years later, in 2022, there were less than five hundred euthanased. Still too many, but huge progress. Listen to the podcast to learn more.
Scooting and sledging are common behaviours in dogs. Listen here to find out why they do it and what to do to help them
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has just issued new guidelines on spaying and neutering. As the ISPCA Spayaware campaign is launched for 2024, the message on the importance of neutering for pets is adapting to new information: the bottom line is TALK TO YOUR VET about what's best for your pet.
Every day in most towns in Ireland, dogs are reported wandering the streets on their own. This short podcast looks into the "lost dog" phenomenon, and discusses how this should be tackled.
After the shocking death of a young woman in Limerick last week, and another incident involving a dog attack in Cork, there has been much discussion about what should be done. Listen to this short podcast to find out more.
In the summer months, many dogs suffer from gastrointestinal upsets (vomiting and diarrhoea), both mild and serious. Why is this so common, and what should owners do when their dogs are affected?
Greyhounds are no different to other dogs, and they deserve to be treated as such. Two examples are first, when considering keeping one as a pet, and second, under Irish law, when some procedures are banned in pet dogs, but apparently permissible in greyhounds. Listen to the podcast to find out more.
Recent research is finding out more about the lifespans of different types of cats. To find out more, listen in.
This week's short podcast discusses skin tumours in older dogs: these are common, and they are usually harmless. Listen in to find out more!
This short podcast discusses how ticks become more common in the early summer, and what can be done to control them effectively in pets.
The BSAVA congress is one of the biggest pet vet gatherings in the world: here's a short review of some of the discussions and learnings
Inhaled medication - as used by humans with asthma - are sometimes used to treat dogs and cats with nasal and lung disease. This short podcast explains the basics of how this effective form of treatment is used.
Spaying and neutering pets is important to control excessive populations of dogs and cats, but it's important to carry out an individual assessment of the impact of these operations on the pet's health before going ahead. To find out more, listen here.
In the UK, it is now illegal to own an XL Bully dog if you have not applied for a certificate of exemption for your pet. This short podcast outlines the details of the ban, including the pros and cons for this strict new law, as well as discussing what Ireland plans to do about the risk to the public from some of these dogs.
This short podcast is a from a short radio interview on Spirit radio. We discuss the surge in dogs being abandoned and surrendered to animal rescues, and we talk about what can be done to help
Dementia is a common problem in older pets: listen to this ten minute podcast to learn more about what happens, and what can be done to help.
From dog and cat toys to pet cams and more, this short podcast discusses pet related Christmas gifts
We all need a good night's sleep. So what should we do when our pets wake us up in the early hours? How can we get them to stop? Listen to the podcast to find out.
This week's podcast starts with a question from a listener about feral kittens, moving on to a discussion about how foster rescue charities work (with Milo's Mission being a great example).
In this interview, Pete explains why the XL Bully ban in the UK is destined for disaster, and he talks about different ways of dealing with the serious problem caused when large, muscular, powerful dogs go out of control.
In the USA, therapy cats are being used like dogs to visit people in hospitals. This podcasts discusses the pros and cons of this idea.
World Animal Week is a time to remember the animals in our lives. Listen to find out more about what the ISPCA is doing to help animals in Ireland
The ISPCA is having a Cycle Away From Cruelty event on Saturday 7th October. Listen in to find out more
This six minute podcast discusses the latest stray dog control statistics from Ireland.
After discussing the tragedy around the Ironman event in Cork, Pete went on to discuss puppy farms in Ireland. Two contrasting topics. Plenty to say about each.
In New Zealand, a school set up a competition to reduce the local feral cat population by asking children to shoot cats dead. After a huge outcry, this crazy idea was abandoned. But it does raise the issue: what is the best way to control feral cat populations?
An inter-departmental working group has just made a submission to Cabinet with suggestions for improving the control of dogs, including forty new dog wardens, increased on-the-spot fines, and a unified dog microchip database, accessible to the dog licensing system. Listen to this seven minute podcast to find out more.
Irish dog pounds and rescue centres are overloaded with unwanted dogs, either abandoned or surrendered by their owners. To find out more about this, listen to this 10 minute discussion on my podcast.
The diagnostic ability of vets has improved dramatically in the past twenty years, using a range of high tech equipment. Owners often do not realise this, as it happens behind the scenes. This short podcast outlines how laboratory and diagnostic imaging equipment has enabled rapid and effective diagnosis of pet illnesses that might formerly have remained a mystery.
In this week's vet spot, we discussed a recent case from my clinic, when a dog needed an operation to remove a stone that had accidentally been swallowed, and then had become stuck in the intestines.
In the wake of the dreadful attack on a child in Wexford this week, here's a discussion about how we handle dog attacks in Irish society, and how, perhaps, we could do this better.
In this week's 15 minute podcast, after an initial chat about phones (a shared interest of myself and Declan Meehan, the interviewer), we discussed the recent debate about a live animal crib in Dublin city centre, and we went on to talk about animals dreaming.
In this interview from Spirit Radio, I discuss issues for pets at this time of year, including how to keep them calm and relaxed when there are fireworks going off outside.
This week's podcast discusses feeding vegetarian or vegan food to pets, as well as using insect-based pet food as an alternative to meat-based pet food as an environmentally-friendly and animal-welfare friendly option.
In this week's podcast, we highlight the fact that today is International Dog Day, and discuss the plight of dogs in Ireland in 2022. We also highly the upcoming dog festival, Pups In The Park, that is happening on the weekend of September 10th and 11th in Marlay Park, Dublin.
Nutritional supplements are given to around 20% of pets every day. But are they really necessary? Listen to this ten minute podcast to find out more.
This week's podcast starts with a light piece about some recent research which shows that a man is more appealing to women if he is accompanied by a small dog. Then we discuss a more serious topic: helping dogs stay comfortable in the recent hot sunshine.
After a new outbreak of Parvovirus in the Dublin area, dog owners have been warned to keep their pets up to date with their vaccinations to ensure that they stay safe. To learn more about this, listen to the podcast.
If a dog bites a person, the dog's owner is usually legally liable for damages, and sometimes they may be covered for this by insurance (either pet insurance or home insurance). But why do dogs bite in the first place? And what can be done to prevent dog bites? Listen in to find out.
This week, Pete discusses the common summer problem of heatstroke in pets: how can it be prevented, and what to do if your pet is affected?
