Vet Times Podcast

Rabbits are still the UK’s third most popular pet, and the past few years have finally brought an increase in much-needed, dedicated research and product development. But there’s still work to do on the basics, as John Chitty discusses in this Vet Times Podcast. ____________________ John Chitty qualified from the RVC in 1990 and gained an RCVS Certificate in Zoological Medicine in 2000. He is director of a small animal and exotics practice, Anton Vets, in Hampshire, with a 100% exotics and zoo caseload. John is editor and author of four texts on avian/rabbit/tortoise medicine, author of various book chapters and papers, and is a past-president of the European Association of Avian Veterinarians. He has written the article “Preventive health care in rabbits”, which appeared in Vet Times (Volume 51, Issue 32, Pages 8-10), which reviews care of the species and how vets can help owners improve their pets’ welfare. The article is available online at vettimes.co.uk at https://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/preventi

August’s VN Happy Hour – sponsored by Bought By Many – was all about behaviour, and how VNs can support owners of pets with behavioural problems and the importance of “fear free” methods for handling pets in a clinical setting. Whether you weren’t able to join us on the 26 August or simply want to listen to our fantastic guest speakers again, we have you covered. This month we were joined by RVNs Linda Ryan, Elle Boden and Zoe Blake, who expertly answered delegates’ behaviour-related questions. Zoom threw some technical gremlins our way, so we apologise for the drop in audio during the panel session. Linda, Elle and Zoe are happy for you to contact them via their social media channels should you want to speak to them in more detail about their answers. There were so many great resources mentioned on the night, so here they all are for you to look through: LC Fitness www.instagram.com/lauracopley7 Inspiring Pet Teaching www.inspiringpets.com Inspiring Pet Teaching FB page www.facebook.com/InspiringPets

Sustainability has been the theme of Jo Oakden’s year as president of the BVNA – and this increasingly important topic dominates the agenda for BVNA Congress, which returns to Telford International Centre from 2 to 4 October following its hiatus last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.   In this special episode of the VN Times Podcast, Jo explains why she chose sustainability as her theme, how the four pillars – human, social, economic and environmental – are equally important in ensuring a sustainable veterinary profession, and what she hopes delegates take away from congress.   BIOGRAPHY Since graduating from the RVC in 2008, Jo has worked in a variety of small animal and mixed veterinary practice. She has also completed the Certificate in Feline Nursing, and the Certificate in Canine and Feline Veterinary Nutrition.   Jo has worked with the BVNA as a regional co-ordinator since 2014 and was elected on to BVNA council in 2017. She is the BVNA president for 2020-21.   Outside of the BVNA, Jo joined VetPart

A two-month campaign by the BVNA is aiming to create a better environment for – and a better understanding of – the challenges faced by veterinary nurses who suffer from a chronic illness or condition. The campaign is being led by BVNA junior vice-president Alex Taylor, who joined the VN Times Podcast to discuss its objectives – chief of which is the creation of a digital toolkit to support VNs, and help practices in developing protocols and supporting their staff. BIOGRAPHY Alex Taylor qualified as a nurse in 1997 and has worked in both first opinion and referral practice. She is especially interested in feline nursing and has completed the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) feline nursing certificate and diploma, as well as the ISFM Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour. Alex works as a locum RVN and runs her own company, The Cat Nurse, where she offers CPD about feline nursing and behaviour. She also volunteers for her local Cats Protection branch. A BVNA council member since October 20

In this edition of the VBJ First Opinions podcast, editor James Westgate discusses technology and the way it has impacted on the UK veterinary sector – with a particular focus on how it helped transform the way veterinary professionals worked throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and how those changes may impact on the future of veterinary practice. On the line with him is Paul May, digital product manager at MWI Animal Health UK, provider of innovative animal health solutions to veterinary practices across the United Kingdom.

In this special Vet Times podcast, we celebrate 60 years at the forefront of veterinary medicine with the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA). Congress Times editor Tom Jackson speaks to BEVA chief executive David Mountford about key moments in the organisation’s history and what the future holds for one of the world’s most prominent equine veterinary associations.

If you haven’t attended one of our VN Happy Hour virtual events yet, you’re missing out. It’s a “power hour” packed with fun, laughter, top tips, prizes, and talks with fantastic and talented panellists. This month we were joined by RVNs Claire Harrison, Claire Bloor and Nicola Lakeman, each of whom expertly answered a number of dentistry-related questions submitted by delegates.

