Ho Ho Ho. In this special edition Mark and Brendan spread some Christmas cheer. Each of us review items for use over the holiday period - some veterinary based and some not.

In news we talk about the world's heaviest flying bird and a fossil named after Darth Vader.

Looking for some new equipment to spice up your practice? Then consider the great fold-away and portable Buster ICU enclosure, which will pay for itself in no time. Or keep your patients toasty with the aptly named HotDog pet warming system. The Rycom non-contact clinical thermometer is a useful temperature measurement gadget that Mark uses - 5.9/10.

Suprelorin (deslorelin) implants are reviewed by Mark, as well as bird foraging video.

Tired of vet life and need something to take your mind off work? Look no further than the intriguing documentary about Vivian Maier. It's a great true mystery documentary about a street photographer and excellent viewing even for those with little interest in photography, as it is also about the human condition and is very poignant. 9.2 out of 10 From Brendan.

A novel to read over the Christmas break is Artemis. It is a science fiction novel set on the moon by the author of The Martian, which was made into a film starring Matt Damon. Artemis is the story of Jazz, a small time smuggler on the moon and her adventures. A fun, fast paced, easy to read novel perfect for the post Christmas period, recommended by Brendan. Or consider the book The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, a thought provoking read for the holiday period.

A non-fiction text to consider is the Avian Anatomy, Textbook and colour atlas. This second edition text is a high quality production

For some Christmas cheer consider a beer from the Grand Ridge Brewery, located in Mirboo North, east of Melbourne, Australia in the Gippsland region.

Links:

Hot Dog Veterinary Patient warming system

Kruuse Buster ICU enclosure: A PDF detailing the enclosure can be found here; It can be purchased in Australia from various suppliers including Sound Veterinary Supplies

Foraging for birds

Suprelorin (deslorelin) implants information for ferrets here

The Finding Vivian Maier movie is listed on IMDB. The official movie trailer is on YouTube. You can view many of her amazing street photos on the official website vivianmaier.com

Artemis novel by Andy Weir, the author of The Martian.

Avian anatomy textbook and colour Atlas

Grand Ridge Brewery