This week, I was delighted to be interviewed by Andrea Hayes, who I have worked with previously in a television series called Animal A&E. Andrea is passionate about animal welfare, and we had a useful discussion about the latest developments in Ireland, including the recent discussion in the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) about dog licences, microchips, dog breeding establishments and greyhounds.
A new report highlights that pugs are 54 times more likely to suffer from breathing issues compared to other types of dog. The report authors say that Pugs can "no longer be considered typical dogs". To find out more, listen to this podcast.
In my home town of Bray, Co Wicklow, a new bridge over a local river has been proposed. The design includes a screen of vertical cables that will create an obstruction to the many swans that live in the area. To find out more, listen to this podcast
Over 600 pets have been imported into Ireland in recent weeks as companions for refugees from Ukraine. To hear more about the details of how this is being organised, listen to this podcast.
In this 5 minute podcast, Pete outlines the essentials behind the serious issue of chocolate poisoning in dogs. This is especially important at Easter when chocolate eggs are so common in our homes.
In this week's podcast, we discuss puppy farms and online advertising of pets, the risk of dogs being poisoned by chocolate over Easter, and the background to the pets of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland.
In this podcast, Pete discusses the ways that the crisis in Ukraine is having adverse effects on animals.
It's been made illegal to breed British Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels on animal welfare grounds in Norway. To hear more about this, listen to this podcast.
My weekly podcast from East Coast FM this week featured the common problems of asthma and chronic bronchitis in cats and dogs
In news from Hong Kong, hamsters were blamed for the introduction of COVID from overseas. This podcast goes on to discuss the background to how COVID can affect - or not affect - different types of animals.
Dogs are prone to chewing - and swallowing - objects that then become lodged in the stomach or intestines. Listen here to find out about this common cause of vomiting in dogs.
Pete is just back from the Pet Innovation Summit in Boston, USA, where he learned about the latest happenings at the cutting edge of newness in the pet world.
Pet obesity is an increasingly common problem, shortening the life of many dogs and cats, and adversely impacting on their quality of life. Listen to this podcast to learn how find out if your pet is carrying too much weight, and to discover what you can do about it if they are.
In this podcast, Pete explains the reasons why it's a mistake to get a puppy as a Christmas present
In this short discussion, Pete discusses steps to take to ensure that your pets stay comfortable and safe when there are fireworks going on outside
This short podcast discusses the issues that have arisen at this time when COVID lockdowns are over and people are returning to work, leaving their pets at home.
In this interview, Pete discusses the options when a puppy has grown into a tough-to-manage young adult dog.
In this week's podcast, Pete discusses the latest development sniffer dogs from Helsinki airport, where they are being used with 100% accuracy to screen incoming passengers for Covid19.
As the world adapts to changes to heading back to work after staying at home due to Covid-19, it's a time of change for our pets. This week's podcast discusses ways of making the transition easier for animals, going on to discuss the issues of dog theft and the boom in puppy prices.
This podcast, recorded on 4th March, explains the basic facts of Coronavirus and pets. The context is that this was before the virus had become to dominate our lives in the way that it does today, just three weeks later, but the information is still pertinent. The podcast goes on to discuss rabies, indicating how low on our priorities the Coronavirus was just three weeks ago.
Many dog breeds have specific issues relating to their particular breed: this year, the overall winner at Crufts was a Dachshund, a breed which has a particularly high incidence of inter-vertebral disc disease because of their long backs. This week's podcast discusses this topic in more detail.
In this week's short podcast, Pete discusses the hectic schedule of farm vets, caused by the fact that most cattle and sheep give birth during the springtime. Pete then answered a listener's query about a condition called cherry eye in dogs.
Pete the vet is Scottish - but has been living in Ireland for nearly thirty years now. The separation of the UK - including Scotland- from the EU means that he will no longer be an EU citizen from the end of this year. East Coast FM's Declan Meehan quizzed Pete on whether or not he will become an Irish citizen, so that he can remain an EU citizen into the future. Then it was on to the usual animal topics: Pete discussed the importance of socialisation of young dogs, and what to do if your dog was poorly socialised, so that they are frightened of (or aggressive to) other dogs.
This week's podcast covers three topics: the seasonal dumping of unwanted pet dogs into animal rescue centres in Ireland, the issue of animal hoarding, and the situation in Australia where millions of native wildlife are dying.
Veterinarian Pete Wedderburn has written a book about his life as a vet in practice: you can buy this book on his website at www.petethevet.com. This podcasts explains more about what's in the book.
The message of this podcast is to think very carefully before taking on a pet: it is a decision for the entire lifetime of the animal, which means looking 10 - 15 years into the future. A dog can bring great pleasure to your life, but it's a serious responsibility that takes up time, money and energy.
Black dogs spend longer than lighter-coloured dogs in animal rescue centres, and there's no good reason for this. #BlackDogAppreciationDay is an effort to undo the unfounded negative feelings that some people have about black-coloured pets. Plus StopTober is a campaign to get people to stop smoking: the additional aspect discussed in this podcast is the fact that pets can suffer serious consequences from passive smoking if they share a home with a smoker.
Dog ownership causes people to take significantly more exercise, and it improves people's moods. Also, what will happen to pet travel after Brexit.
Dogs have been domesticated by humans over thousands of years. To find out how this has happened, and what complications have arisen as humans have been increasingly selective, listen to this podcast.
This podcast starts with a public service announcement for Brayvet clients (my own vet clinic) and then goes on to discuss Harvest Mites and how they affect pets at this time of year.
Dogs lose heat by panting, so when the environmental temperature is high, dogs overheat far more quickly, and they easily become dehydrated. Listen to this podcast to learn more about how to keep your dog cool and healthy.
In this week's podcast, Pete talks first about his love of doing triathlons, and he then discusses the dangers of heat stress to dogs.
Research from Sweden has proven that the inclination to like dogs is primarily caused by nature, rather than nurture. In other words, if you like dogs, it's because of your genetic make up.
A recent study from Sweden has shown that dogs get stressed in ways that parallel the stress felt by their owners. This is the first time that trans-species stress empathy has been proven. To learn more, listen to this podcast.
Dogs are prone to eating anything that they feel like eating, and that means that sometimes they eat substances that can do them harm. And since many dogs spend unsupervised time in the garden, there's a risk that they may eat toxic plants. Listen to the podcast below to find out more on this topic.
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, and at Easter, there's so much chocolate around that it is common for dogs to eat a toxic amount. To learn more about the risk, listen to this podcast.
