Episode 38 – Create your community… in a flamingo onesie
In this week’s podcast episode we chat to the amazing Ebony Escalona. Ebony is passionate about building communities that count and chats about ‘Vets: Stay, Go, Diversify’ being created while wearing a flamingo onesie. In early 2017 Ebony founded a support group on Facebook for veterinary professionals who had become frustrated with their careers. The group was an immediate success, providing inspiration, guidance, mentorship and networking for those looking to remain satisfied in practice, diversify their careers or develop new skills outside the ordinary practice box. Ebony is passionate about building confidence in others and is a huge advocate of the ‘portfolio career’, simply put, doing the things you love and loving the things you do. This approach is perfectly illustrated through her own career path: Ebony has worked as an equine vet for many years, in clinical roles that ranged from primary to referral care as well as academic posts. She is also an educator and entrepreneur and previously worked in music television.
https://www.facebook.com/VetsSGD
In our clinical CPD segment we continue a series of discussions about the investigation of anaemia. This week we discuss the investigation and management of immune mediated haemolytic anaemia. We want to say a massive thank you to IDEXX for their support of this podcast episode.
Episode 37: Are you a horse riding, tea drinking, mother of one?
In this week’s podcast episode we chat to the amazing Hannah Olliff-Lee about horse riding, tea drinking and everything in between. Hannah has some amazing insights regarding practice culture and how to work together better as a team. Hannah is an RVN and has just obtained her physiotherapy diploma with the college of animal physiotherapy. Hannah started her nursing journey in 2012 and is extremely passionate about geriatric care, physiotherapy and veterinary leadership. Join Hannah for some honest advice and the odd Tick Tock on her nursing social media channel called @physio.rvn. Outside of nursing Hannah is a keen horse rider and carriage driver.
https://www.facebook.com/physio.rvn/
https://www.instagram.com/physio.rvn/
In our clinical CPD segment we continue a series of discussions about the investigation of anaemia. This week we discuss the causes of regenerative anaemia. We want to say a massive thank you to IDEXX for their support of this podcast.
Episode 36 – First friends, a perfect storm and the hunger games
In this week’s podcast episode we chat about everything from the hunger games to the investigation of anaemia! Ashley Wemple is a real veterinary nurse inspiration and a true friend. We chat to Ashley about her amazing career in veterinary nursing and some of the challenges that have faced the profession recently, particularly in out of hours practice. Ashley grew up in a small town in rural North Carolina. From there she moved to a slightly bigger part of the state to go to university at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC where she studied animal science and obtained a bachelor’s degree in that field in 2003. While studying, she started working nights at an ECC veterinary hospital and I developed a passion for ECC nursing and teaching. Ashley moved to the UK in 2008 to take a job as an ECC nurse at Vets Now Gateshead and has been there ever since (currently as Clinical Nursing Lead). Ashley earned her CertVNECC in 2010 and continue to tutor for that program, as well as other teaching and mentoring for IVC, Vets Now and the veterinary thought exchange.
In our clinical CPD segment we start a series of discussions about the investigation of anaemia. We want to say a massive thank you to IDEXX for their support of this podcast.
Episode 35 – How resistant are you?
In this week’s podcast episode we are talking all things antibiotic resistance with Doris-Ann and Marta this week. We are excited to bring together the best from the human and veterinary medical fields to talk about how we call all work together to tackle this important issue.
Doris-Ann Williams has been Chief Executive of BIVDA (British in Vitro Diagnostics Association) since October 2001. She has more than 30 years’ experience working in the in vitro diagnostics sector and has had a variety of experience. Doris-Ann works closely with MedTech Europe and other global IVD industry associations. She was awarded an MBE in January 2011 and was recognised as a Friend of the Royal College of Pathologists in November 2012.
Marta graduated in Portugal in 2001. She obtained a Masters in Medical Microbiology in 2007 and became a lecturer in clinical pathology and infectious diseases. In 2009 she moved to the UK to undertake a clinical pathology residency at the University of Bristol. During that time she obtained her FRCpath and ECVCP diploma. In November 2020 she started working at Idexx as a clinical pathologist and deputy head of microbiology. Marta’s special interests lie in the diagnosis of infectious diseases, antimicrobial sensitivity testing, biomarker use and development, and all that pertains to a microscope, where she finds beauty every day.
