2026-01-05 – Weekly Veterinarian News : Venomous primate revealed

Last week in our veterinarian community, discussions ranged from practical clinical challenges to intriguing animal facts. Members shared experiences and sought advice on handling a post-holiday increase in canine respiratory issues, while others delved into the peculiarities of venomous primates. There was also plenty of interest in continuing education opportunities, particularly those focusing on hands-on skills for diagnosing lameness and monitoring anesthesia in reptiles. These conversations highlighted our shared commitment to professional growth and animal welfare.


This Week’s Hot Topics

Which primate is actually venomous
This intriguing discussion uncovers the surprising fact about a primate that possesses venom, challenging some common assumptions about these animals.
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Best hands-on lameness CE this spring
Veterinarians are exchanging recommendations for the most effective hands-on continuing education courses focusing on lameness, a crucial aspect of equine practice.
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Operative checklist and discharge templates
Members are sharing and refining templates for operative checklists and discharge instructions, aiming to enhance surgical outcomes and client communication.
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Which organ boosts PCV at gallop
A fascinating thread discusses the physiological adaptations in horses, particularly how certain organs can significantly impact performance during a gallop.
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Best CE for reptile anesthesia monitoring
For those specializing in exotic pets, this conversation highlights some top-notch continuing education options focused on reptile anesthesia.
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Heatwave prep for reptiles and rabbits
As temperatures rise, veterinarians are discussing best practices to ensure the welfare of reptiles and rabbits during heatwaves.
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Short pre-visit plan for fearful cats
A practical discussion on creating short pre-visit plans to ease the stress of veterinary visits for anxious feline patients.
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Rabbits can’t vomit — name another species
This engaging thread invites members to share knowledge about other species with similar anatomical quirks.
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Post-holiday spike in coughing dogs
Veterinarians are addressing a noticeable increase in coughing dogs post-holidays, discussing potential causes and management strategies.
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Which notifiable disease stops movement in hours
A critical discussion on a notifiable disease that can halt animal movement swiftly, emphasizing the importance of rapid diagnosis and response.
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Wishing you a productive and insightful week ahead as you continue your important work.

But seeing the post-holiday cough surge too; my quick win is a “rest, steam, separate” handout with a QR to same-day rechecks, and I ask owners to use a bathroom steam tent for 10 minutes twice daily — skip steam for brachycephalics or if breathing is labored. On the venomous primate thread, slow loris bites can trigger anaphylaxis, so we keep epinephrine ready and log exposures like “bee stings” in staff protocols.

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But i’ve been auto-texting a 60-second cough checklist before appointments — owners upload a quick cough video so we triage same-day vs 48-hr tele-recheck; it’s like speed-dating for coughs, and switching to harness-only walks helps more than folks expect, @derek_p88… I send this AVMA explainer so messaging is consistent: https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/kennel-cough-dogs, and if there’s honking plus lethargy I skip home steam and have them come straight.

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@lthomas87 I tuck a tiny QR card in the retainer case linking to a 30‑sec “when to cut back wear” video and tell patients to keep the case by their toothbrush so it’s automatic — like a seatbelt for teeth. I’ve found post-rotation or diastema cases still need indefinite nightly wear, even if it feels loose for a week. If handouts vanish, a Sunday text reminder nabs the stragglers.

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We set up a curbside “cough lane” with a tech doing 5‑minute drive‑up swabs and a one‑pager on “isolate, soft walks, saline neb if available” — kept the lobby clean and felt like a pit stop. Early antigen tests have been shaky, so if signs are classic we pair PCR with a 48‑hour tele‑recheck. And on the venomous primate thread, our wildlife intake now flags “slow loris — gloves on, no bites.”.

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