The Irish government is talking about banning the sale of dogs online. Is this a realistic option? Or are there other measures that should be used first to help animal welfare?
On St Patrick's Day weekend, snakes come to mind. St Patrick may have ensured that Ireland is snake-free, but snakes are back. They're a popular pet these days, and in this podcast, Pete discusses basic snake care.
In this podcast, recorded on International Women's Day, Pete discusses the changing gender balance of the veterinary profession, with the trend for more females, and less males, to graduate as vets.
Humans have to work with pets, to keep them under control. Whether it's a dog straining at the leash, or a cat objecting to having a blood sample being taken, there are good ways - and bad ways - of handling animals. Listen to this podcast to find out more.
Do you need to get a coat for your dog in winter? And if so, what type of coat is best? Listen to this podcast to find out more.
Globally, pets consume around 20 per cent of the world’s meat and fish, and this is set to grow further with the trend for feeding human grade meat to dogs and cats. Insect-based foods are the latest idea to try to address this issue; they also are animal welfare friendly, and they can be used for pets that are allergic to regular pet food.
What are you going to do with your pet's remains when they die? Listen to this podcast to find out the various options, including aspects like incorporating cremated ashes into owners' tattoos.
Two thirds of our pets are overweight or obese, and this seriously affects their quality and length of life. Obesity is a chronic state of inflammation, in pets as in people. Listen to the podcast to find out more.
Anna Wedderburn talking on Spirit Radio about her experience working in a hospital in southern India from 2017 to 2018, with the Mission to End Leprosy
The companionship of animals brings many benefits to humans: listen to this short podcast to find out more. Also, what's going on with the sale of dogs in pet shops in the UK and California?
From Christmas presents to Christmas dinner: what should people be doing for their pets this year?
Kittens need to be well socialised so that they grow up to be calm, friendly pets. To find out more about this, listen to this podcast.
At this time of year, fireworks cause many dogs (and cats) to get upset because they are afraid of the sights, sounds and smells. Listen to this podcast to learn how to help pets stay calm and relaxed at this time of year.
Do you ever wash your dog or cat? This is one of the routine parts of pet care which many people wonder about. How often should a pet be washed? What sort of shampoo or soap should be used? How long should it be left on? To find out, listen to this podcast.
Some pet owners have lost their trust in vaccinations, and as a consequence, they are refusing to have their pets vaccinated according to their vets' recommendations. As a result, epidemics of diseases like Parvovirus are starting to happen again. This podcast runs over the history and background to this topic.
Puppy farms tend to produce pups that grow up to be adult dogs with behavioural problems, and the UK has been very progressive in tackling these issues. The UK has just passed "Lucy's Law" which bans the sale of puppies by third parties such as pet shops, on the internet etc. This podcast explains the background to this ban, plus the likely impact on the Irish dog exports.
After a brief mention of "bee rescue", this week's talk focusses on the truth about animal cruelty legislation and enforcement in Ireland.
Pedigree cats need to be bred with care, choosing only healthy individuals without extreme conformation (such as flat faces or odd-shaped ears), and health testing should be done to prevent inherited diseases. To find out more, listen to this podcast.
A swan in a local harbour was attacked by a dog and badly injured. To find out what happened, listen to this podcast.
Every summer dogs die in cars, whether parked or being driven by the owner. So everyone, please be very very careful. Listen to the podcast to find out more.
Bonnie suffers from itchy skin: this podcast discusses food allergy, and in particular the possible benefits of a raw meat diet for dogs that are itching.
During this long hot summer, it's more important than ever to care for your pets carefully to make sure that they stay safe and comfortable.
In this warm weather, it is NEVER ok to leave a dog in a vehicle. At the Groove Festival in Bray last weekend, a dog had to be removed from the back of a van by the police after it was found to have been left there. Listen to this podcast to find out more about why dogs cannot be left alone in cars in the summer.
Heatstroke is a big risk to dogs and owners need to be aware of how to keep their pets cool. And Pugs, like all flat faced dogs are more prone to this. The new Disney movie Patrick features a Pug and many vets are worried that this may make the breed even more popular, with new owners not realising the possible health challenges in the breed.
This is SpayAware week in Ireland, highlighting the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and cats for health reasons as well as for population control. To find out more, listen to the podcast.
Antibiotic resistance is a serious threat to human health. The veterinary profession uses antibiotics as much as the human medical profession. So how much of a role can vets play in dealing with this problem? Listen to this podcast to find out more.
At their annual conference this weekend, Irish pet vets urged members of the public to “think twice” before buying a flat faced dog like a pug, bulldog or French bulldog. This podcast discusses the issues in detail.
This week, Pete talks about alpacas, as well as emotional support animals being transported in airlines
Spot, Rover, Tibbles and Pickles may be traditional pet names, but these days people are calling their pets by human names. This podcast considers why this is happening, and discusses pets' names in more detail
Six out of ten vets have to treat dogs for chocolate poisoning over Easter. This podcast explains why chocolate is so bad for dogs.
Emotional support animals have been in the news recently, after a hamster and peacock were refused permission to bring their pets onto aeroplanes.
Diabetes mellitus is a common problem in dogs and cats: to find out more about it, listen to this podcast
Many people have chosen to be vegan for the month for January, taking part in Veganuary. Some pet owners would like their pets to be vegan too, but is this possible? Pete the Vet explains the possibilities in this podcast.
Considering Christmas presents for your pets? What sort of indulgences are appropriate and which are just a bit of fun? To find out more, listen to this podcast.
From reflective collars to illuminated leads: there are different ways of making pets more visible in the winter months. Listen to this podcast to find out more.
Fireworks come out every year at different times - from Halloween to Guy Fawkes to New Year. Many animals are terrified of these noisy, bright creations. Listen to this podcast to find out how you can help them.
Why do dogs use their facial expressions to plead with their owners? Listen to this podcast to find out more.
In disaster zones, human life is at risk and unfortunately, animals also suffer. In this podcast, we discuss this topic, as well as moving on to discuss the concept of "parental leave" for owners whose pets are unwell.
In this month's interview on South East Radio, Pete discusses some tips on pet care for Halloween and for pets that are sensitive to fireworks sounds.
Pete Wedderburn from GoreyBrayVet has recently started to do a once monthly phone-in radio vet slot on South East Radio based in Wexford. This is the first slot, including a general chat plus some questions from listeners.
