Research and Publications

Whitehead, M.L., Hoehfurtner, T., Wilkinson, A., Burman, O. & Collins, L. (2024). An internet survey of UK pet-reptile owners. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2024, Birmingham, p99.

Perkins, R., Barron, L., Glauser G., Whitehead, M., Woodward, G. & Goulson, D. (2024) Down-the-drain pathways for fipronil and imidacloprid applied as spot-on parasiticides to dogs: Estimating aquatic pollution. Science of the Total Environment 917:170175.  Doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170175.

Whitehead, M.L. (2022) How many exotic pets are kept in the UK?  Estimates from survey data.  Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2022, Aston, p55. 

Rowland, H., Holding, E., Falces, P.M., Wissink-Argilaga, N, Stidworthy, M.F. et al.  (2021). Canine coronavirus subtype 2a associated with outbreaks of fatal diarrhoea in bush dog (Speothos vanticus) groups.  Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde 164(10):661-671.  Doi: 10.17236/sat00320

Whitehead, M.L. (2021) Euthanasia of birds and reptiles by oral gavage of pentobarbitone.  Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, September 2021, session 4.

Perkins, R., Whitehead, M.L. & Goulson, D. (2021) Dead in the water:  comment on “Development of an aquatic exposure assessment model for imidacloprid in sewage treatment plant discharges arising from use of veterinary medicinal products” Environmental Sciences Europe 33:88.  Doi: 10.1186/s12302-021-00533-8

Perkins, R., Whitehead, M.L., Civil, W. & Goulson, D. (2021) Potential role of veterinary flea products in widespread pesticide contamination of English rivers.  Science of the Total Environment 755(1):143560.  Doi:  10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143560

Whalley, K. & Whitehead, M.L. (2020). Use of an ATP bioluminescence meter to quantify and monitor practice cleanliness.  Proceedings of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, April 2020, Birmingham, p433.

Whitehead, M.L. (2020).  Benchmarking antibiotic prescribing by individual veterinary surgeons within a practice.  Proceedings of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, April 2020, Birmingham, p433.

Whitehead, M.L. (2019). The Animal Welfare Act, snakes and enclosure size: The long and the short of it. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2019, Manchester, p106.

Whitehead, M.L. (2019). Geographical distribution of Mycobacterium bovis genotypes: Implications for TB control in British cattle and badgers. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2019, Manchester, p94.

Whitehead, M.L., Hoehfurtner, T., Wilkinson, A., Burman, O. & Collins, L. (2018). UK veterinary surgeons’ assessment of owners’ basic husbandry for pet reptiles as reported in consults. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2018, Birmingham, p55.  (Also presented at ICARE - International Conference on Avian Herpetological & Exotic Mammal Medicine, London April/May 2019, abstract 0216, p200.)

Whitehead, M.L., Hoehfurtner, T., Wilkinson, A., Burman, O. & Collins, L. (2018). UK veterinary surgeons’ opinion on whether reptiles can experience various forms of suffering. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2018, Birmingham, p95.

Whitehead, M.L. (2017). Serum vitamin D3 in captive reptiles. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, October 2017, London, p20.  (Also presented at ICARE - International Conference on Avian Herpetological & Exotic Mammal Medicine, London April/May 2019, abstract 0135, p367.)

Whitehead, M.L., Hoehfurtner, T., Wilkinson, A., Burman, O. & Collins, L. (2017). Reptile pets at the vets:  The most common species presenting, presenting signs and diagnoses. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, October 2017, London, p105.  (Also presented at ICARE - International Conference on Avian Herpetological & Exotic Mammal Medicine, London April/May 2019, abstract 0215, p199.)

Whitehead, M.L., Foggett, S. (2016). UV lighting, dietary vitamin D3, and serum 25(OH)D in crocodilians and iguanas. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, September 2016, Oxford, p20.  (Also presented at ICARE - International Conference on Avian Herpetological & Exotic Mammal Medicine, London April/May 2019, abstract 0133, p366.)

Whitehead, M.L., Wilkinson, A., Hoehfurtner, T., Burman, O., Collins, L. (2016). UK vets' opinions on keeping captive-bred and wild-caught reptiles as pets. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, September 2016, Oxford, p71.  Also, Proceedings of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, April 2017, Birmingham, p550.

Whitehead, M.L., Vaughn-Jones, C. (2015) Suitability of species kept as pets. Veterinary Record 177(22):573-574.

Whitehead, M.L., Pinborough, M. (2013). Haematology and biochemistry of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus). Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, March 2013, Cambridge, p17.

Whitehead, M.L. (2008). Risk of pyometra in bitches treated for mismating with low doses of oestradiol benzoate. Veterinary Record 162:746-749.

