New Vet Reality Show for TEN

Channel TEN have headhunted TV vet Dr Chris Brown from Channel NINE for a brand new reality show that will commence production in mid-February. No word yet when this show will go to air, but it probably won’t be until the later half of the year.

The following is a press release from Channel TEN;

Popular television vet jumps ship to star in TEN’s new factual show Bondi Vet

Wednesday, February 13, 2008.

Network Ten is pleased to announce it has commissioned a brand new Australian program, Bondi Vet, which will commence production in mid-February, 2008.

Featuring charismatic and energetic Sydney Veterinarian, Dr. Chris Brown, Bondi Vet is an unscripted eight part, half-hour television series, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Australia’s most famous beach, Bondi Beach.

Chronicling the adventures of Dr. Chris, who lives and works in Bondi, Bondi Vet will allow viewers a unique insight into the world of one of Sydney’s busiest vets and the animals he devotes his days caring for and treating.

Audiences will be exposed to unusual, unexpected and extraordinary animal “tails”, and of course their owners, all through the eyes of Dr. Chris, who is adored by his clients, both the quadruped and bi-ped types.

From cats and crustaceans to canaries and chickens, Bondi Vet will show Dr. Chris saving the lives of animals that are ill or have suffered serious injury. Each episode will not only deliver a carefully crafted mix of human and animal interest stories, but will also feature a variety of animals that undergo elective procedures to longterm treatments involving the most intricate and technologically advanced surgery.

Viewers will be treated to the behind-the-scenes action of the veterinary surgery and will also get a sneak peak into the life of this handsome, intelligent and empathetic vet.

David Mott, chief programming officer, Network Ten said, “We are thrilled to have commissioned Bondi Vet, which expands our ever growing factual program catalogue and presents a fresh outlook on animal shows.

“We are also delighted to welcome Dr. Chris to the TEN family. His warmth, charisma and charm are undeniable as the cameras capture his every move while he goes about his daily life as an animal doctor in a busy urban suburb.”

WTFN’s director of production, Steve Oemcke said, “We have worked with Dr. Chris for over three years now.

We love his compassion, intelligence and sense of humour. We’re certain that the whole of Australia will feel the same.”

Bondi Vet will be shot and produced in High Definition by WTFN Entertainment, which is best known for lifestyle programs including Talk to the Animals, Bread, Coxy’s Big Break and Shopping For Love.

RSPCA joins the fight against live animal exports

Special Message from RSPCA Australia President Lynne Bradshaw

RSPCA Australia has joined a global coalition of animal welfare organisations to demand an end to the long distance transport of animals for slaughter. In Australia, the Coalition’s main focus will be on ending the live export of sheep to the Middle East.

The Handle with Care campaign is a world-first alliance to send a clear message to industry and government that this inhumane and unnecessary trade will no longer be tolerated.The RSPCA has long argued that the export of live sheep, goats and cattle for slaughter is inhumane. Animals exported from Australia face a journey of up to 35 days from the farm-gate to their overseas destination. On the way they endure stress, heat exhaustion and extreme temperatures. Many suffer from disease and, every year, tens of thousands die along the way. Those that do survive are slaughtered in the most horrific way. Quite frankly, proponents of the industry have had long enough to address these serious issues and now it’s time for action. That’s why the RSPCA has joined forces with organisations including the World Society for Protection of Animals, Compassion in World Farming and Animals Australia in an unprecedented alliance to bring international attention to the trade.The campaign launch in Sydney was preceded by the release of a global report – Beyond Cruelty. Beyond Reason. Long Distance Transport and Welfare of Farm Animals (2008) – identifying Australia as a world leader in the cruel live export of animals for slaughter.This is no badge of honour. In fact, the findings in this report paint a very different picture to the one fashioned by the live export industry and the Rudd Government.As one of the world’s largest exporters in live animals for slaughter, the global spotlight is now on Australia to bring this cruel and unnecessary trade to an end.