This week on East Coast FM, Pete talks about the benefits - and challenges - of bringing dogs in to the work place.
"Even the farmers in the UK are worried" New trade deals with the USA and South America risk a two-tier food supply in the UK: cheap imported meat and milk from outside Europe, then expensive meat and dairy products from Europe. What will that do to UK farmers, and how will leakage of these imported cheap foods impact on Irish farmers? Listen to Pete discussing this on East Coast FM this week.
The Irish stray dog statistics were published last week: on East Coast FM this week, Pete discussed these, explaining how the system for stray dogs works, and talking about the reasons for recent improvements in the number of stray dogs being euthanased in Ireland. Pete also introduces GoreyBrayVet, his new clinic which opened this week.
Parvovirus was a major issue twenty years ago, but pet owners are less worried about it these days because it's not seen so often. The problem is that this has lead to some complacency, with many dogs becoming vulnerable because they are not giving repeated vaccinations for many years in the mistaken belief that they don't need them,
In this week's podcast, we discuss Bring Your Dog To Work Day, mentioning the health and social benefits from dogs. From low blood pressure, to improved mental health, to a more positive attitude in the workplace, there are many reasons why employers should consider allowing dogs in the workplace. We went on to discuss the topical issue of heat stroke in dogs.
When I was recording my weekly podcast at East Coast FM this week, a listener texted in to say that their dog was taking an unhealthy interest in slugs and snails. Should they worry about lungworm, and what should they do? I have discussed this recently, but it is clearly a topic that is worrying pet owners right now, so we covered the topic again in this podcast. I then told a tale of a recent confirmed case of lungworm that I had seen in practice just the week before.
Lungworm is an emerging parasite, with prevention of this disease now being an important part of pet care. To find out more about it, listen to this podcast.
Veterinarian Pete Wedderburn has written a collection of stories of intriguing, amusing and interesting cases from his life as a vet in companion animal practice in Ireland. Learn more in this interview with Dave Hodgson from The Daily on Talk Radio Europe.
In this week's podcast, Pete the Vet starts by discussing a recent incident in the Irish newspapers where a man was seen to pounce on a swan, grabbing it by the neck. Pete then discusses the issue of ticks, what can be done to prevent them, and how they can be removed.
This week, Pete discusses the broad topic of cancer in pets, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation treatment and other possibilities. The importance of an accurate diagnosis of the type of cancer is stressed: this is of the utmost importance.
In this week's podcast, Pete the Vet explains the background to chocolate poisoning: why does it happen, how much chocolate is dangerous, and what should be done if dogs accidentally eat chocolate. Lily poisoning in cats is also discussed: the most common poison to affect pet cats.
In this week's podcast, Pete introduces his new book Pet Subjects, and outlines some of the interesting and strange cases whose stories have been included. The book includes over twenty cases from Pete's practice, ranging from dogs and cats to tortoises and birds.
In this podcast, recorded at the start of April 2017, the issue of compulsory microchips is discussed.
In this podcast, Pete discusses the recent RTE Prime Time segment which investigates the greyhound industry in Ireland. He goes on to talk about the poor health in some pedigree dogs.
Fat bergs have been in the news after washing up on Irish beaches. To find out more about what these are, and how they can be dangerous to dogs, listen to this podcast.
Puppy farms are regulated by the law in Ireland, and this is currently open for public consultation. Listen to this podcast to find out more.
Scientists have spiced human DNA into the genome of pig embryos, tweaking the immunoreactivity of the pig's livers so that they are not rejected when transplanted into humans. Listen to the podcast to hear Pete the Vet's take on this.
This week on East Coast FM, Pete discusses the complicated issue of deciding when to euthanase a pet, and the then goes on to explain about the various options for looking after your pet's body, including burial and cremation.
Recent research has helped us to understand why we speak to animals in "funny" voices, and how much difference it makes to the animals when we do this. To find out more, listen to this podcast.
This week's podcast discusses pet first aid, education of children about animal care, and finally, the serious issue of dog theft
Pete the Vet discusses seal rescue in Ireland, describing a recent case where he was involved with the rescue of an injured seal pup on a local beach
This week on East Coast FM, Pete discusses the recent research which has led to a new recommendation in the early treatment of heart disease. He also discusses the high cost of long term treatment of these types of cases, and the way that pet insurance can help. Other topics discussed included pet theft, and the issue of bovine TB being carried by wildlife.
In this week's podcast, Pete discusses the story of Sissi, a cat who was deliberately shot with a high velocity rifle. Pete describes how this may have happened, and what can be done to prevent it.
Many people want to know why their dog is dragging its bottom along the ground - so-called sledging or scooting. This podcast discusses this topic, explaining the possible reasons. We also discuss the issue of dogs being frightened of fireworks.
Tragically, a baby was killed in the UK by a dog, and a young boy was severely injured. In this podcast, Pete discusses the issues behind these dog attacks that seem to occur with a depressing frequency. What can be done to stop them?
In this week's podcast, Pete discusses the legacy of James Herriot, the well known veterinary author from the Yorkshire Dales who would be 100 on 4th October if he was still alive today.
Kennel Cough is one of those "optional" vaccines, but what is the disease, and which pets need to be protected against it? Listen to Pete the Vet's podcast to find out more
Greyhound racing is under pressure globally and has just been banned in New South Wales. In this podcast, Pete the Vet discusses the situation in Ireland.
This is the time of year when children go back to school, and daily activities change from summer holiday mode to term time routines. This can affect dogs, just like people. In this podcast, Pete the Vet discusses how to minimise any negative impact on your pet.
In his weekly podcast, Pete discusses various behavioural issues of pet dogs from stealing food off tables, to sniffing people in an antisocial way, and more
In this week's podcast from East Coast FM, we discuss itchiness, a common summer ailment in pet dogs. From this daily issue for pet owners, we then moved to discuss the appalling situation in China where dogs are boiled alive to be eaten.
Cats are much misunderstood and this podcast aims to pass on six important facts about cats that everyone should know.
Goldfish can make great pets, and Pete the Vet has a few tips on how to make them live for longer, as healthy happy creatures.
Puppy farming is still a big issue in Ireland, with pups regularly being intercepted on the way to being sold in the UK.
On East Coast FM this week, we covered a range of subjects, from Pete's entry in Dublin Ironman 70.3 to #IceCreamGate to worms in dogs
@im703dublin Pete the Vet did his weekly vet spot on East Coast FM in triathlon gear this week. To find out why, listen to this short clip
This week, Pete the Vet discussed the recently released figures on animal experimentation in Ireland. and he discusses the ethics of vivisection: is it every justifiable to experiment on animals?