We want to say a massive thank you to IDEXX for their support of this podcast. For more information about IDEXX Microbiology go to www.idexx.co.uk/DMMicro and to discover more about local rates of antibiotic resistance go to www.petresist.com. Remember that their team of specialists are always on hand to chat about cases and particularly those challenging culture results.
Episode 34 – Being a Beterinarian
In this week’s podcast episode we are so excited to be speaking with Ashley and Kat. Dr. Ashley Bourgeois is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist passionate about providing practical knowledge to general practitioners to help itchy pets! She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 2014. She has a strong interest in autoimmune skin diseases, allergies, cytology, and otology. She and her husband stay busy with their daughter, son, and rescue Lab/Boxer/Pit mix. Dr. Bourgeois is passionate about educating veterinarians in dermatology and work/life integration through her podcast, lecturing, and social media presence (www.thedermvet.com / https://www.facebook.com/thedermvet / https://www.instagram.com/thedermvet)
We chat to Kat about the evolution of imaging – from film, to CR and then to DR. What does that all mean you ask… listen to find out! We talk about how can you best optimize radiography in your practice. After graduating from Portsmouth University with a Radiography degree in 1995, Kat originally worked in the NHS before moving into cross sectional imaging, travelling to various hospitals performing CT and MRI scans for humans. She then became the lead radiographer working for Vet MRI, the original mobile veterinary MRI service. Kat then worked at Fitzpatrick referrals for 2 years setting up the CT and MRI service there, before moving to BCF Technology (now IMV imaging) in 2010. We would like to say a massive thank you to IMV imaging for supporting our chat today.
https://www.imv-imaging.co.uk/products/veterinary-x-ray/
https://blog.imv-imaging.co.uk/blog/cranddrx-raytechnology
https://blog.imv-imaging.co.uk/blog/how-does-dr-x-ray-technology-work
Episode 33 – Paving your way and finding your space
In this week’s podcast episode we are joined by the amazing Hazell and Michelle from Vet Space Ireland and the brilliant Rob White. Vet Space Ireland (@vetspaceireland) was created by Michelle Maguire (@michellelouisem) and Hazell Mullins (@hazellmullins) to promote learning and positivity within the veterinary world. Both share a passion for all things veterinary, wellbeing and keeping up to date with veterinary current affairs in Ireland. Michelle and Hazell chat about their veterinary careers, their inspirations and those who paved the way. Hazell is a Nottingham graduate large animal vet based in Abbeyville Vet Hospital in Cork. Michelle is a vet nurse turned practice manager based in Arra Vets in Tipperary.
Rob is well-recognised as one of the UK’s leading experts in soft tissue surgery and has extensive experience in all aspects of small animal surgery. In 2002, was awarded the BSAVA Simon Award for outstanding contributions to both veterinary surgery and CPD. He was appointed as Professor of Small Animal Veterinary Surgery within the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in July 2015.
Vet Space Ireland – Entertain. Inform. Engage. Inspire.
The Vet Space Ireland Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Veterinary Thought Exchange – Homepage (vtx-cpd.com)
In our clinical CPD segment we finish off our discussion about the investigation and management of congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs and cats.
Episode 32 – Imperfectly Perfect
In this week’s podcast episode we are joined by the amazing Jenny Guyat and Rob White. Jenny is a vet, growth coach, entrepreneur, mindfulness advocate and the imperfect, messy mum behind Vet Harmony. In short she is a all round amazing human who spoke to us about everything from career diversification to being perfectly imperfect (https://www.vetharmony.co.uk/work-with-me/)
In our clinical CPD segment we chat about the investigation and management of congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs and cats. This is part one of this discussion, so make sure to join us in the next episode for the next instalment. Rob is well-recognised as one of the UK’s leading experts in soft tissue surgery and has extensive experience in all aspects of small animal surgery. In 2002, was awarded the BSAVA Simon Award for outstanding contributions to both veterinary surgery and CPD. He was appointed as Professor of Small Animal Veterinary Surgery within the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in July 2015.
Today’s podcast is kindly sponsored by Veterinary Instrumentation (https://veterinary-instrumentation.co.uk/) a global Animal Health care organisation, which has proudly served the industry for over three decades.