Despite industry protestations, the trade is unnecessary. Australia already successfully exports chilled and frozen meat all over the world and has Halal-certified export abattoirs supplying Halal meat to the Middle East. There is tremendous opportunity for growth in this trade.

There is no need to export live animals for slaughter – as the Report states it is beyond cruelty and beyond reason. The Handle with Care Coalition has launched a call for action and is asking all Australians to register their opposition to live exports by visiting http://www.handlewithcare.tv/au.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Mrs Lynne Bradshaw
President
RSPCA Australia

Saving racehorses from the dinner table

It is a little known fact that after most racehorses have been retired, they are sold to abattoirs and end up either on the dinner table or in pet food. However, for the past 16 years Laura Stoikos has been saving these beautiful horses from the slaughterhouse and finding them new loving homes. Her organisation Cedar Springs Horses Inc has rehomed over 5000 ex-racehorses, all whom are re-educated and retrained. Needless to say, this is not a cheap exercise, so please go and pay them a visit and either buy some merchandise or give a donation towards this worthy cause.

What tastes good to you may kill your pet

There is nothing more delicious than chocolate, but the chemical theobromine that makes chocolate taste so good is lethal to dogs and cats. Even the smallest amount of chocolate can result in hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeats, seizures and death. Baking chocolate, cocca powder and dark chocolate are the most lethal forms of chocolate as they contain more theobromine than milk chocolate. If your pet does eat some chocolate, get them to the vet as soon as possible.

Other foods that taste great to us, but are lethal to our pets are;

Onions

Onions cause hemolytic anemia, which means that the red blood cells break down leaving the dog short of oxygen. Onion poisoning can occur with a single ingestion of large quantities or with repeated meals containing small amounts of onion. The poisoning may occur a few days after the dog has eaten onions. Pets affected by onion poisoning show gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea, weakness and show little or no interest in food. They will then experience shortness of breath because the red blood cells that carry oxygen through the body are reduced in number. Other symptoms are elevated body temperature, confusion, and increased heart rate. Seek veterinary care immediately.

Grapes or Raisins
Although the minimum lethal dosage is not known, grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs and cats when ingested in large quantities. The symptoms are gastrointestinal signs including vomiting and diarrhea, and then signs of kidney failure starting about 24 hours after ingestion.

Corn Cobs
Many pets have suffered and, in some cases, died after eating corn-on-the-cob, because the corn cob caused a partial or complete intestinal obstruction. Never allow your pet access to corn cobs.

Caffeine
Beverages with caffeine like soft drinks, tea and coffee act as a stimulant and can accelerate your pet’s heartbeat to a dangerous level. Pets ingesting caffeine have been known to have seizures, which can be fatal.

Tobacco Products
Cigarettes and cigarette butts, cigars, pipe tobacco, nicotine patches, nicotine gum and chewing tobacco can be fatal to pets if ingested. Signs of nicotine poisoning can appear within an hour and include hyperactivity, salivation, panting, vomiting and diarrhea. Advanced signs include muscle weakness, twitching, collapse, coma, increased heart rate and cardiac arrest.

Alcohol
Do not give your pet sips of any alcoholic beverage. Ingestion can lead to injury, disorientation, sickness, urination problems or even coma or death from alcohol poisoning.

Bones
Cooked bones can be very hazardous for your pet. Bones become brittle when cooked which causes them to splinter. The splinters have sharp edges that have been known to become stuck in the teeth, caused choking when caught in the throat or caused a rupture or puncture of the stomach lining or intestinal tract. However, raw meaty bones are extremely good for your pet and act as a toothbrush getting rid of built up plaque. You should always monitor your pet when they are eating raw bones to ensure they that don’t swallow large pieces of bone which could cause obstruction of the bowel.

If you are unsure of whether a food may cause problems, then do not give it to your pet. There are many treats that are safe for both dogs and cats available at your local pet store, vet clinic and supermarket and only these plus their regular food should be given.