Pets love playing ball games - whether dogs chasing a ball in the park, or a cat following a ball rolling down the stairs. Listen to Pete the Vet talk about the various ball throwing options.
If you find an injured or abandoned bird, what should you do to help? Pete the Vet explains the different scenarios that can occur, and the action you should take.
Brachycephalic dogs (like Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs) often suffer because they cannot breathe properly. Pete the Vet explains the background to this issue, and what can be done to deal with it.
I talked about the importance of checking for hidden wildlife before we tidy up our gardens or cut our long grass. #animals like hedgehogs can be badly cut by garden strimmers.
On this week's podcast, we began by discussing the story of the abandoned kittens being found in a cardboard box in Donegal. We went on to discuss the advantages of spaying and Pete answered a listeners' question about a snake not eating.
On this week's podcast, Pete discussed the advantages of massage therapy for dogs and then he talked about people having to microchip their dogs now by law.
In this week's podcast, Pete discusses the dangers of dogs stealing and eating chocolate and the dangers of cats getting the pollen from lilies on their fur and then licking it off and being poisoned.
This week, Pete answers a question about a mature housetrained dog who suddenly begins soiling in the house. Then they go on to talk about Valentines Day with your dog.
This week, we began by discussing Pete becoming vegan for the month of January. This was followed by Pete answering listeners questions.
This week, we discussed why Santa is reluctant to give pets as presents. Also, Pete told us about a Christmas crisis that he had to cope with the evening before.
Pete discussed pet food. Commercial pet food manufacturers are legally obliged to make sure that their pet food contains nutrients that pets need.
In this week's podcast, we discussed mange and dry skin in dogs. What a dog eats has an impact on the dogs skin condition. If a dog has a good diet, then a dog will have a healthy shiny coat.
keeping your pets safe at halloween, microchipping your pets and fitbit collars for pets.
It's common to find hedgehogs out and about at this time of year. If you find one, should you rescue it, or leave it to its own devices. Listen to this podcast to find out.
Pete discusses how we can help keep our pets safer over the dark winter months. He recommends putting reflective collars on our cats and using a lead with a neon strip running along it for our dogs.
In this week's podcast, we discussed the issue of rescue dogs and dog pounds and the value of pet adoption.
In this week's podcast, we started by discussing pets that are fussy eaters, and we went on to discuss the seasonal problem of harvest mites
This week on East Coast FM, we discussed the new dog microchipping legislation which has just come into force in Ireland.
In this podcast, Pete discusses the subject of feeding your pet - something that all pet owners do at least once daily
To make a difference from the usual, Pete the Vet reports on his Ironman 70.3 race which he did in Dublin in August 2015
This week, we discussed cats - a recent survey revealed that there are over 800000 cats living in Ireland.
In this week's podcast, we discuss the recent court case where a man was just given community service for beating his dog to death. After this serious and rather depressing topic, we go on to discuss pet passports...
This week, a listener texted in a query about feeding raw potato skins and pea pods to their dog. After answering this, we went on to discuss dog nutrition in general.
In this week's podcast, a few listeners' queries are answered, including the tendency for large dark coloured dogs to overheat in hot weather, and a discussion on the early socialisation of puppies.
This week, we discuss the animal welfare conference taking place in Dublin on 12th June 2015, and Pete answers a listener's query about how to stop her dog barking incessantly in the garden
Trap Neuter Release (TNR) is the best way to control feral cat populations. When the management of a local apartment complex informed residents that they had employed a pest control company "to remove the cats", many of the residents felt that this was inappropriate, so they contacted local cat enthusiasts for their support in finding an alternative answer. Listen to this podcast to find out more.
In this week's broadcast on East Coast FM, we started with a listener who had a problem with unwanted rats in her garden, and we moved on to talk about the timing of spaying kittens, then the issue of pets watching tv.
This week on East Coast FM, we discussed the importance of spaying and neutering pets: in most cases, it's good for pets' health, and it is the best way to deal with Ireland's big problem with pet overpopulation
This is the SpayAware radio advert for our 2015 campaign, to be broadcast nationwide in Ireland on Newstalk during SpayAware Week - from 24th to 31st May 2015.
Rabbits are misunderstood creatures and are often accidentally neglected as pets. In this week's podcast, four ways of improving rabbits' lives are discussed.
This week, a case of sheep being massacred on a local farm was discussed, followed by the complex subject of dog parks
Dog bites have increased in Ireland by 20% on a per capita basis in Ireland in the past 15 years. Why is this, and what can be done to prevent dog bites?
A court in Donegal has just taken the first prosecution under the new Irish Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which came into law in March 2014. The case involves a dog that was abandoned, an event which happened in March 2014, but it has taken until now to come to court.
This week on East Coast FM, Pete the Vet discusses why some dogs enjoy eating soil, and others enjoy chewing grass. Does it indicate a nutritional deficiency? Can it cause any harm?
In this week's podcast, Pete discusses puppy farming in Ireland, following up the RTE Consumer Show investigation that was shown last week (you can watch this on RTE Player here http://www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/10388623/)
Crufts, the world's biggest dog show, ran into controversy this year, with rumours of poisoning and the "best in show dog" being lifted in a way that upset British dog lovers. And not forgetting cats: why do cats scratch furniture? To find out more, listen to the podcast
Many dog owners have a simple question: how often should they be washed? This podcast gives a useful overview of this subject.
Cats are far more likely to be harmed by humans compared to dogs. This podcast discusses the reasons for this and tries to suggest alternative, kind ways for people to deal with cats that may be causing problems.
On East Coast FM this week, I answered a listener's query about a gerbil with a runny eye & then we went on to discuss a local issue that's going on at the moment about dogs chasing sheep in the countryside
This week, we review the important issue of overweight and obese pets. Why does it happen and what can be done to help? This ties in with TV3's Project Pet Slimdown which is happening on Ireland AM during the spring of 2015.
This week, we discuss the issue of pets wetting their beds, and also other aspects of "house training". We go on to discuss the animal welfare issues around geese being used to produce "foie gras"
Many owners swear that their dogs look guilty if they misbehave: now scientists have investigated this using some carefully controlled experiments. To find out the results, listen to this podcast.