In this episode, Vet Times editor James Westgate discusses the work of the WSAVA Oncology Working Group, formed to raise awareness of the latest thinking in cancer therapy and promote best practice globally. The committee’s team of expert members is currently working to develop a set of easy-to-use, accessible global guidelines for veterinary oncology practice, as well as practical, user-friendly tools for use by vets to enhance standards of treatment and educate owners about cancer in pets. Joining James are working group members Nick Bacon – an RCVS-recognised specialist in small animal surgery (oncology) and a European specialist in small animal surgery (oncology) – and former WSAVA president Jolle Kirpensteijn, past-president of the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology. Further information on the group can be found at https://wsava.org/committees/oncology-working-group/

Life as a farm vet can be challenging, invigorating and ultimately very satisfying, with good communication extremely important. Owen Atkinson, a farm vet and consultant, rejoins the podcast to offer insight into communicating with farm clients – and explains the magic question game (see his article, Coaching skills for farm vets, at https://bit.ly/3y7kqMu). Owen Atkinson is a farm vet and worked in practice for more than 20 years before establishing Dairy Veterinary Consultancy in 2013. He provides advice and training for all types of dairy and veterinary businesses. He has a passion for farmer-vet communications and leading effective change. He has developed his expertise in coaching and facilitation, undertaking a postgraduate diploma through Aberysthwyth University, and enjoys working with people and teams just as much as with cows and calves. He can be contacted at owen@dairyveterinaryconsultancy.co.uk

Where can your veterinary nursing skills take you? In this month’s VN Happy Hour, the team will be exploring all the angles and showcasing the diverse range of careers and lifestyles on offer to the UK’s “green army” of veterinary nursing professionals. In this episode we hear Belinda Andrews-Jones, Luke Frewin and Fraje Watson answering questions posed by the people that matter – you and your peers.

Welcome to the second part of “Bridging the Gap’ – a special two-part VBJ First Opinions podcast in association with the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS). Recorded as part of an ongoing initiative to highlight the benefits of SPVS membership for those just starting out on their careers, the first episode focused on some of the barriers to career progression and diversification that face young vets. This second instalment takes a look at some of the solutions and how SPVS can help vets at all stages in their careers across a range of issues – from EMS and emerging technologies to leadership and legals.

In this podcast we are talking epilepsy, with veterinary neurology experts Simon Platt and Laurent Garosi. We will be chatting to them about when to treat epilepsy in dogs, what with and how to monitor patients effectively. ______________ Laurent Garosi is an RCVS and European Board of Veterinary Specialisation specialist in veterinary neurology and fellow of the RCVS for meritorious contribution to clinical practice. After creating and heading the neurology/neurosurgery service at large referral practice in Hertfordshire for 14 years, Dr Garosi joined CVS Referrals in March 2019. He is currently clinical director of Vet Oracle Teleradiology, offering neuroimaging report worldwide. Dr Garosi has overall clinical responsibility of the clinical neurology services across the CVS referral network as well as being learning and development neurology stream leader. His main clinical and research interests are cerebrovascular diseases, neuro-imaging and feline neurology. Dr Garosi has published widely in the f

VN Times editor Rachael Buzzel is joined by RVN and manager of the Linnaeus Veterinary Nursing Post Registration Programme, Sophie Venables. The programme launched in early 2020, but Linnaeus had to think fast and adapt as COVID hit and the nation was thrust into its first national lockdown. Sophie talks us through the first year of the programme and how, though it was not what they expected, they have learned from it and plan for future cohorts. For more information on the programme and how to apply for the March 2022 cohort, email vetnurseprp@linnaeusgroup.co.uk or visit the Linnaeus website: https://www.linnaeusgroup.co.uk/nursing-post-registration-programme/ ––––––––––––– BIOGRAPHY During Sophie’s career she has worked as an RVN in a variety of clinical settings to cover primary care, charity and referral clinics. Throughout these roles, she has always had a passion for education and development of veterinary nurses. While working at Wear Referrals part time, Sophie  commuted to the University of Br

This podcast has been brought to you by Neptra – the only single-dose, vet-administered treatment available for acute otitis externa in dogs. Launched in 2020, Neptra is available to vets in the UK and is the number one selling treatment for acute otitis externa in the US, under the name Claro. In this episode, we speak to Kathryn Cuddy, an RCVS advanced practitioner in veterinary dermatology, on the subject of otitis externa, and particularly how it can affect the behaviour of a dog, making it difficult and even dangerous for owners to treat themselves at home. If you see otitis cases regularly in practice, there may be many owners thanking you tuning in. Kathryn Cuddy, MVB, CertAVP(VD), MRCVS, graduated from University College Dublin in 2011. She spent four years working in small animal practice in the UK before returning home to Ireland in 2015. Kathryn has always had a special interest in veterinary dermatology, and began further study in dermatology with the University of Liverpool in 2013. In 2016,

RVC emergency and critical care resident Dave Beeston BvetMed(Hons), PGDip(VCP), MRCVS, who has been charting his early veterinary career in Vet Times, provides some insight on first interviews in this Vet Times Jobs special podcast. This podcast and an accompanying article were previously available exclusively to job seekers who had completed their Vet Times Jobs Skills Match profiles. To find out more about the Skills Match service, visit https://bit.ly/3iCaYvt The article “Tips for approaching your first interview” was in the summer recruitment supplement (inside Vet Times Volume 51, Issue 25; 22 June 2021) and is online at https://careers.vettimes.co.uk/articles/approaching-your-first-interview/

Vet Ian Wright BVMS, BSc, MSc, MRCVS, co-owner of Mount Veterinary Practice in Lancashire, offers some pointers on what practices are look for from candidates at interview. This podcast and accompanying article were previously available exclusively to job seekers who had completed their Vet Times Jobs Skills Match profiles. To find out more about the Skills Match service, visit https://bit.ly/3iCaYvt The article “What do practices look for in prospective vets?” was in the summer recruitment supplement (inside Vet Times Volume 51 Issue 25; 22 June 2021) and is online at https://careers.vettimes.co.uk/articles/what-are-vet-practices-looking-for-in-prospective-new-vets/

Fiona Stephens, recruitment manager for Goddard Veterinary Group, answers some of your submitted questions about conducting yourself in interviews in this Q&A-style podcast. This podcast and accompanying article were previously available exclusively to job seekers who had completed their Vet Times Jobs Skills Match profiles. To find out more about the Skills Match service, visit https://bit.ly/3iCaYvt The article “Interview success: bringing out your best” was in the summer recruitment supplement (inside Vet Times Volume 51 Issue 25; 22 June 2021) and is online at https://careers.vettimes.co.uk/articles/interview-tips-how-to-bring-out-your-best/

Lameness in cats can create challenges for vets and owners. In this podcast, Karen Perry joins the Vet Times Podcast again to discuss the most commonly encountered conditions, diagnosis, research, surgery and long-term management. ––––––––––––––– Karen has written the Focus article in Vet Times (Volume 51, issue 16, Pages 6-10 – 20 April issue) “Pouncing on pain – managing feline orthopaedic conditions”, which can be found in full in the “Pain Management” collection, in the Companion Animal hub, on our CPD+ service. [https://bit.ly/3zW2tBQ] Within the article, Karen discusses two commonly encountered causes of lameness in cats – medial humeral epicondylitis and feline cranial cruciate ligament failure – and evaluates the experience and literature base used to direct diagnosis and treatment. ––––––––––––––– Karen graduated from The University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (R[D]SVS) in 2005. After a short period in mixed practice, she completed an internship in small animal orthop

Welcome to the first part of a special VBJ First Opinions podcast in association with SPVS – the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons. As part of an ongoing initiative to highlight the benefits of SPVS membership for those just starting out on their careers, VBJ editor James Westgate hosted a panel discussion featuring three younger vets and three SPVS board members with decades of experience between them. Called “Bridging the Gap’, these ground-breaking discussions form a two-part podcast series. This first part focuses on some of the barriers to career progression and diversification that face young vets and how SPVS can help overcome them, while the second instalment goes on to look at some of the solutions and how SPVS can help vets at all stages in their careers across a range of issues – from EMS and emerging technologies to leadership and legals. We’d like to thank Leigh-Anne Brown, Ben Sweeney and Vicki Farbon from SPVS as well as Holly Sutton, Nat Morris and Alice Varney for their time and t

On 27 May 2021, VN Happy Hour 5 – sponsored by AnimalCare – focused on the topic of senior pets. Hosted, as usual, by Vet Times editor James Westgate and VN Times editor Rachael Buzzel, the evening featured a lead interview with RVN Kirsty Cavill and an expert panel comprising Nicola Lakeman and Emma Gerrard.