From Appetite to Alsatians!

We know dogs are a man's best friend, but do they have more in common with us than we realise? Dogs can experience a range of neurological problems, some of which are very similar to those in humans. At the Small Animal Teaching Hospital in Leahurst, we treat a variety of these conditions - from seizures and brain tumours, to dogs that can't walk and inflammation of the brain. Stef will shine a light on these problems and the treatment for our canine friends, along with the research happening at Leahurst to better the lives of man's best friend.

Kirstin is a Veterinary Surgeon based at the University of Liverpool. She will be sharing handy tips on how to choose a healthy pet that fits your lifestyle and budget - helping avoid the heartbreak of an unwell pet or a poor match. We'll be discussing life span and care needs for cats, dogs and more exotic pets, and how to make sure they're healthy before you bring them home.

The need to eat is the most fundamental biological drive - even more so than reproduction, as you can't reproduce without enough energy! Nic's research aims to unravel the complex brain control of hunger and energy balance. Why do you feel hungry, and how can medicine target the brain to combat obesity and diabetes?

Surprisingly, there is a lot to learn from beetles, and there are more parallels to humans than you might imagine. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic the need to understand how parasites (e.g. viruses, bacteria, worms) spread through a population is more important than ever. So, what can insects tell us about parasite spread? And how can studying beetles and their parasites tell us anything about the way viruses move through human populations?