Pete the Vet does the "news and natter" section with Sean Moncrieff on Newstalk: from animal rights to cold weather topics (including hens wearing home knitted jerseys)
Pete the Vet (wearing an elf costume) discusses various Christmas related issues for pets, as well as answering listeners' general queries (such as a terrier with a nose-licking obsession).
On East Coast FM this week, we discussed the ISPCA's decision to stop running local authority dog pounds in some areas, and the DSPCA's news story about their call to have online advertising of animals banned in Ireland
It's easy to spoil pets at Christmas time, but it's easy to create problems by giving the wrong foods or too much of the right foods. To find out more, listen to this podcast
This week, Pete reports on the London Vet Show, discussing some of the new information that he gleaned while attending.
In this week's podcast, courtesy of East Coast FM, we discuss the recent deaths of eleven greyhounds in transit to the European continent from Ireland, and we go on to talk about the wider picture of export of live farm animals
This week's podcast started with a discussion on the latest trends in pet names: Oliver and Molly are in, Rover and Sheba are out. We then moved on to discuss the most recent, innovative forms of flea control in pets.
This year on East Coast FM, BrayVet sponsored a series of general messages, including some advice about pets, to encourage safety over the Halloween period.
This year on East Coast FM, BrayVet sponsored a series of general messages, including some advice about pets, to encourage safety over the Halloween period.
This year on East Coast FM, BrayVet sponsored a series of general messages, including some advice about pets, to encourage safety over the Halloween period.
This year on East Coast FM, BrayVet sponsored a series of general messages, including some advice about pets, to encourage safety over the Halloween period.
This year on East Coast FM, BrayVet sponsored a series of general messages, including some advice about pets, to encourage safety over the Halloween period.
In this week's podcast, Pete discusses a specific aspect of the latest budget in Ireland, with a focus on the impact on spending on animal welfare.
This week's podcast starts with a discussion of the "Ebola dog", then answers a few queries, from "when is it right to have a pet euthanased", to dressing up pets in clothes, to winter problems of pets
Itchy ears are one of the most common reasons for dogs needing to visit the vet. This week's podcast talks about how to deal with this common problem. Does ear plucking help?
This week, Pete the Vet discusses ways to ensure that your pet is a happy traveller when being taken for trips in the car
In our podcast this week, we discuss the discovery of poisonous spiders in a house in Ireland.
Two subjects for discussion today: the young boy being badly bitten by a dog in North Dublin recently, and then the details of National Chipping Month - highlighting the importance of microchips in Ireland
Pete the Vet spent his summer holiday looking after someone else's pets and house in Greece - in this interview, he discusses the phenomenon of internet-enabled pet sitting in other countries via websites like www.trustedhousesitters.com
What motivates vets to work in the media? Pete the Vet discusses the reasons why he enjoys spending time on the radio, tv, in print and on social media instead of staying in the consulting room and operating theatre.
This week's subject is Kennel Cough, caused by Bordetella Bronchiseptica, which is a common infectious cough of dogs. To learn more about this disease, listen to the track.
On the Moncrieff Show on Newstalk, Pete the Vet discusses a range of topical subjects with Sean Moncrieff. From Dublin seagulls to the challenge of holiday pet care to helping conservation of tigers to dealing with fear of thunder. Listen here:
On East Coast FM this week, Pete the Vet discusses the latest fad of teaching cats to use the human toilet.
On East Coast FM this week, Pete the Vet discusses the common, appalling issue of dogs dying when left in hot cars
Brayvet's Pete Wedderburn explains what to do if you find a young bird that seems to be injured. Click here to listen
Listen to BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn discussing new treatments for spinal injuries in pets on East Coast FM this week
On East Coast FM this week, BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn discusses SpayAware, as well as the latest ISPCA rescue of over sixty dogs from a breeding establishment.
BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn on Newstalk's Moncrieff show - Spay/neuter awareness, what to do with pets when you go on holiday and more.....
On East Coast FM this week, Brayvet's Pete Wedderburn briefly tackles sheep shearing before discussing the syndrome of animal hoarding
On East Coast FM, BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn discusses taking dogs along on sponsored walks that are planned as human events.
On East Coast FM this week, BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn discusses getting ready for the summer heat with your pet: how to avoid problems
On East Coast FM this week, Brayvet's Pete Wedderburn discusses the latest stray dog statistics: far too many dogs are produced in Ireland and the result is that ten healthy dogs are killed every day in dog pounds across the country
On East Coast FM this week, Brayvet's Pete Wedderburn discusses chocolate poisoning in pets, and why shared custody of pets can make sense when human relationships don't work out
On East Coast FM this week, Brayvet's Pete Wedderburn discusses the background to greyhound racing in Ireland, and the reason why people should consider taking on a greyhound as a pet.
Brayvet's Pete Wedderburn talks on East Coast FM about springtime: now is the best time to get your pet spayed or neutered
BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn recently spent a week doing a survey on rabies in a slum in Delhi. In this radio interview, he discusses the trip
This week on East Coast FM, BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn discusses the phenomenon of "heel work to music" & mentions his own dancing plans
On East Coast FM this week, BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn discusses issues of more exotics pets - hamsters and rabbits. Listen by clicking on the play button.
On East Coast FM, 16 year old Ella Wedderburn from Bray describes her recent trip with a charity to volunteer in a Delhi slum
On East Coast FM this week, BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn deals with a hibernating hamster, a dog that snuffles when excited & he explains his recent trip to India
Pete Wedderburn, from BrayVet, is travelling to Delhi to visit a slum to investigate the issue of urban free-living dogs and rabies
BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn discusses the issue of Alzheimer's type disease in older dogs and cats. Listen by clicking the play button below.
On East Coast FM this week, Brayvet's Pete Wedderburn discusses complex cases that don't fit the text book pattern, arthritis (or degenerative joint disease) and what to do if your dog vomits up blood.
In his first interview on Spirit Radio, Brayvet's Pete Wedderburn discusses the attitudes of Irish people to animals, & he explains why and when he decided to become a vet
On East Coast FM this week, BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn discussed Ireland's Dog Control laws which mean that certain breeds must always be muzzled in public.
Brayvet's Pete Wedderburn solves the pet problems of East Coast FM listeners in his weekly radio vet spot
On East Coast FM this week, BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn discussed the problem with cats going into other people's houses. He goes on to discuss Christmas presents for pets and animal lovers.