Episode 31 – Finding your voice
There was something special about the podcast this week. That special thing is Emily. Emily is the founder and creator of The EmPowering RVN (Instagram @theempoweringrvn) and graduated from Coventry University with a BSc(Hons) Veterinary Nursing in 2017. She is passionate about giving people the opportunity to have their voice heard. We chat about everything from being less ‘Karen’ to being more you. Check out the amazing things Emily is doing https://www.empoweringmediaservices.co.uk
We were so excited to be joined by the amazing Gareth Arthurs in our clinical CPD segment this week (https://arthursorthopaedics.co.uk/). Gareth is a RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics) and graduated from Cambridge University in 1996. He has worked at a number of large referral practice in the UK and Ireland. Gareth divides his time between his own practice, as Professor of small animal orthopaedic surgery at the University of Nottingham, consultancy work for Veterinary Instrumentation, delivering orthopaedic CPD including for AOVET. This week is part two of our discussion regarding the diagnosis and management of cruciate disease in dogs and what the most up to date evidence says!
Today’s podcast is kindly sponsored by Veterinary Instrumentation (https://veterinary-instrumentation.co.uk/) a global Animal Health care organisation, which has proudly served the industry for over three decades.
Episode 30 – Falling in love with veterinary medicine… Down Under
In this week’s podcast episode we had such a laugh this week chatting to the wonderful Magda Upton. Magda is a small animal vet working a mixture of general practice, locum and emergency work and is our very first Australian guest. She keeps a balance in her life by also being a busy mother, lifeguard and cello player! Magda is passionate about being a good vet, performing good work ups on often limited budgets, building good relationships with clients and sharing knowledge with the next generation. Check out her amazing Instagram page @dr.magda.vet
We were so excited to be joined by the amazing Gareth Arthurs in our clinical segment this week (https://arthursorthopaedics.co.uk/). Gareth is a RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics) and graduated from Cambridge University in 1996. He has worked at a number of large referral practice in the UK and Ireland. Gareth divides his time between his own practice, as Professor of small animal orthopaedic surgery at the University of Nottingham, consultancy work for Veterinary Instrumentation, delivering orthopaedic CPD including for AOVET. This week is part one of our discussion regarding the diagnosis and management of cruciate disease in dogs and what the most up to date evidence says!
Today’s podcast is kindly sponsored by Veterinary Instrumentation (https://veterinary-instrumentation.co.uk/) a global Animal Health care organisation, which has proudly served the industry for over three decades.
Episode 29 – The Human Factor
In this week’s podcast episode we are so excited to be chatting to the amazing Lou Northway (Lou The Vet Nurse). Lou qualified as an RVN in 2009 and has worked in various first opinion practices and a referral hospital. She is now the Quality Improvement Clinical Lead (RVN) with RCVS Knowledge. Since qualifying, she has undertaken two further certificates in anaesthesia and ECC. She is currently Clinical Nurse Lead at a busy first opinion practice in Buckinghamshire. In 2019, she was awarded the RCVS Inspiration Award for her ability to inspire and enthuse others and was also awarded as an RCVS Knowledge Champion for two consecutive years for her clinical audits undertaken in practice. We talk to Lou about everything from being a mother to leaving your ego at the door! (www.louthevetnurse.com, Instagram @Louthevetnurse, www.facebook.com/Louthevetnurse).
For our clinical CPD segment today; Jon Hall is back for our chat about the medical and surgical management of the haemoabdomen. Jon is a Professor in small animal surgery at the University of Nottingham and Head of Soft Tissue Surgery at Wear Referrals.
Today’s podcast is kindly sponsored by Veterinary Instrumentation, a global Animal Health care organisation, which has proudly served the industry for over three decades.
Episode 28 – Breaking the silence
In this week’s podcast episode we have been chatting to Nat Scroggie and Liz Bode. Nat and Liz share their experiences of baby loss, as well as pregnancy after loss and live birth. Nat and Liz are truly some of the most inspiring, honest people and it was a true honour to share this conversation with them. Nat graduated from Nottingham Vet School in 2016 and has already led a varied career, combining small animal clinical work with a passion for supporting the wellbeing of her colleagues. She has always sought to share honestly the highs and lows of life in practice, in the hope that we can start to break the silence on difficult subjects, from mental health to baby loss. Her blog This Vet Runs has inspired veterinary professionals across the country to get more active. Nat co-founded the Vet MINDS group in 2018 to support fellow veterinary professionals facing baby loss and infertility.
