Welcome to Impulse Gamer Katrina... How did you become involved in the Amazing Spider-man release?

I was approached by the PR team working for The Amazing Spider-Man release in Australia and because of my veterinarian background. Also, the fact that we’re coming into summer and that Spider-Man was bitten by a spider led him to getting superpowers but this is not what happens in real life. We wanted to send the message to people that spiders are out and about now and you have to be aware of them to keep safe.

What was your favourite part of the movie?

My favourite part of the film is when Peter Parker begins to morph into Spider-Man due to the spider bite. Seeing him morph into Spider-Man is what makes the film.

Although spiders don't give people superpowers, what are Australia's most dangerous spiders?

The two most dangerous and famous spiders are the funnel web spider and the Red Back. The white tail spider comes in after these but there is a lot of controversy about this spider. The funnel web has been responsible for 13 deaths but since the anti-venom was brought out in the 80’s, there have been no recent deaths.

Is it true that daddy Long-legs spiders (aka Pholcidae) are one of the most venomous spiders in Australia?

It is a bit of a myth that daddy long legs are venomous, they have such a small amount of venom that it wouldn't really hurt a human.  In fact their fangs are so small that they can't even get through the epidermis.

Daddy long legs are actually good to keep around the house as they have been known to eat the more dangerous Red Back spider.

Interestingly enough spider venom effects different creatures differently. The funnel web spider affects humans, primates and insects. It doesn’t have the same effect on other animals which is really interesting. Different venoms react differently with different species.

In your Tips & Facts for Spider Dangers, you've mentioned what humans should do if bitten... what about dogs?

Generally, spider venom is not as serious for dogs and cats but it can effect them and should still be taken seriously. The problem is when a dog or cat is bitten around the mouth or throat area, it can cause serious swelling, whether from a spider or bee.

The best thing to do is prevention such as clearing out rubbish from under your deck to prevent red backs and to be really conscience that spiders may live in these areas. In relation to pets, if you can get a picture of the spider on your iPhone that may have bitten your pet, it helps the vet identify the cause. Red backs seem to cause more problems for pets than funnel webs as they like to live in similar environments such as humans.

What are some of your tips to keep Spiders out of the house?

If you have a lot of spiders that come into the house, you can use those door blockers if lots of spiders come under the doors. Keeping all your awnings and back decks clean and clear of spiders and getting rid of rubbish like timber where red backs like live also helps. You should be aware that funnel webs love moisture and like living under logs and rocks in backyards. The male funnel web which are more venomous than females and when they are looking for a mate can be a problem. Since they don’t like daylight because they dry out, they are more likely to climb into your shoes to stay out of the light. So if you leave your shoes outside, make sure you check them in the mornings.

How do spiders stay alive in swimming pools for so long?

They can stay alive for up to 30 hours in a swimming pool and they trap air with them. Eventually they will die but they can’t swim or jump once in the water. Interestingly enough funnel webs can’t jump. It's only just a rumour but some people have said they can jump quite far.I would hate to see them jump if they could.

Where are funnel webs located in Australia?

They are Australia wide and there are 40 species of funnel webs that are found in all states but Western Australia. A couple of states also have funnel webs that live in trees.

Are funnel webs that are found in Victoria or South Australia also venomous?

As far as I know, they are all venomous but the Sydney funnel web is known for being super deadly.

Off the topic of spiders, what is your favourite animal and why?

For me, I can’t go past a dog as my favourite animal just because they make great companions. It would also be a border collie because I had my border collie for 14 years and he was human-like in his thought process and was the most amazing companion. "Besides, they’re always happy to see you and never talk back <laughs Katrina>. There’s never a bad day with a dog and they always make you smile.

How is Riley, the Golden Retriever you rescued and adopted doing now?

He’s sleeping right beside me now and he’s amazing. His spirit to love and trust humans again after being treated so badly is outstanding. He’s a beautiful dog and I’m very glad I found another beautiful dog. He is also a very different experience as a rescue, whereas I raised Toby from a puppy who I also worked and travelled with. They are both beautiful and I can’t imagine life without a dog.

Were there any issues with your cat Mr Fox and Riley meeting for the first time?

Because I had the cat first, I thought he would not like Riley initially but within an hour, he was following the dog around everywhere. He’s the most amazing cat and he's a Maine Coot. They’re really big and hairy. He’s a high personality cat so no issues at all, they’re great mates.

We’ve noticed that some dogs seem to dislike certain people, what do you think triggers this?

It’s often an experience that they had as a puppy such as not being socialised to that kind of person who looks in that manner, walks in that manner or smells in that manner. So, the more you can socialise when their up to six months of age, the better. The idea is for your dog to come into contact with as many different people as possible.

What about dogs that chase birds? We have a naughty 3-year old heeler cross called Ruby who love barking at anything that gets in her air space.

Unfortunately it becomes a habit, the bird flies in, the dog barks, chases it and the bird flies away. Then the dog goes, this was really fun and it worked. It can become really difficult to address with older dogs but the idea is to nip it in the bud when they're puppies. For example, I was in Centennial Park once and Toby was 5 months old and he saw birds and chased them. It was terrifying as he ran across roads but for the next 2 weeks, I sat in Centennial Park with treats and every time the birds went past, I made him watch me and every time he ignored the birds, he was rewarded. That’s the kind of thing you need to do. You need to sit there, birds come and reward her for watching you but the reality is, your not home during the day which makes it hard to control.

We loved your book Wonderdogs with Kelly Gill, do you have any more books planned?

I did a cat one many years ago, including a pet name one but that is the main one at the moment.

As a vet, what was your biggest challenge?

Euthanasia without a doubt. When it’s time to end someone’s pets life. It’s the most heart-wrenching thing that you could do and it’s the reason I didn’t stay working in a Veterinary Practice because I couldn’t handle it. The first three cases when I graduated from uni in a row were Euthanasia's and it was heart breaking. That’s the hardest part of it and I understand how much those pets were part of someone’s life.

Was that one of the reasons why you started a memorable websites for pets (www.ourwonderfulpets.com)?

Totally! When Toby passed away, I had an outpouring of support from the Australian community which lead me to starting up my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/drkatrinawarren). The more I researched it, there was very little pet support sites or references for vets to send people who have lost pets. There was nowhere for them to say, this thing is going to happen to you or where very sorry about your pet, here’s some help… there was nothing. So I ended up setting up Our Wonderful Pets which is a very sad topic but it’s very nice to be able to help people who have lost a pet and have some comfort.

When a person passes away, people gather around and they understand there’s grief which leads to a funeral and a purpose. It’s a sense of closure. But when your pet dies, you don’t get that. Then you get some people who understand but others saying have you replaced Toby yet? I still get that today. I’m like, I can’t replace him, I’ll never replace him and some people don’t understand. It’s a lonely journey when a pet dies, especially for people who live on their own. That pet is there family which can be devastating for them. And then we get more pets and go through it all again!

It is a great resource though.... Besides your radio show, websites and books, what other things are you up to?

I just seem to be super busy and I do a lot of work with the Wonderdogs with public appearances and events. We talk about pets and educating families. And life in general keeps me busy.

Thanks for your time Katrina and enjoy The Amazing Spider-Man again but before we go... any last words of wisdom for dog lovers?

Just be aware of the commitment of a dog and remember that a dog can live up to 18 years and when you embark on that journey with a puppy, it’s going to be a long process. There are some people that get puppies but don’t know what’s involved.

Thanks for the interview!