This week, BrayVet's Pete Wedderburn discusses the after-hours service provided by vets, and a listener wants to know how to stop a dog being a fussy eater. Click on the play button to listen.
This week on East Coast FM, Brayvet's Pete Wedderburn talked with a listener about the increasing cost of pet insurance
This week on East Coast FM, Brayvet's Pete Wedderburn discusses the effect of herbal sedatives on cats, and then the controversial subject of dog clones
On East Coast FM this week, Pete Wedderburn discusses the various post-nominal letters that vets use to show their qualifications. Plus the puzzle of a cat that had stopped eating.
This week on East Coast FM, we discuss National Chipping Month - this is the ideal time to get your pet microchipped if you live in Ireland.
On East Coast FM this week, Brayvet's Pete Wedderburn discusses recent research which suggests that dogs engage as much with robots that feed them as with humans.
On East Coast FM this week, Pete Wedderburn discusses moulting/shedding: is there any way to stop pets from losing hair around the house? Then triathlons? Well, they are Pete's main leisure activity
On East Coast FM this week, we discuss wasp stings (a common problem in the late summer) and the issue of rabbit aggression.
On East Coast FM this week, we started off with a listener's query about an itchy Westie, & we moved on to discuss the complexities of flea control: should you buy "flea drops" from your local supermarket or pet shop, or should you ask your local vet?
This week on East Coast FM, we discuss the common problem of cats raiding other cats' homes, causing problem stress-related behaviours (such as urinating indoors). How can these bullies be stopped?
On East Coast FM this week, Pete the vet discusses the common summer problem of sore paws in dogs, including harvest mites. Could vegetation or harvest mites be the cause? We also discuss gastroenteritis, which is also a common problem that vets see during the summer.
On East Coast FM, I discussed Elizabethan Collars with Declan Meehan: has your pet ever had to wear one? Listen here to find out more about them.
Dog theft- also known as dog-napping - seems to be increasingly common. On East Coast FM this week, vet Pete Wedderburn discusses the subject with Declan Meehan
This week on East Coast FM, we discuss my recent trip to New York City, and some of my animal-related experiences there, including visiting the Animal Medical Center and a local cat rescue group in the East Village
This week's podcast from Pete the Vet covers the topical issue of looking after pets in hot weather.
This week, a listener called in to ask how she can start teaching her pet dog how to do agility. Jumping over hurdles and running through tunnels is something that many pets can learn to do. Listen to this clip to find out more.
On East Coast FM this week, Pete the Vet discusses his new veterinary hospital in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, which is nearing completion. He also answers a listener's query about how to tell if a dog is blind.
On East Coast FM this week, we discussed the topical issue of dogs overheating in sunny weather. For some tips on how to prevent this, click on the play button below.
On East Coast FM, this week, we discussed various animal welfare issues, including overheating dogs in cars, unwanted horses, and the unusual recent case where dogs were stolen from boarding kennels
On East Coast FM this week, we discussed the comparison of human years to dog years: is there any truth to the "one year equals seven" concept?
On East Coast FM this week, we discuss a range of topical issues, as well as taking a call from a listener with a dog that's moulting all over the place.
This week on East Coast FM, Pete Wedderburn had a longer-than-usual chat with Declan Meehan, talking about his life story, from wanting to be a vet as a child, to developing a career working as a media vet, to more personal issues, such as his faith in God.
On East Coast FM this week, we discussed the announcement by the Minster of Agriculture that microchipping will be made compulsory for dogs in Ireland. Will this be a useful measure? How much will it cost? Who should pay for it? To hear the discussion, click on the play button below.
In this week's radio vet spot, Pete is joined by Andrea Hayes, who co-presents TV3's Animal A&E which airs every Thursday at 7.30pm. Pete and Andrea discuss some of the behind the scenes aspects of creating the television series.
On East Coast FM this week, we discuss the story of Finzi, an abandoned dog that I rescued recently, and then we go on to discuss the issue of obesity in pets.
On East Coast FM this week, Pete Wedderburn discusses the problem of urine marking in households with multiple cats living together.
Cats are often blamed for passing a disease to Toxoplasmosis to humans, but as this radio discussion explains, it's much more complicated than that. Also, is it OK to feed eggs to pets? And what about other scraps and treats?
On the East Coast FM Vet Spot this week, we discussed urban foxes - is there a serious risk to children? And what about small pets, like cats?
On East Coast FM this week, we discussed the news from the UK that it will become compulsory to have all dogs microchipped from April 2013. Why is this being done, and is Ireland likely to introduce similar legislation? Listen here to find out.
On this week's East Coast FM Morning Show, we discussed two subjects: first, seabirds getting into trouble due to human pollution, and second, the rights and wrongs of chemotherapy being used to treat pets with cancer.
On East Coast FM this week, a listener phoned in to discuss her dog: he had just been diagnosed with Parvovirus by her vet. Another listener called in to ask about her itchy dog. To listen to the discussion, click on the play button below.
On East Coast FM this week, we discussed how animals cope with the cold, wet weather of winter. Also, how do you house train pups at a time of year when they don't enjoy going outside at all? And some chat about the new TV3 series of Animal A&E.
Tips on keeping cats successfully, chat about Dublin Zoo, toilet training puppies, eye problems in dogs, dogs attacking the mail, halitosis in dogs with healthy teeth, and using Shuttercal to catalogue your life in pictures
Listen to Pete talking to Sile on a range of subjects, from "teacup pigs" as pets, resolutions for pet owners, how to stop terriers digging and eating earth, dealing with an aggressive young cat and microchip-coded cat flaps,
On this week's vet spot on East Coast FM, we started by talking about penguins in zoos, going on to discuss the latest David Attenborough television programmes on Africa
Choosing the right pet in the first place is the most important step towards successful and happy pet ownership. Having said that, all pets can benefit from renewed engagement with their owners, and the New Year can be a useful time to start to form good habits. Listen here for a discussion on this subject.
This week on East Coast FM, Pete discusses the plight of animal rescue groups with presenter Declan Meehan.
On East Coast FM this week, Declan Meehan asks me about the seizure of a batch of puppies in Dublin this week: on the way to the UK market. We also discussed the issue of tail docking and dew claw removal in Ireland.
I went in to "review the newspapers" on Newstalk's Sean Moncrieff''s lunchtime show, but we ended up covering all sorts of stuff, from the new Animal Health & Welfare Bill to pet obesity to pet dentistry to the emotional trauma of euthanasing pets. To find out more, click on the play button.