This Vet Runs – Marathon running veterinary surgeon breaking the silence around pregnancy loss
For anyone that needs further support on any of the topics covered in this podcast please visit:
Episode 27 – Family, Friendship and Fish & Chips
In this week’s podcast episode we had the privilege of chatting to Jon about not only being a vet, but growing up in the profession. We chat about love, life and loss. Jon is the son of a Wigan vet and spent several years working in small animal general practice after graduating in 2004. He became an ECVS specialist in small animal surgery in 2015 and has worked at the RVC, the University of Cambridge and University of Edinburgh. He is a Professor in small animal surgery at the University of Nottingham, a Fellow of the Royal College and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He loves a good bit of surgery and being in a lucky position to help out colleagues with their surgical conundrums and through teaching.
In our clinical CPD segment we round off our dermatology month with a chat with Jonny from Zoetis. This week we are chatting about some of the drug options that are available for treating atopic dermatitis… so much more than just steroids!
For a range of Dermatology CPD, visit the Learning Academy https://learn-uk.zoetis.com
For any questions around Zoetis products, contact customersupportUK@zoetis.com
Episode 26 – An Ordinary Vet Doing Extraordinary Things
In this week’s podcast episodes we are honoured to be joined this week by Niall Connell, RCVS Senior Vice President and previous RCVS President. Niall qualified from Glasgow Vet School in 1982 and started in mixed, mainly small animal practice in Fife before joining PDSA in 1984. Niall took ill health retirement because of MS in December 2009. He now does some work as a Clinical & Professional Skills Instructor at Glasgow Vet School. We chat about his amazing career as well as some of the challenges that life throws in the way.
RCVS Diversity and Inclusion Group Strategy – Professionals
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/publications/rcvs-diversity-and-inclusion-group-strategy/
New Working Group on BAME veterinary student support holds first meeting – Professionals
VetGDP – overview of changes – Professionals
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/lifelong-learning/vetgdp/
We are so pleased to be joined by Sophie (Zoetis) again in our clinical CPD segment as part of our dermatology take over month. This week we are chatting all things communication, with a particular focus on the dermatology consultation.
For a range of Dermatology CPD, visit the Learning Academy https://learn-uk.zoetis.com
For any questions around Zoetis products, contact customersupportUK@zoetis.com
Episode 25 – Taking control… From Boundaries to Bartonella
In this week’s podcast episode we are joined by Veronica and Louise and talk all things wellness to parasite control! Veronika graduated in 2013, then moved to Madagascar for 5 years where she worked as an ambulatory equine vet, a lecturer at the University of Antananarivo and the Political Counsellor at the British Embassy. She’s been in first opinion small animal practice since returning to the UK in 2017, is two thirds through a masters in Conservation Medicine and has a four year old daughter. Having overcome depression and anxiety herself and as a Mental Health First Aider, she set up the Mentavet instagram platform to foster awareness of mental health challenges in our profession and to create and share resources for veterinary staff to improve their job satisfaction, wellbeing and contentment.
https://www.instagram.com/mentavet/
https://www.vetlife.org.uk 0303 040 2551
In our clinical CPD segment we are so pleased to be joined by Louise Longstaff from Zoetis. We chat all things parasite control as part of our dermatology takeover.
For a range of Dermatology CPD, visit the Learning Academy https://learn-uk.zoetis.com
For any questions around Zoetis products, contact customersupportUK@zoetis.com
Episode 24 – Ready, Steady, Scrape
In this week’s podcast episode we are thrilled to bring you the first episode as part of our dermatology takeover month which has been kindly suppported by Zoetis. We are excited to be joined by Tori Robinson and Sophie Duguid. Tori is a recognised specialist in veterinary dermatology and works at the Dermatology Referral Service in Glasgow. Sophie is an experienced small animal vet and one of the Zoetis Veterinary Consultant team.
In this week’s clinical CPD segment we chat about the work up of the pruritic patient. We discuss dusting off that microscope and getting the most out of skin cytology. Dermatology cases are some of the most common you will see in practice, but the time pressures that we are under make the investigation of these cases challenging. We share top tips on making it work in real life! We also chat about our real life experience… from batch cooks to cups of tea.
For a range of Dermatology CPD, visit the Learning Academy https://learn-uk.zoetis.com
For any questions around Zoetis products, contact customersupportUK@zoetis.com
Episode 23 – A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
In this week’s episode we had a wonderful chat with Naomi Mellor this week. Naomi is an equine vet, podcaster and entrepreneur. Having qualified from Edinburgh University in 2007, she now works part time for the British Horseracing Authority at racecourses throughout the south of England, and is the host and producer of three podcasts – Borborygmi: Noises From The Veterinary World, The Veterinary Woman Podcast, and her own show, Smashing The Ceiling, which showcases the lives of women with unusual, interesting and inspiring careers.
Naomi also recently founded The Skylark Collective, a global community for women in podcasting, and later this year is organising the first international awards ceremony for female-led podcasts, to be held in London. She is a passionate advocate for raising the voices of women in both the podcasting and veterinary spheres, and loves to mentor young people in the early stages of their career.
Instagram – @naomi_the_vet and @theskylarkcollective
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-mellor-171550150/
Website – www.skylarkcollective.co.uk
Episode 22 – Taking things two weeks at a time
In this week’s podcast episode we had the great pleasure of talking to Laura Kidd. We cover everything from teaching during COVID, believing in yourself and carpeting the stairs! Join Scott and Liz in our clinical feature to chat about the emergency management of hypercalcaemia in dogs and cats. Laura graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1988 and worked for five years in a small animal practice in Edinburgh. Laura now spends her time teaching vet and vet nurse students as well as being the Clinical Development Adviser for The Certificate of Veterinary Nursing Emergency and Critical Care (CertVNECC), a postgraduate qualification for veterinary nurses.
Episode 21 – Dogs on the street, rubbing my feet and skipping a beat
This week we are pleased to be joined by Michael Lazaris. Michael works as a small animal vet, currently locuming in London. He previously worked for the RSPCA, and talks about his experience of the hospital that he worked at closing permanently during the pandemic. Alongside his clinical work, Michael runs a heart-warming vet account on Instagram (@drlazaris_vet), showcasing the perks of being a vet, as well as running The Young Vet Programme for InvestIN, guiding young students through their vet career journey. In our clinical chat this week Liz and Scott discuss some of the most common arrythmias seen in our small animal patients (particularly in the ICU) and how to spot and manage them.
Please show Michael some support on Instagram @drlazaris_vet
Episode 20 – Childhood Dreams, Comedy Clubs and Cats With Clots
In this week’s podcast episode we are excited to be joined this week by Judy, chatting about everything from childhood dreams to realistic career expectations. Judy Puddifoot has been a first opinion small animal vet for 6 years since graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2014 aged 37. She is passionate about raising clinical standards and improving animal welfare. She has also presented TV shows, enjoys writing articles and guesting on podcasts. Judy can be found on Twitter and Instagram as @JudyTheVet. Her Facebook page can be found here https://www.facebook.com/judythevet/
In our clinical CPD segment Scott and Liz chat about the management of aortic thromboembolism in cats. This is a really challenging and devastating condition. Have treatment options changed and is there really anything we can do?
Episode 19 – Nutrition… how Paleo are you?
In this week’s podcast episode we are really pleased to be joined by Michael (Vet Affairs Manager, United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland Hill’s Pet Nutrition Ltd). This was a great opportunity to chat about the role pet nutrition plays in practice today – touching on some of the trends and difficulties we come face as vets and nurses on a daily basis. Ultimately as members of the vet healthcare team we face ever increasing time pressures, so where does nutrition fit in the order of priorities?
With increasing emphasis being placed on preventative healthcare and an increase in nutrition linked diseases such as obesity, nutrition is increasingly being pushed into the pet owners line of sight. So who is best placed to discuss nutrition and to make an appropriate recommendation? Dr Google, the breeder, the groomer or the Vet Healthcare Team?