Whitehead, M.L., Wissink-Argilaga, N. & Kettlewell, P. (2023) Radioioidine treatment of presumptive hyperthyroidism in a Pueblan milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli).  Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2023, Aston, p94.

Whitehead, M.L., Stidworthy, M., Wissink-Argilaga, N. (2022) Fenbendazole toxicity in birds:  Case report in Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) and overview.  Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2022, Aston, p3. 

Whitehead, M.L. & Reid S.A. (2018).  Oviduct intussusception in a spur-thigh tortoise (Testudo graeca) and a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps).  Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society Meeting, November 2018, Birmingham, p. 72.  (Also presented at ICARE - International Conference on Avian Herpetological & Exotic Mammal Medicine, London April/May 2019, abstract 0132, p182.)

Villar-Ibanez, J., Kettlewell, P., Whitehead M.L., Sebater-Gonzalez, M. (2019) Management of urolithiasis in a ground cuscus (Phalanger gymnotis).  ICARE - International Conference on Avian Herpetological & Exotic Mammal Medicine, London April/May 2019, abstract 0397, p384.

Brown, G.W., Kalff, S., Parry, A., Whitehead, M., McKee, W.M. (2013). Avulsion fragmentaton of the tibial tuberosity apophysis and associated patellar tendon enthesiopathy in a skeletally immature dog. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 26(3):242-247.

Aylmer, P.S.A. (2013). Investigation and treatment of an abdominal mass in a tiger. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, March 2013, Cambridge, p16.

Whitehead, M.L., Kettlewell, P.W., Koterwas, B. (2012). Elevated serum gamma-glutamyl transferase associated with canine renal adenocarcinoma. Veterinary Record 170(14):362.

Kettlewell, P.W. (2012). Surgical management of recurrent colic in a Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris). Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2012, Edinburgh, p. 21.

Whitehead, M.L., Kettlewell, P.W. (2010). Nasal, sinus and orbital aspergillosis in a cat. Control & Therapy 261:40-41.

Whitehead, M.L. (2009). Urinary capillariosis in a cat in the UK. Veterinary Record 165(25):757.

Stidworthy, M.F., Whitehead, M.L., Aylmer, P.S., Keane, S.G., Malnick, H. (2006). Streptobacillus moniliformis ("rat bite fever") endocarditis in two barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2006, Bristol, p. 80.

Whitehead, M.L. (2024) Emergency care of injured wild deer: advice for companion animal practices.  In Practice 46(8), 432-443.

Whitehead, M.L. (2023) Responsible antimicrobial usage in small animal practice (ch. 17).  In: Infection Control in Small Animal Clinical Practice.  Eds: Allerton F. & Bowlt Blacklock K.  CABI Digital Library, pp 288-318.  Doi: 10.1079/9781789244977.0017 

Whitehead, M.L. (2023) Do routine, elective gonadectomies really increase dogs’ lifespan? Veterinary Practice News, 35(4), April 2023, 30-31.   

Jessop, M., Pilny, A., Warwick, C. & Whitehead, M.L. (2023) Evidential thresholds for species suitability in captivity (ch. 16).  In: Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles, 2nd ed.  Eds: Warwick C., Arena P.C., & Burghardt G.M.  Springer Nature, Switzerland, pp 509-534.  Doi:  10.1007/978-3-030-86012-7_16 

Whitehead, M.L. (2022) Pheasants and red-legged partridges in Britain – how many are there and what are their fates?  Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2022, Aston, p37. 

Whitehead, M.L., Perkins, R. (2022) Responsible usage of ectoparasiticides in small animal practice.  BSAVA Companion, Sept 2022, 20-25.

Whitehead, M.L. (2021) Fipronil and imidacloprid in UK waterways – the role of dog & cat ectoparasiticides.  Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, September 2021, session 2.

Hedley, J., Whitehead, M.L., Munns, C., Pellett, S., Abou-Zahr, T., Calvo Carrasco, D. & Wissink-Argilaga, N. (2021) Antibiotic stewardship for reptiles. Journal of Small Animal Practice 62(10):829-839.  Doi: 10.1111/jsap.13402

Warwick, C., Grant, R., Steedman, C., Howell, T.J., Arena, P.C., Lambiris, A.J.L., Nash, A-E., Jessop, M., Pilny, A., Amarello, M., Gorzula, S., Spain, M., Walton, A., Nicholas, E., Mancera, K., Whitehead, M., Martinez-Silvestre, A., Cadenas, V., Whittaker, A. & Wilson, A. (2021).  Getting it straight:  Accomodating rectilinear behaviour in captive snakes - a review of recommendations and their evidence base.  Animals 11,1459.  Doi:  10.3390/ani11051459

Whitehead, M.L. (2019).  Exotic animal welfare:  Where are we now?  ICARE - International Conference on Avian Herpetological & Exotic Mammal Medicine, London April/May 2019.

Whitehead, M.L., Chambers, D., Lees, P. & Toutain, P-L. (2019).  The UK veterinary profession’s response to antimicrobial resistance.  Regulatory Rapporteur 16(3):10-12.

Whitehead, M.L. (2018).  Periodontal disease, calculus, tooth fractures and periapical disease in wild, zoo, feral and domesticated carnivores.  Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society Meeting, November 2018, Birmingham, p. 51.

Hedley, J., Wissink-Argilaga, N., Whitehead, M.L., Munns, C., Pellett, S., Abou-Zahr, T. & Calvo, D. (2018).  Antibiotic usage in reptiles.  Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2018, Birmingham, p58.

Whitehead, M.L., Lees, P. & Toutain, P-L. (2018) Veterinary homeopathy regulation in the UK - a cause for concern.  Regulatory Rapporteur 15(11):21-24.

Whitehead, M.L. (2018) Factors contributing to poor welfare of pet reptiles.  Testudo 8(5):47-61.

Lees, P., Chambers, D., Pelligand, L., Toutain, P-L., Whiting, M. & Whitehead, M.L. (2017)  Homeopathy in animals:  Yesterday and today … but tomorrow?  International Animal Health Journal 4(4):30-34.

Whitehead, M.L. (2017). Factors affecting the likelihood that pet species’ welfare needs will be met. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, October 2017, London, p64.

Lees, P., Chambers, D., Pelligand, L., Toutain, P-L., Whiting, M. & Whitehead, M.L. (2017)  Comparison of veterinary drugs and veterinary homeopathy:  part 1. Veterinary Record 181:170-176.  Doi: 10.1136/vr.104278

Lees, P., Chambers, D., Pelligand, L., Toutain, P-L., Whiting, M. & Whitehead, M.L. (2017)  Comparison of veterinary drugs and veterinary homeopathy:  part 2. Veterinary Record 181:198-207.  Doi: 10.1136/vr.104279

Whitehead, M.L. (2017). Human psychological and sociological factors influencing the suitability of species to be pets.  Proceedings of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, April 2017, Birmingham, p550.

Burman, O.H.P., Collins, L.M., Hoehfurtner, T., Whitehead, M. & Wilkinson, A. (2016) Cold-blooded care: Understanding reptile care and implications for their welfare. Testudo 8(3):83-86.

Whitehead, M.L., Canfield, P.J, Johnson, R., O'Brien, C.R., Malik, R. (2016) Case-based clinical reasoning in feline medicine 3: Use of heuristics and illness scripts. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery18(5):418-426.

Canfield, P.J., Whitehead, M.L., Johnson, R., O'Brien, C.R., Malik, R. (2016) Case-based clinical reasoning in feline medicine 2: Managing cognitive error.Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 18(3):240-247.

Canfield, P.J., Whitehead, M.L., Johnson, R., O'Brien, C.R., Malik, R. (2016) Case-based clinical reasoning in feline medicine 1: Intuitive and analytic systems. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 18(1):35-45.

Whitehead, M.L. (2016) Welfare of pet reptiles. BSAVA Companion Jan 2016: 26-27.

Whitehead, M.L.(2015). The Animal Welfare Act (2006) as it applies to traditional and 'exotic' pets: Intention and practice. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2015, Bristol Zoo, p48.

Chitty, J., Barrows, M., Feltrer, Y., Flach, E., Grilo, M., Justice, W., Sayers, G., Thornton, S. & Whitehead, M. (2015). A Review of Avian Malaria in Penguins in UK Zoos. In N. Chai, M. Huynh, C. Pignon & L. Schilliger (Eds.).  Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Avian Herpetological and Exotic Mammal Medicine (ICARE) p.263. Paris, France.

Whitehead, M.L. (2015). "80% of entire female rabbits get uterine adenocarcinoma." A case report of a veterinary factoid. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, March 2015, Loughborough University, p37.

Whitehead, M.L., Roberts, V. (2014). Backyard poultry: legislation, zoonoses and disease prevention. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 55(10):487-496.

Whitehead, M.L. (2014). Regulations regarding prescribing and permitted procedures for backyard poultry. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, November 2014, Lancaster University, p36.

Whitehead, M.L. (2014). Pet reptile welfare and positive lists. Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society meeting, March 2014, Marwell Zoo, p32.

Malik, R., O'Brien, C., Whitehead, M. (2010). The fight against some formidable fungal foes. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 12:669-671.