On East Coast FM this week, I talked to Declan Meehan about the surgical operation discussed on the Brayvet Facebook page this week..... and a listener called in to ask why their dog insists on chasing shadows.... click on the play button below to listen
I was in Newstalk last month, dealing with the usual selection of queries from listeners. From boarding kennels to doggy day care to dog toys and more.
Everyone now seems to recognise that it makes sense for all pet dogs to be microchipped from puppyhood, but did you know that microchips are equally useful for cats, rabbits and other pets? Listen to this podcast to find out more.
A surprisingly high proportion of people admit to sleeping with their pets beneath the covers: on East Coast FM this week, we discuss this subject, including possible health issues that may be involved.
On East Coast FM this week, I discussed the Spay Ireland initiative to raise awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering pet dogs and cats. To hear more, click on the play button below.
On East Coast FM this week, a listener called in with an unusual problem: a Muscovy duck had crash-landed onto their conservatory. After dealing with this tricky situation, we moved on to discuss the issue of urban foxes. Click on the play button to listen.
On East Coast FM this week, a listener sent in a question about a cat spraying urine in their home - in a multi-cat household. In this radio discussion, we talk about how to create a home environment that cats find less stressful.
Angela Cook - a long standing client of Brayvet and the owner of two lovely Labradors, Angel and Archie - passed away recently. Angela had appeared on Bray's local radio station, East Coast FM, on several occasions, and this is a short tribute to her, broadcast last week just before Pete Wedderburn's regular vet spot.
Following on from the TV discussion earlier this week about what to do if your own dog is barking too much, East Coast FM's Declan Meehan asked me what to do if your neighbour's dog is the one causing a problem. Listen here.
The figures for animal experimentation in Ireland seem to be on the rise, and this week, we discussed the complex issue of vivisection. This was just a short chat, and we really do need to look into this in more detail with better background information at some stage in the future.
This week, presenter Declan Meehan had two vets to talk to: myself, and Orla Doherty from the Animal Behaviour Clinic. We discussed how to modify animal behaviour, with a particular emphasis on horse behaviour. To listen, click on the play button below.
A couple of subjects discussed on East Coast FM this week. There's a sad greyhound story in the news about former racing dogs being killed by a blunt blow to the head and then dumped - in Limerick. And we deal with this dilemma: when people find animals on the roads - domestic pets - where do they turn? Who bears the cost? It happens all the time....
This week on East Coast FM, we discussed the bizarre news story about an unfortunate elephant escaping from the circus and going for a ramble around a Cork suburb. We also discussed what the public should do about dead badgers that are the unlucky victims of road accidents, with their bodies being found beside the road.
In this week's audio clip, I discuss a problem that a listener has because she can't keep her dog fenced in, and she lives in the countryside. Are electric shock collars the answer? Also, more discussion on fur farming.
On this week's East Coast FM, we discussed my visit to Crufts last week, and we also answered a few questions from listeners. To listen, click on the play button.
I went in to the Newstalk studios to discuss pets with Sile Seoige. This is the first half of our interview.
In this week's podcast, I discussed stick insects as pets, then a listener called in with a query about her cat who has started marking her curtains with urine. Yucks. Listen here to find out more.
In this week's radio vet spot, we discuss the complexities of hens being kept as pets: taking them to the vet, carrying out medical investigations etc.... listen by clicking on the play button
This week on East Coast FM, we discussed the situation in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council have banned dogs from being allowed off the leash on local beaches at all times. Is this fair and reasonable? Listen by clicking on the play button.
Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhan was standing in for Sile Seoige when I went into the studios last week to discuss various aspects of pet care - from the new movement regulations for pets travelling between European countries, to the importance of having owner details properly registered on microchip databases, to general questions from listeners. Listen to part one here:
This week's discussion on East Coast FM with Declan Meehan contained the usual mix of subjects. Listen below.
This week, on East Coast FM, vet Pete Wedderburn starts off by discussing basic house training for new pups and kittens, and he goes on to discuss simple New Years Resolutions for pet owners.
Pete joined Sean for a chat on Wednesday 4th January - covering subjects as diverse as behavioural problems in dogs, power cuts in Connemara, the high suicide rate in the veterinary profession and Dara O'Briain's missing puppies. Listen by pressing the play button below.
Christmas is a time of celebration for humans but it can be confusing for pets. Why is no-one going to work? Why aren't I being taken for my normal walk? What's this "turkey" stuff instead of my normal dry kibbles? In this radio interview, vet Pete Wedderburn discusses seasonal aspects of pet care over the holiday period.
On East Coast FM this week, vet Pete Wedderburn discusses recent goings-on at Edinburgh and Dublin zoos. Are zoos about conservation of nature, or are they just self-perpetuating institutions at the expense of the animals that they house?
This week's Podcast is a discussion of mink farming in Ireland. This has been banned for over a decade in the UK. Isn't it time that Ireland followed suit?
Here's my most recent Newstalk interview with Sean Moncrieff - a number of queries from pet owning listeners.
In this week's veterinary podcast, we discuss dealing with the problem of mice invading people's homes. What's the best way to solve the problem? Listen here to find out.
Aortic thrombo-embolism is a common problem in older cats. In this week's radio discussion, we discuss the causes, the signs that develop, and the various treatment options available.
On this week's East Coast FM Morning Show, a caller phoned in with a question about a hamster. Listen for yourself.....
In this week's podcast, the subject is the new young dog trainer on the BBC's One Show - who used dominance style techniques to control an aggressive dog.
In these week's broadcast, I talk about ticks & fleas, answer a listener's question about how to keep his neighbour's cats away from his aviary, and I discuss how to treat ringworm.
Open farms are popular destinations for summer holiday excursions, and they can be an excellent way of both entertaining and educating children. Learn more about them in this podcast.
Should you dive in and rescue your pet from a river? A homeless man did exactly that when somebody allegedly threw his pet into the River Liffey in Dublin. Listen here for a discussion of the subject
This week, a vote by the Dutch parliament has passed a ban on the no-stun slaughter of animals, as practiced by the Moslem and Jewish communities. Listen here to our radio discussion about this on East Coast FM.
Pets seem to drink from all sorts of places, including muddy puddles and ditches. Is this safe? And why do they so often reject the fresh tap water that we leave down for them? To find out more, listen here:
This week on East Coast FM, we discussed how to keep dogs clean: brushing or washing? Listen here: