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Vet Voices On Air

The team at Veterinary Voices discuss topical and controversial issues with key opinion leaders from the veterinary profession.
 
www.vetvoices.co.uk

Veterinary Voices UK

This week Robyn Lowe from Vet Voices On Air, dives into the remarkable world of Lowland Rescue dogs—the volunteer teams working alongside police to locate vulnerable missing people across the UK. If you’ve ever wondered how these dogs are trained, how they search, or how the public can help, this episode offers a fascinating look behind the scenes.

Inside the World of Lowland Rescue Search Dogs

What makes a good veterinary leader? Is it confidence, ambition and having the answers — or the ability to admit when you've got things wrong?In this episode of Veterinary Voices on Air, Robyn Lowe is joined by Professor Heather Bacon, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Lancashire, for a remarkably open conversation about animal welfare, leadership, self-doubt and the experiences that have shaped her career.

The Accidental Leader: Heather Bacon on Welfare, Failure and Finding Your Way

“They are masters of presenting very vaguely for vastly different things.” — Mark Naguib In this in-depth episode of Vet Voices on Air, Robyn is joined by Mark NaguibBVMS(Hons) CertAVP(ZM) MRCVS, RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine , an experienced avian and exotic veterinary surgeon, to explore the realities of avian medicine in general practice—covering both wildlife birds and companion species.While Vet Voices On Air has previously focused on wildlife casualties and considerations with Emily LLewyn and wildlife rehabilitation with Paul Reynolds, this episode goes broader, tackling the overlap between wild, captive, and pet birds, and addressing one of the biggest barriers many veterinary teams face: confidence.

When Birds Come Through the Door: Avian Emergency Care Made Practical

You’ve spent years working towards becoming a vet or RVN. Then comes the first job. But what happens when the career you dreamed about doesn’t feel quite so dreamy once you’re actually living it?“We all have that glass slipper image of the practice that we feel is best for us.” — Robyn In this episode of Vet Voices on Air, Robyn is joined by veterinary surgeon and graduate mentor Alison Price and recent graduate Danielle Golds for a refreshingly open conversation about those crucial first years in practice.

Your First Veterinary Job: Dream Role or Job from Hell?

In this episode of Vet Voices On Air, Genever Morgan and Georgia Woods-Lee explore one of the most debated topics in companion animal medicine: pet nutrition. From raw feeding and kibble to insect protein, plant-based diets and minimally processed foods, they discuss why feeding choices have become so personal—and why conversations about nutrition can be surprisingly complex.

The Food Bowl Connection: Understanding Pet Nutrition Beyond the Bowl

What if it's not arthritis?Lower back pain can look like hip osteoarthritis, behavioural change, skin disease, anal gland problems or simply people thinking it's just ‘old age’. Diagnosing it requires far more than finding one painful spot—it takes careful history-taking, clinical reasoning and seeing the bigger picture.In this episode of Vet Voices on Air, we sit down with RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology Colin Driver to explore the complexities of diagnosing and managing chronic lower back pain, particularly degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS). From recognising subtle behavioural changes and differentiating neurological from orthopaedic disease, to understanding when imaging, medical management or surgery may be appropriate, Colin shares practical advice that every veterinary professional can take back into practice.But this conversation quickly becomes about much more than spinal disease.We discuss what contextualised care really means, why there is rarely a single "right" answer for every patient, and how balancing evidence, patient welfare, owner circumstances, ethics and finances is one of the greatest challenges in modern veterinary medicine.The episode also takes an honest look behind the scenes of specialist practice. Colin speaks openly about complications, cognitive bias, decision-making under pressure and the emotional burden of making mistakes—topics that are rarely discussed publicly but affect every veterinary professional.

Lower Back Pain, Clinical Reasoning, Contextualised Care & Learning From Complications

What happens when three veterinary students are trusted to think differently?This episode begins with an incredible achievement: three University of Cambridge veterinary students who won a Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) competition, securing up to £100,000 to turn their vision into a real-world project. But this isn't simply a story about winning a competition—it's a conversation about the future of veterinary medicine, the role of students, and why One Health thinking has never been more important.Together, Francesca Haldane, Shreya Patel, Rudi Bruijn-Yard share how they developed an ambitious proposal to tackle Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Uganda through a sustainable, community-led vaccination programme designed to outlive external funding.

When Students Lead: The Future of Veterinary Medicine

The launch of the Innate Health Assessment (IHA) has sparked a passionate debate in the dog world.*Special Extended Episode* Supporters see it as a practical, simple tool to help improve canine welfare by addressing extreme conformation. Critics have raised concerns about fairness, scientific validity, breed identity, and fears that it could ultimately threaten certain breeds.To separate fact from fiction, Veterinary Voices UK sat down with Professor Dan O'Neill, veterinary epidemiologist at the Royal Veterinary College and one of the architects of the IHA, alongside Marisa Heath, Director of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare  (APGAW) and a long-standing animal welfare advocate.Veterinary Voices UK opened up the discussion to everyone to pose their questions and concerns, and the discussion explored the most common questions raised by breeders, owners, veterinary professionals and the wider dog community.

The IHA Debate: Health, Hype and Hard Questions

In this episode, Robyn is joined by Dr Camilla Edwards from First Opinion Veterinary Ultrasound (FOVU) for a really practical, honest conversation about making ultrasound less scary and more useful in everyday practice. If your machine is gathering dust, only comes out for the odd pyometra, or you feel that familiar imposter syndrome every time you pick up the probe – this one’s for you.

Building Confidence in Ultrasound with FOVU

In the latest Vet Voices on Air, Robyn is joined by Dr. Marie Francesca Menniti, MRCVS (residency-trained clinical nutritionist) to unpack a hot topic in pet feeding: home-prepared diets.

Home-Prepared Feeding: Nutritional Gaps, Diet Drift, and How to Do It Safely

Veterinary work is rewarding but also challenging. This resource explores three key psychosocial factors—burnout, moral injury, and compassion fatigue—that may impact the wellbeing of veterinary professionals. Sudden crises, ongoing stress, trauma, and ethical dilemmas can all contribute. While many other issues affect wellbeing, this guide focuses on these three. It applies to all veterinary team members, offering insights into recognizing, preventing, and responding to these challenges in the workplace

Burnout, Moral Injury & Compassion Fatigue – When Caring Starts to Hurt

This week on Vet Voices on Air, Robyn chats with Dr. Laurent, a European & RCVS-recognised Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology and certified perfusionist, about how general practitioners can feel more confident diagnosing, managing, and referring cardiac cases.

Having A Heart To Heart Chat — Cardiology and Confidence with Dr. Laurent Locquet

Heatstroke is one of the most lethal yet most misunderstood emergencies in veterinary medicine—and it doesn’t only happen on scorching summer days.In this in-depth episode Robyn from Vet Voices on Air is joined by two leading voices in the field: Dr Emily Hall, primary care vet, educator, and researcher whose PhD focused on the epidemiology of heatstroke in UK dogs, and Emily Cockerill, referral RVN and Lowland Rescue search dog volunteer with extensive real-world experience managing dogs working in extreme conditions.Together, they unpack what heatstroke actually is, why it’s so dangerous, and why time and temperature matter more than almost anything else. Using clear, evidence-based explanations, they explore what happens inside the body when temperatures rise—how proteins “cook,” organs fail, and why once a critical threshold is crossed, the damage is irreversible.

Too Hot to Handle: The Truth About Heatstroke

In this powerful and much-needed episode of Vet Voices on Air, we dive into one of the most emotionally charged and complex conversations in the dog world right now: breed health, extreme conformation, judging decisions, health testing, genetic diversity, and what meaningful change really looks like after Crufts 2026.

Beyond the Rosettes: the real conversation about breed health after Crufts 2026

Pet dental health is one of the most overlooked areas of animal care, and in this episode of Vet Voices On Air with Robyn, we tackle a topic that is becoming more common, more visible, and often more confusing for owners: anaesthesia-free dental procedures.Joining us for this important discussion are Alix, an ECVS and RCVS-recognised veterinary dental specialist, and Cat, a registered veterinary nurse and full-time groomer. Together, we explore what periodontal disease really is, why it is so common in dogs and cats, and where the line lies between helpful home maintenance and treatment that truly requires veterinary intervention.

The Pet Dental Debate: Prevention, Groomers & Anaesthesia-Free Cleaning

Vet Voices On Air episode for Endometriosis Awareness Month – March 2026The 2021 RCVS report shows that the UK veterinary profession is overwhelmingly female:57% of all registered veterinary surgeons are female96.8% of veterinary nurses are femaleNearly 80% of veterinary degree students are femaleNow put that next to the Endometriosis UK statistic that 1 in 10 females are affected by endometriosis.That means in every practice, in every lecture theatre, in every on-call rota… someone is likely living with a chronic, often invisible disease – whether they feel safe enough to say it out loud or not.

The Pain in Your Practice You Can’t See: Endometriosis in a Female Dominated Workforce

The episode challenges the profession to rethink how it communicates, so that in a world of instant information, veterinary professionals remain the trusted guide – not the last resort after a Google spiral.

Are We Evolving As Quickly as Our Clients?

From IOHC to HIF: understanding elbow fissures, fracture risk, and evidence-based treatment decisions in at-risk dogs.

‘The Elbow Episode’ With Ben Walton

In this Vet Voices on Air episode, Robyn Lowe hosts a powerhouse panel to unpack the brand new Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 – the law many are calling the Puppy Smuggling Act, but which reaches far beyond puppies alone.Featuring:Dr Danny Chambers – Vet & MP, who brought the Bill through ParliamentDr Sean McCormack – Vet, conservationist & presenter (ear cropping and welfare campaigner)Dr Alison Skipper – Vet & Veterinary and Research Advisor, Royal Kennel ClubCat the Vet – Vet, educator, welfare advocate & media commentator

Inside the Cross-Border Pet Trade: Illegal Imports, Cropped Ears, Declawed Cats and the Future of Ethical Breeding

Ever wondered what actually happens when a horse vet swaps night shifts and colic calls for Parliament and policy.In this episode of Vet Voices On Air, Robyn speaks to her friend Danny Chambers – founder of Veterinary Voices UK, equine vet and now MP (since July 2024) – about life on the green benches and what it really means to have “a vet in the room” in Westminster.

From colics to the Commons: when your out-of-hours vet becomes your MP

Listen to the finale episode of Vet Voices on Air for the full mix of chaos, laughter, penguins, snails, politics, hiking storms, and heartfelt community chat – available where you usually find us.Wishing you a Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays / peaceful festive on-call rotaMay the on-call gods be gentle, the chocolate be out of reach of dogs, and your 2026 be full of more glimmers than grumbles.See you in January for SEASON 3!

Season 2 Finale: Vet Voices on Air – We Survived 2025 (Somehow)

In this episode, Paul and Robyn explore how public expectations, rehabilitation centre realities, and veterinary clinical decision-making can sometimes pull in different directions. From questions around treatment thresholds and release suitability, to the emotional weight of euthanasia decisions, we unpack why different groups may see the same situation differently — and why that’s okay (but also requires some understanding and respect, as wildlife facilities and veterinary professionals often face substantial abuse for their decisions around wildlife care) What we cover:Why members of the public often see saving an animal as the only ethical outcomeHow rehabbers balance compassion, resources, legislation and welfareThe veterinarian’s responsibility to consider suffering, prognosis and humane limitsThe importance of understanding biosecurity, facility standards and the wider ecosystemAnd most importantly… how we can communicate with more empathy, transparency and shared understandingThis episode isn’t about who’s “right” — it’s about bridging gaps, improving collaboration and building a clearer shared knowledge of why different decisions are made. When we understand each other better, wildlife welfare always wins.

Decision Points: The Wildlife Rehab Paradox with Paul Reynolds

This week on Vet Voices On Air, Robyn talks with Professor Dan O’Neill (Royal Veterinary College, VetCompass) about a powerful new way of thinking: innate health.Rather than asking “Does my dog have a disease?”, innate health asks:👉 “Can my dog actually live the full life a dog should — breathe easily, run, blink, sleep, wag, communicate and enjoy life without pain or struggle?”Dan explains how extreme conformations — like very flat faces, bulging eyes, deep skin folds, twisted legs or missing tails — can limit those basic abilities, even before disease appears.He also shares data from VetCompass, showing how some breeds with extreme features have shorter average lifespans. And together, we explore why public education alone hasn’t shifted buying habits, how “cute” can cloud our judgement, and how we can move toward healthier, more functional dogs without losing breed identity.What we discuss:✅What “innate health” means and why it changes the conversation✅Evidence on lifespan and welfare from thousands of dogs✅The difference between healthy variety and harmful extremes✅How owners, vets and breeders can all play a role in change✅Why compassion and reflection work better than blameOur goal? To make “healthy the new cute.”

When “Cute” Hurts: Rethinking Innate Health

Bonus episode: The revamped Rabbit Friendly Practice Scheme — and how to get featured where owners look firstOn Vet Voices on Air, Robyn chats with John Chitty (Advisor, Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund) about the biggest overhaul of the Rabbit Friendly Practice Scheme since it began — plus how practices can appear in the Trusted Rabbit Friendly Vet Directory that rabbit owners actively use to find care.

The revamped Rabbit Friendly Practice Scheme

Join us for a hard-hitting episode with Dr John Tulloch, Lecturer in Veterinary Public Health and RCVS Specialist, as we unpack a critical but often overlooked topic: workplace injury in the veterinary profession.We’ll cover:How the profession defines a workplace injury and the legal/occupational framework behind it Patterns and risks of injury in equine and farm veterinarians, based on recent field researchCommon hazards and incidents in veterinary teaching hospitals and clinics, from sharps injuries to animal handling accidentsPractical steps clinics and individual veterinarians can take to reduce risk and foster safer working environmentsIf you’ve ever wondered what “occupational health” really means for veterinary workers, or if you're concerned about safety in your workplace, this episode is for you.

"Just a Flesh Wound" and "'Tis But a Scratch" — Why Workplace Injuries Deserve More Attention

Nutrition Case Files with Charley GrayGP vet Charley Gray joins Robyn to share powerful real-life cases where asking “What does your pet eat?” unlocked the diagnosis. From skin disease to seizures, we explore how curiosity, open dialogue, and non-judgmental nutrition discussions can transform outcomes in practice

Nutrition Case Files with Charley Gray

In veterinary medicine, it's easy to place immense pressure on ourselves to succeed. We often feel we must juggle everything—clinical work, home life, exams, further education, side projects, and more. But this constant balancing act can lead to stress, dissatisfaction, and feelings of inadequacy. Imposter syndrome becomes a quiet companion. But does it have to be this way?In this conversation, Jamie McClement BVSc MSc CertSAS FRSB FRCVS shares his journey from general practice to referral vetting. Initially, Jamie was determined to keep a hand in every area of veterinary work. But over time, he came to realise that trying to do it all wasn’t sustainable—or beneficial. Instead, he discovered that narrowing his focus wasn’t a failure, but a way to deliver better care and make the most of his skills.Reflecting on this transition, Jamie explains:“Because if you try to do everything, especially things that you're not massively good at, it just gets really, quite, quite stressful, and you don't really enjoy it so much.”In typical Jamie fashion, even moments of serious insight come with a touch of humour. He recalls a conversation that unexpectedly shaped his thinking:“One of my uncles actually was speaking about this with me. He just said something so dull—he said that what he does is, he has like a five-year plan. Every five years he sits down with his wife and works out what they want to do, what their goals are. And I thought, that is just the most boring thing I've ever heard.And then I realised—I was drifting. He’d had a really successful career. And actually, it turned out to be one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received. It gives you focus. It makes you stop and ask, ‘What do I actually want to do?’”We also explore how critical interpretation of clinical literature is a skill that many in the profession don’t develop until much later in their careers—something that could be introduced and nurtured much earlier.Another key topic we discuss is the evolution of the veterinary nursing profession. Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) are attaining advanced qualifications and training, yet many report that their workplaces aren't adapting fast enough to fully utilise their skills. This lack of opportunity can lead to deep frustration and career stagnation.They reflect on the missed potential; There’s a real sense of disillusionment among RVNs who’ve undertaken higher education, only to return to roles where nothing has changed. It’s demoralising to invest so much in your development, only to find your scope hasn’t expanded.This conversation is a timely reminder: Progression doesn’t always mean doing more. Sometimes, it means doing less—but doing it better. And importantly, it means creating space for others in the profession to grow, thrive, and feel valued.

Rethinking Career Progression in Veterinary Medicine: A Conversation with Jamie McClement

Join us this week for a very topical and important subject: discussion of discrimination within the veterinary community and what we can do to minimize this, with Robyn Lowe and co-founder of the British Ethnicity and Diversity Society, Navaratnam Partheeban (Theeb).In this insightful podcast we discuss how change starts with us, how each of us have the power to help build a more just, welcoming and diverse profession and wider community. We talk about how this doesn’t mean knowing all the answers or most appropriate terminology all the time, instead it is about open mindedness, having conversations to understand and empower individuals who experience discriminative behaviour. It’s about supporting an individual in the way they would like it to be supported. Everyone is different and will identify differently, so if you aren’t sure how best to support them, then respectfully, ask them!Theeb shares his daily awareness of potential prejudice or discrimination that may threaten him or his family and how he can’t shake the habit of needing to be a “good immigrant.” We touch on how to handle clients who show prejudice. Firstly, if you see it, how do we call it out and recognise it or what it is. We talk about how different leadership styles can have a hugeimpact on how a staff member feels following being exposed to prejudice remarks or discriminative behaviour. So, give it a listen, we promise it’s a good one!Some useful links for further support and information:·     Join the National Farmers’ Union, the BritishVeterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society and Culture Roots Collective as wecontinue our mission to create an ethnically diverse, thriving agriculturesector that represents the national population, fosters belonging and harnessesthe power of diverse thought and experience: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/agrifuture-forum-tickets-1468957705039?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile&fbclid=IwdGRjcAMmcLNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHrAhKgEQx5hDkC7EMJnCZQlvsnTIKOUnz9vBewUm-e59DvPXi1LlnpKbcEnH_aem_NjbWSKBWktWxDuT_nCbSng·     The Good Immigrant is a book of 21 essays byBAME writers, described by Sandeep Parmar in The Guardian as "anunflinching dialogue about race and racism in the UK.” ·     British Veterinary Ethinicity and Diversity Society- British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society | BVEDS https://share.google/SV36sRCgjgwk8jk7E·     Home | BVLGBT+ https://share.google/5gAcV9liNIxQ1DNnF·     British Veterinary Chronic Illness Support https://share.google/ijtIn1HmpJ09Q9j6M  

From Awareness to Action: Building Inclusive Communities

Wildlife species in the UK are vast, and they often have to live in synergy with the expanding urbanisation and in harmony with humans. But sometimes, they get into trouble (and it's often the humans fault!).What do we do when we find a sick or injured wild animal?! Join us as we speak to wildlife vet, Emily Llewellyn, as we investigate wildlife vetting in the UK. What are the barriers, legislation, obligations and considerations we take into account when presented with poorly wildlife? What constitutes as first aid, and as veterinary professionals, rehabbers and members of the public, what are the do's and do nots of supportive care and first aid when we find something in need of help? We learn about what is, and is not treatable. What are the most common casualties? How do we handle the prickly, the bitey and the ferocious? And are they any hidden dangers - like zoonotic disease, bacteria and viruses? How do we protect ourselves whilst still helping out these little (or big) animals? Wildlife can be a contentious subject (and we won't allow any disparaging comments, only helpful comments), and one with lots of opinions and passionate individuals who have the best interests of wildlife at heart. We learn how general practice teams can up-skill and learn to be confident in first aid provision and encourage practices to make links with wildlife hospitals for individual support; we learn how the public can be more understanding that not everything is treatable and just how much veterinary teams and rehabbers need to consider (such as long term prognosis) before we decide to treat and rehabilitate, and we learn how wildlife rehabbers can improve their protocols to increase antimicrobial stewardship. Who are we going to call? Not ghost busters! Here are some useful websites to help direct you. https://www.bwrc.org.uk/https://directory.helpwildlife.co.uk/https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/injuredThere are also some resources on wildvet_in_the_foresthttps://www.instagram.com/wildvet_in_the_forest?igsh=MXB1NWhmdXB5a2t3eA==Are you a vet or RVN who wants to increase your confidence? Each year Stapeley Grange and the team arrange a number of wildlife courses which provides training and CPD opportunities for wildlife rehabilitators, vets and vet nurses. Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre - Education - rspca.org.uk - RSPCA https://share.google/4ClwLaHfdCg10BnIA

Wildlife vetting and rehabilitation : Just because we can, does it mean we should?

Have you ever felt yourself falter? A stumble in your career where you felt like there was no 'next step' forward and you felt lost? Many veterinary professionals have worked towards a clear goal, to work in veterinary medicine. So, it can be disconcerting when you find yourself unhappy in your role and unsure of what to do next. In this conversation we discuss how you can work through these tough decisions by talking to someone, who may be able to give you support in those next steps. Tune in to the positivity vet nurse for her take on this.For more information, please see: https://thepositivevetnurse.com/

What do you do when the next step isn't clear?

Time for some invertebrate insight from creep crawly vet, Agata Witkowska BVM BVS BVMedSci CertAVP(ZooMed) GPCert(Endo) MRCVS in conversation with our very own Robyn Lowe. We discuss how over the past decade, knowledge about invertebrate husbandry and medical care as grown and its dissemination helped hugely by the internet. Yet the internet may be a double-edged sword with misinformation also circulating, making it very easy for owners to receive conflicting and incorrect information and for invertebrates to be bought at the click of a button without proper knowledge and understanding o heir husbandry needs and the cost and commitment of owning them responsibly.Do we as veterinary professionals have a duty of care to direct our clients to good sources of knowledge, to educate ourselves on invertebrate first aid and euthanasia techniques?Agata shares her passion for creepy crawlies and how special the animal human bond can be with them, despite sadly many people dismissing them as being non-sentient beings or disposable. She highlights the fear of judgement some keepers, or owners of invertebrates may feel in expressing this bond. We talk about how many of us have fears surrounding handling these creatures, and how best to overcome these feelings, recognizing than some species may cause irritation when handling them and how exposure and knowledge about the species may be helpful to some. Listen in to hear what common issues Agata encounters in her role and her recommendations for improving invertebrate veterinary care including Carpenters formulary and Invertebrate Medicine by Lewbart.

Some invertebrate insight from a creepy crawly vet

Is civility just as simple as ‘being nice’ to people? Join us in the episode with Dan Tipney, from VetLed, to investigate about incivility, perceptions, non violent communication and how we can improve team mental health and patient outcome

Civility Saves Lives

***Trigger Warning***It is important to note that this podcast discusses the sensitive subject of veterinary alcohol and drug dependence as well as mental health. If you feel affected by any of this, please contact Vetlife Helpline on 0303 040 2551 or via email: https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/. You can access different support for alcohol use via Alcohol Change UK: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/. For difficulties with drug and alcohol use support can be found on the Frank website: https://www.talktofrank.com/get-help/find-support-near-you**********************************************************Join us this week in an open discussion about drug and alcohol use within the veterinary sector with our very own Robyn Lowe in conversation with David Harris and Olivia Cormier.David shares his own lived experience of dependence on pain medication following an injury in practice and how with retrospect he can understand what were withdrawal symptoms from the drug, what were mental health difficulties and what was attributable to his physical pain; but at the time it was hard to see the wood from the trees let alone seek support. David frank description of how he managed to overcome his addiction whilst changing from an equine veterinary role to being a vet in small practice. Whilst recognising the challenges he faced he is able to say that he overcame these, largely due to getting the right professional help as well as the support of a few close and trusted friends and family.Many of the difficulties described by David’s lived experience have been mirrored in research done by Olivia, who after 13 years in equine practice and a psychology Masters is researching alcohol use behaviours, mental health and barriers to help-seeking and alcohol reduction in the UK veterinary sector. We discuss the impact of stigma both from others and directed towards the self in getting support as well as the presence of our regulating body, the RCVS and how fear of negative repercussions on careers is a further barrier to support.For further information see the following paper:https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.4532A second study is currently underway to quantify these findings within the veterinary sector as a whole with Olivia also commencing PhD on the topic this September.

It could happen to any of us: a conversation about drug and alcohol dependence in the veterinary sector.

Join us in conversation with Alison Skipper and Ruth Serlin for this week’s podcast with our hosts Danny Chambers and Robyn Lowe as we tackle the holistic meaning of contextualisedcare in veterinary practice. Contextualised care goes beyond financial considerations, it is about meeting people where they are, replacing judgement with empathy, curiosity and an open mindset for a more rewarding outcome for us all.Alison’s PhD in breed-related disease led her to co-found Veterinary Humanities UK, through which she met Ruth, a charity vet and educator with an interest in veterinary humanities and communication.In this podcast, we discuss some of the explicit and implicit factors of contextualised care, and how It isn’t about just, or, at all about choosing the least costly treatment. It is about drawing on our clinical and communication skills as aveterinary professional to holistically consider all the factors, prioritise them and select the correct treatment for that patient in that space and time. We discuss how you as a veterinary professional, the owner/ caregiver and the patient(s)all bring a unique bias or angle to the situation, making self-reflection on what we bring to a scenario key.We debate the ethics of a gold standard is best message, and how this may put increased pressures and expectations on veterinary professionals. We consider how failureto provide gold standard treatment to a patient can elicit mental health challenges to vets and feelings of moral distress, and how the idea of contextualised care can potentially mitigate this. 

Going beyond finances: what does contextualised care really mean?

Join our host Robyn Lowe discussing one of her favourite topics: guinea pigs with Hannah Messer, RVN and manager of the Potato Patch Guinea Pig Sanctuary. We discuss the main reasons guinea pigs require rehoming and touch on the overwhelming numbers of guinea pigs that are currently needing rescue. It is essential for owners to fully understand basic feeding, housing and enrichment needs of the guinea pig they are taking on and we debate the role veterinary staff have to educate clients on this and the extent this should be explored in history taking when presented with a guinea pig with health issues.We run through optimum indoor and outdoor housing provision, and how for owners and guinea pigs each may have its pros and cons. We tackle the idea that guinea pig temperament and confidence with being handled can vary hugely, largely based on how much exposure to humans they have in the early phases of life. Many may be very nervouswhen handled and are not suited to a home that wants to handle them regularly.It is important we do not fall into the trap of picking guinea pigs based on looks, but instead to understand how their needs reflect our own and decrease the owner: guinea pig mismatch.Hannah is doing an important job. To access more information on this and other guinea pig related facts, you can follow Hannah via The Potato Patch page on Facebook. 

Tackling the guinea pig: owner mismatch. Remember beauty is more than skin deep.

This podcast is on the emotive subject of veterinary suicide in which John Gibson shares his personal story of the loss of a loved one to suicide with Robyn Lowe. It is a very open and deep conversation that may be a difficult thing for you to listento right now. If you feel able and safe to listen, then please remember that if you feel affected in anyway by this podcast, to reach out for support. *******************************************************You can contact Vetlife helpline, whose phonelines are available 24/7 on 0303 040 2551 or by anonymous web contact through the website link: https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/In addition, if you are experiencing thoughts about ending your life you can text CANMORE to 85258, they are available 24/7.*******************************************************Following the death of his son Cameron, John, alongside his wife Isobel, founded the Canmore trust, a charity that works towards both suicide prevention and postvention. They work with people struggling to want to stay in the world, to find a safe space despite the struggles and difficulties they may be facing right now. They have a particular interest in the veterinary profession as their son Cameron was a newly qualified vet. They work on both an individual and policy level to prevent veterinary suicide. We talk frankly about the different patterns and types of grieving we may experience as individuals within a team, how this may be experienced at different times and the misalignment that may create. We touch on disenfranchised grief, discuss how more support is needed for veterinary mental health around animal euthanasia as well as the importance of postvention support following suicide in theworkplace. Postvention support may indeed prevent future suicide attempts.  Please join us to hear from John, a determined, compassionate individual whose purpose is to bring hope and support to those experiencing suicidal thoughts or grieving a loved one to suicide.

Veterinary suicide: how postvention can be prevention

“The available estimates indicate that Europe’s pet trade (cats, dogs, exotic) is the third most profitable illegal trade in the EU, after narcotics and weapons,”Tune in to hear Robyn Lowe in conversation with Rowena Packer and Zoe Belshaw to discuss their research findings into the shocking reality of puppy sale scams and illegal puppy smuggling, where animal health, behaviour and welfare is hugely compromised for financial profit.Rowena is a senior lecturer in companion animal behaviour at RVC and Zoe is a European and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine. They discuss their research findings, particularly the increase in puppy sales throughout the pandemic and the change in methods of acquisition.Importing puppies is often illegal and unethical. Ongoing research has shown that there is an increasing trend in the number of puppies purchased with passports (i.e imported puppies), in 2021 at least 1 in 10 puppies were imported. In 2020, Dogs Trust found that 14% of all adverts reviewed were for imported puppies (29% in England), at least 18% of the imported puppies were confirmed by the seller as being under the minimum 15 weeks of age.It is something we in the veterinary profession, and prospective puppy owners, need to know more about, and we hope that this podcast provides some insight and tools to identify when this is likely to be going on, for example any puppy who has been imported under the age of 15 weeks will have been done so illegally.We also discuss the hugely damaging impact this has on the puppies, dams and sires from a behaviour, disease and welfare point of view. This issue is becoming more prevalent, and we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and our clients so that we can try and tackle this, ultimately by identifying puppy sellers who are part of the illegal puppy trade and boycotting these purchases.

The shocking reality of the illegal puppy trade

In this week’s forward-thinking podcast, we hear from Liz barton, Matt Dobbs and Ed Rochead in conversation with our very own Robyn Lowe on their views and experiences of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the veterinary profession. Liz Barton is Head of Communications at VetCT, Matt Dobbs is CEO of Agsenze and Ed Rochead is a mathematician employed by the government, currently commissioning research in AI, Cyber, AI and Data Science for the MOD. Together Liz and Matt bring expertise on implementing AI in both small and large animal medicine, and Ed brings fascinating insight into data science.During this podcast we discuss how AI can be of value within a veterinary context. This may include how it can aid note taking and history writing which may save time and reduce burnout; how it can deliver efficiency in diagnostics and help with the provision of precision agriculture, where in a herd setting tailored care for the individual can be achieved. But importantly we also consider the ethical implications of AI use in the long-term, and in cases such as selective breeding. We talk about the urgent responsibility on us as veterinary professionals to have robust and ethical debates around AI use and better understand how it may impact the health and welfare of the animals we serve.A key part of embracing AI in a positive way is to ensure veterinary professionals are trained to use it correctly. This includes making sure data is correct, consistent and contextualised and that data interpretation utilises core veterinary knowledge and skills to deliver safe, practicable and realistic advice and veterinary care. For more information, please see a written piece about Agritech by Robyn Lowe and Matt Dobbs.A paper on Artificial Intelligence in Veterinary Medicine by Liz Barton.

How can veterinary professionals harness AI to maximize patient health and welfare?

Have you noticed any signs of poor welfare breeding in your dog or rescue dog? If you have then you're not the only one who has fallen into these scams - and they're getting harder to spot.  In today's podcast Robyn Lowe talks to Tim Kirby, founder of PetBond about his passion and drive to celebrate ethical breeders and work to improve puppy health and welfare as well as owner support using a preventative medicine approach. Tim describes his varied clinical working background and why he setup PetBond.We talk about how to support and educate potential new owners to help them avoid falling into the common scams of purchasing a puppy from sources that are unethical that may increase the risk of future physical and behavioural ill-health of the puppy.We discuss the importance of the veterinary profession working with and celebrating the breeders who are focused on both the health and welfare of the puppies, dam and sire and supporting the long-term health strategies for their breed. We talk about how working harmoniously and synergistically with them as a team, can better the outcomes of all the animals involved. PetBond provides a rigorous verification process, an ethical breeding policy, protection for buyers, a trusted network of veterinary clinic partnerships and accredited ethical breeders and trusted reviews. Throughout this podcast we discuss their initiatives, including pre-purchase consults, verification of ethical breeders and health testing.For more information regarding PetBond, visit their website:https://mypetbond.com/Or if you and your clinic are interested in signing up or asking more about it, see the sign up here: https://mypetbond.com/auth/vet-signup 

How can the vet sector play a role in ethical puppy breeding

Join us for this week’s podcast in which Ami Sawran and Danny Chambers chat to Paul Wood, a farm vet and academic working at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) about his experiences of treating farm animals in commercial, rescue, sanctuary and pet scenarios. We ask, how possible is it to keep a farm animal alive to old age and with an adequate quality of life? This podcast brings a wealth of experience, from individuals passionate about animal welfare. We delve into the realities of giving commercial animals a non-commercial life. As farm animals can NEVER be signed out of the food chain, it makes the treatment options for old age diseases, such as arthritis, very limited. Faced with this reality, how possible is it to keep a large animal alive to old age and with a adequate quality of life? Furthermore, how do we assess that quality of life? Does an animal still eating truly mean it wants to continue living? What are the benchmarks for this? Do we in the farm veterinary community have the tools to manage these animals and these clients in a contextualized way? The episode also delves into common problems that some owners of these animals are not aware of. Did you know, you can’t make a Victoria sponge for your pet pig in your kitchen! This could seem ridiculous and trivial to an adoring owner, wanting the best for their pig. But the global health concerns of contaminated pork products being ingested by a pet pig could be huge, with cases of African Swine Fever originating in situations like these (the same rule applies to other species of farm animal too, such as your pet chickens)!This episode contains reference to livestock slaughter, and may be upsetting to some listeners, but the discussion is respectful and an incredibly important ethical dilemma many people are facing, talking about these concerns from first hand experience working as a farm or mixed vet. 

There are fates worse than death - should it always be 'quantity' of 'quality' in farm animals?

Join us for this latest podcast, in which Robyn Lowe talks to Michael Marshall, on the topic of conspiracy theories, medical mistrust and how it relates to the veterinary sector and how we can best approach these situations in a compassionate and most effective way. Michael Marshall, known as Marsh, is editor at The Skeptic, project, director at the Good Thinking Society and host of the Be Reasonable podcast. He is fascinated by what drives people to believe in non-mainstream ideas.How do we do we support people and listen, when they hold ideologies that could be harmful? Marsh feels we need to understand and recognise what and how people are exposed to conspiracy or alternative views. What messages are they being given? What are the sales pitches and why is it so persuasive to them?Marsh explains how medical mistrust and conspiracy theories, can be relevant to veterinary medicine. Often non-mainstream beliefs are not isolated, they are part of a bigger picture of how individuals view the world. So though perhaps believing one ideology isn’t harmful, what this belief can lead to may be harmful, if it pertains to health for themselves, their children or their pets. The downstream effects of irrationality are unpredictable.We discuss how can we go about tackling these issues in the consulting room. First you need to do the groundwork; to show them you don’t judge them and that you just want to understand their perspective. This shapes the conversation to be more open and less combative. We chat about how you can then try to open the conversation to how the individual came to believe in these ideologies. Understanding where they started is better than challenging the ideas from the outset. How does this belief sit with their self-identity and how they see themselves fitting in the world. What need does this fulfil? Join this fascinating conversation where we learn how to open dialogue with those who hold beliefs that don't reflect our own.

The Downstream Effects of Irrationality are Unpredictable.

Our very own Robyn Lowe hosts this week’s podcast in which we discuss the work done by the Vet Project, with Helen Allwood and Daniel Keating-Roberts. Both with a personal understanding of neurodiversity, they discuss how they decided to set up the Vet Project, to help with the challenges of life in veterinary practice. They give advice and insight into how to improve the workplace for neurodivergent individuals.We touch on how, due to the nature of neurodiversity, every individual and their needs are different and as a result placing someone into a category based on diagnosis and assuming what they will need can be really unhelpful. It is important that individuals feel able to self-advocate for their needs, and for leadership to educate themselves and make themselves aware of the lived experience of neurodiversity, and to be led by the individual.We talk about how to ask for reasonable adjustments at work, highlighting that you do not need a formal diagnosis to ask for this support. Along with this is the need to reduce the stigma around neurodiversity, increasing our understanding and awareness.We explain the double empathy mismatch, where due to differences in communication styles neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals may not recognise the others empathy, but that does not mean that empathy is not there.This is not an issue unique to the veterinary profession and is on a societal level. But there are a high proportion of veterinary professionals who are neurodivergent and it is so important for us all to understand what this means as it can be a wonderfully enriching thing. Variety is the spice of life!For. more information check out Vetlife's excellent resource:https://www.vetlife.org.uk/sdm_downloads/neurodiversity-awareness-resource-booklet/And the RCVS's recent reasonable adjustment's campaign:https://www.rcvs.org.uk/lifelong-learning/leadership-diversity-and-inclusion/reasonable-adjustments-campaign/?&&type=rfst&set=true#cookie-widget

Variety is the spice of life!

It’s a full house for this fascinating topic, bringing you international passionate perspectives from Cat Henstridge (Cat the Vet), Hillary Pearce and Cecilia Villaverde in conversation with our very own Robyn Lowe. Cat is a first opinion vet, with particular interest innutrition and nutrition education in UK vet schools. Hillary graduated in the USA. She has worked for Hill’s pet nutrition for over 10 years. Cecilia is a board certified veterinary nutrionist who graduated from Spain and completed her residency in the USA and Europe.We discuss how intertwined and fundamental nutrition training is to all our veterinary learning for health and disease, and that vet schools in the UK are reflecting this with both designated nutrition lectures and nutrition training included in individual disease learning. The take home- we know more than we think! But why are vets getting such bad press around their abilities to provide nutritional advice to clients? The term pet nutritionist is not protected and doesn’t require an individual to have particular qualifications in order for them to call themselves this. How can we communicate this disconnect to our clients, and help them with what to look for and who to trust? Do we need to do more as a profession to clarify our position on this? We discuss the misconceptions of pet food companies affiliated with the veterinary profession are producing biased studies in favour of their products. A collaboration does not mean an inevitable bias. Feed companies with a designated team of veterinary experts working to improve pet nutrition in an evidenced-based manner is a positive thing. Perhaps we should be questioning why other companies are not following suit?  How many of us put too much sway on the ingredients list fora pet food? We talk about the legal requirements for this, and marketing tools used to make certain foods more appealing to owners.  In summary, we cram a lot in. This is not one to miss!

Debunking the Myths and Misconceptions of Pet Nutrition

Veterinary voices’ very own Robyn Lowe chats to Matt Dobbs, director of VetYou and Paul Horwood, Vetlife trustee, about the benefits of futureproofing our finances, and crucially how to do it! Join us for some useful tips to make sure you are in control ofyour personal finances.We discuss the financial literacy of the profession and how it is in decline and as a result individuals are not making active decisions about their finances at the beginning of their career, when it is going to make the biggest difference to them inthe event of not being able to work and when they want to stop working such as at retirement!The 3 key areas that we focus on in this podcast are protecting your health (e.g. health insurance), your current income (e.g. role and job specific income protection) and planning for the future (e.g. pensions, life insurance and tax-free ISAs). Theearlier you setup each of these areas the better value for money or higher returns you are likely to get.When it comes to finances, knowledge is power, so consider looking into this to better understand it and/ or consult an independent financial advisor.For a useful, free resource to get started please see The MoneySavingExpert website:https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/Another free financial resource that can also help you chose your independent financial advisor is the Citizens Advice Money Helper:https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/financial-advice/getting-financial-advice/If you are in financial difficulty, Vetlife have a financial support team who can help vets and vet nurses, look at their website for more details:https://www.vetlife.org.uk/vetlife-services-financial-support/

Why Should We Futureproof Our Finances, And How Do We Do It?

Tune in to hear Danny Chambers in conversation with Olivia Cormier, an equine vet who after completing a MSc in psychology has diversified into mental health research. We discuss what we know so far about drinking in the veterinary profession, how drinking to excess is often normalised and drinking to cope encouraged: having negative implications on our mental health. We also discuss some of the barriers to help-seeking faced by those in veterinary practice who wish to reduce their alcohol consumption.

When was the last time you had an open conversation with your colleagues about concerns over drinking consumption and motives? Is it a taboo topic? A recent study published in the Veterinary Record by Olivia and Jennifer Seddon, a senior psychology lecturer at Oxford Brookes University demonstrated the significant effects alcohol can have on mental health, highlighting the importance of better understanding this subject. Barriers to help-seeking were reported to be stigma towards the self and fear of career implications. How can we support professional individuals to get the support they need?

Following funding from the RCVS MMI impact grant a second study to better understand mental health, alcohol behaviours and barriers to help seeking in veterinary professions (including veterinary nurses, veterinarians and veterinary receptionists) is underway! By better understanding these factors we can start intervention development to enable help-seeking and reduce the stigma around problems with drinking within the veterinary community.

If you feel you have been affected by this podcast, or that you are experiencing problems with your alcohol consumption then please contact Vetlife Helpline,
available 24/7 on 0303 040 2551/ www.vetlife.org.uk

To view the recent study on Alcohol-related Stigma in the UK Veterinary Profession, follow this link:
https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.4532

To learn more about the MMI impact grant, follow-on study please see the following link (recruitment for participation is due to start in April 2025):
https://www.brookes.ac.uk/about-brookes/news/news-from-2025/01/oxford-brookes-research-team-awarded-grant-to-stud

Drinking in the Veterinary Profession: What’s the Story So Far?

From leadership, to communication to breaking down the concept of ‘gold standard’ and moving towards contextualized care aka ‘vetting’- join us for an insightful conversation that flows through a versatile journey of learning and experiences over years of vetting. 
In this podcast we are joined by Vet Voices On Air’s Ami Sawran, as we talk to Simon and Sam. Simon Hayes, is a veterinary surgeon with 23 years experience in the industry and co-founding the startup Creature Comforts a company that wants to see "healthier pets and happier vets". Sam Joseph is the co-founder of StreetVet and also Clinical Director & Veterinary Surgeon of Creature Comforts' Notting Hill clinic. 
During the episode the two talk about all aspects of career, leadership, happiness and team dynamics. They feel that leadership is someone you want to follow and be part of, sometimes that means leading with vulnerability and talking about your pressures too.
Over the years of vetting, they have found that lack of foundations being laid without preparing teams for the current changeable veterinary landscape, meaning old habits and cultures makes it hard to change. They feel that this results in lots of firefighting going on with people trying to dig themselves out of a negative work situation - is starting your own practice the answer? To create your own culture? It's hard when you don't feel like you have control of your own destiny, and sometimes it's easier to start fresh and help build something up as sometimes it's hard to change culture and dynamics in established practices.
They feel that communication is the foundation of this, not only being vulnerable as a leader but also how we talk and interact with our clients. They think If we paid as much attention to how you run a consultant but as we do clinical CPD, then a lot of issues would fall away as your confidence grows in communication and interpersonal skills. Artificial Intelligence is going to help their practices to see what communication works, and what doesn't, and how we can be more empathetic in our interactions which will help the customer and professional interactions, by analysing language. 
Furthermore, they ask, is 'gold standard' a source of stress?
Should we use contextualised care to ‘reset’ how we manage care? Gold standard could cause friction between client and professional - when someone wants to aim to hold standard but barriers prevent it. So, guided and balanced decision making, and ensure the best outcome for the patient. Pragmatism should be considered a useful tool, and treating the pet in the context of what is best for the pet and the client. 
Simon says: What is contextualised care? It's basically vetting. We as a profession understand there are levels of care that can be offered, and that is the right care for that owner and that patient at that time. 
Listen here for a journey through time, and vetting. 

Creature Comforts

Veterinary Voices UK Special Episode: 'A Year of Vet Voices On Air.
Join Veterinary Voices UK own Danny Chambers and Robyn Lowe, with Vet Voices On Air hosts Paul Horwood and Ami Sawran, as we have a 2024 roundoff.
A year in the life of the Vet Voices On Air Podcast - Thank you all for being part of it, and we cannot wait for 2025! 
Stay tuned for more!

A Year of Vet Voices On Air

As the Kennel Club's 'Assured Breeders Scheme' closes down at the end of 2024, how do we ensure that prospective puppy owners are educated on what constitutes an ‘ethical breeder’?
Do you believe that there is such a thing as ‘ethical breeders’?
Join Veterinary Surgeons Sean McCormack and Alison Skipper, with Veterinary Voices own Robyn Lowe,  as they delve into challenging topics around the Kennel Club, pedigree dogs, health testing, societies purchase habits (sometimes compulsive, and based on aesthetic and fashionable breeds over health) and the future of puppy breeding and purchasing. 
What are the ‘green flags’ of a 'good' breeder - how do we stop the UK puppy demand supporting illegally imported puppies, or unethical and unscrupulous breeding methods and establishments or organisations? 

The Puppy Conundrum: What is Ethical Breeding?

In this podcast, Luiz Santos BVSc MSc Dip. ACVAA, presents his pioneering research into Second Victim Syndrome in the veterinary profession and his extensive knowledge on the topic in the medical field. 
In conversation with Danny Chambers and Robyn Lowe we delve into personal experiences of Second Victim Syndrome and how it can affect any one of us at any time.
Following an adverse event in practice, our focus is often on the harm done to our patient, and the negative psychological impact on the caring professionals involved are often overlooked. These psychological impacts can be severe and
long lasting and can lead to long term mental ill-health and/ or leaving the profession. 
We call this Second Victim Syndrome.
 We discuss practical ways to reduce our experiences of this and how having a superhero mentality may not always be helpful to ourselves and others around us, highlighting the importance of peer support.
If you feel you have been affected by this podcast, or that you are experiencing symptoms of Second Victim Syndrome then please contact Vetlife Helpline, available 24/7 on 0303 040 2551/ www.vetlife.org.uk
Please see the following links for more information on Second Victim Syndrome:
·   ForYOU website, providing useful information on Second Victim: https://www.muhealth.org/about-us/quality-care-patient-safety/office-of-clinical-effectiveness/foryou
·    A Youtube podcast, with Dr Susan Scott describing her extensive work with Second Victim Syndrome amongst medics: https://youtu.be/5MdvKUXZWS4
·    ‘The natural history of recovery for the healthcare provider “second victim” after adverse patient events,’ by Dr Susan
Scott: https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/18/5/325
·     ‘Medical error: the second victim,’ by Albert Wu: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1117748/

Can Being More Clark Kent, Less Superman Reduce Second Victim Syndrome?

Small animal vet and APBC registered behaviourist Sophie White (BVetMed MSc MRCVS) describes her perspective on the relationship between chronic pain and behaviour, giving some great tips to manage behavioural problems in a more simple way. In conversation with our very own Danny Chambers MP, they discuss this fascinating topic, and Danny reflects how this may relate to equine veterinary practice.
Sophie describes how she combined her passion for working with dogs experiencing chronic pain with behavioural issues after encountering problems with her own rescue dog. This
started her journey to better understand the relationship between the pain and behaviour. Now, years later in her capacity as referral behaviour specialist she reports around 50% of cases sent to her by vets are clinically unwell, with
pain the untreated root cause of the behaviour issue. This includes gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal pain. We discuss why this may be, including discussions about how pain can often be masked in the consulting room. 
We discuss the topic of euthanasia due to behaviour problems, and how a lot of guilt is often felt putting an otherwise healthy animal to sleep. We consider the animal welfare perspective, and how in order to put safe precautions in place for human safety animal welfare may be compromised, making euthanasia a better option for some animals. 
Sophie discusses the benefit of a pain relief trial of there is even a tiny chance of pain being a factor, ideally before referral to her. Pain is a subjective personal experience and cannot be ruled out. Referral is still an important thing to do, particularly when dealing with aggressive animals for safeguarding purposes, but whilst waiting to see her, patients could be undergoing a pain relief trial so the behaviour issue can be dealt with more quickly. If referral isn’t an option within the context of this client/ patient then a pain relief trial or
discussion with a veterinary behaviourist about medications such as fluoxetine, may also bring some comfort to the client that before euthanasia is considered, they have tried something for their animal.

Pain Should Be Considered As One of the Leading Factors in Behaviour Issues

***Trigger Warning***
It is important to note that this podcast discusses the
sensitive subject of veterinary mental health and suicide. If you feel affected by any of this, please contact Vetlife Helpline on 0303 040 2551 or via email: https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/
Rosie Allister and James Russell bring their wealth of
experience alongside evidence-based information about how best to talk about suicide within the veterinary profession both broadly on social media and when
engaging with vulnerable individuals. 
Robyn Lowe BSc(Hons), Dip AVN, Dip HE CVN, RVN talks to James Russell BVetMed FRCVS, president of Vetlife and Rosie Allister BSc(Hons) BVSc MSc PhD MRCVS. Rosie has extensive experience in veterinary mental health research and its implementation, including suicide prevention and postvention. She is also the Consulting Manager for Vetlife Helpline and has 20 years of experience working with Samaritans.
We discuss the importance of talking to an
individual who is experiencing mental distress about whether they want to end their life, and how by being caring and supportive in how we approach this, makes it a safe and positive thing to do.

We also talk about the impact of posting comments involving suicide online, though unintentional it can be actively damaging and may be causal to additional subsequent suicidal behaviour.
We explain the evidence base behind what is being shared
online, and discuss how improving how and what is shared can be protective for veterinary mental health and suicide.  
So, how can we talk about suicide safely? Because it is so
important to talk about it! We need to be conscious of what language we use and be careful not to minimise the cause to one specific factor. Suicide is complex and nuanced. Oversimplifying it can be linked to deaths that would not
otherwise have happened. 
We need to focus on where help can be found and that THERE IS HOPE. 
Join us in this fascinating and educational podcast to learn
how we can support and protect vulnerable individuals who may be affected by what we post online and by the media in ways that may not be easily foreseen. 
For further support following this podcast, please see the
following mental health support links: 
Vetlife:
https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/ 
Samaritans:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq_G1BhCSARIsACc7NxqOIOLmy34y3B3NcHxrJ4ff8XnjKLSYF1NDaSPsvoHe-Aq1_GC7PZcaAitZEALw_wcB

Navigating Conversations Around Suicide and the Impact of Social Media

Navaratnam Partheeban BVM&S BSc MRCVS OBE, (known as Theeb), co-founder British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (BVEDS) brings a varied background of clinical farm practice and industry including research and pharmaceuticals and a wealth of knowledge and fascination with equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the veterinary profession, alongside our very own Ami Sawran BVSc PgCertVPS CertAVP(CP) PhD FRCVS making this a must-listen podcast!
Join us as we reflect on what EDI really means, and the importance of personal introspection to consider our individual privileges and barriers to then appreciate the privileges and barriers of those around us, and how they may affect equality, diversity and inclusivity of the veterinary profession.
Though the veterinary profession and agricultural sector is improving, we are still a very un-diverse population, which needs to be recognised. We discuss simple inclusive language changes as well as easy ways to connect with clients, particularly on farm or in ambulatory practice, a technique that can help minimise the differences we may otherwise have.
Sexism is still the most reported type of discrimination both across the board and in veterinary practice, despite the feminisation of the workforce. We talk about how this can be prevented through communication, self-education and allyship. Allyship can mean different things in different scenarios. It may not always be safe to speak out, but small changes with trusted peers and loved ones, conversations with clients and good leadership are some of them. Tune in to find out more!
Want to know more? Check out the Agdiversity online awareness course for EDI by following this link:
https://www.nuffieldscholar.org/agdiversity

An Introspective Discussion About EDI in the Veterinary Profession

Picture this: you’ve just wrapped up a farm visit. The treatment plan is solid, the meds are handed over, and you drive away feeling like the hero of the day. But a week later… things haven’t gone to plan. What happened?In this episode, vet pals Danny Chambers and Dr. Gwen Rees BVSc(Hons), PhD, MRCVS unpack the story behind Gwen’s PhD research into what really happens after the vet leaves the farm. It’s a deep dive into the messy, human side of veterinary compliance—where well-intentioned plans meet the real world.Along the way, they explore the concept of main character syndrome—that little narrative glitch where we see ourselves as the protagonist in every situation—and how it might be quietly shaping how vets interact with farmers, clients, and even policymakers.With warmth, humour, and the occasional gentle roast of their own profession, Danny and Gwen explore how a more collaborative, empathetic approach could help everyone play their part better—no capes required.

Main Character Syndrome

In this podcast we hear Carrie Kearns, a Pet Bereavement Councillor, passionately advocate for those experiencing pet bereavement. In conversation with Robyn Lowe and Danny Chambers, who bring their experiences of small animal and equine euthanasia’s, Carrie Kearns ACC Dip PBC, MHS provides compassionate insight into owner experience after pet loss giving useful tips and advice to support our clients through animal euthanasia, including making the decision, the actual procedure and coping afterwards.
We discuss subjects such as disenfranchised grief, where society doesn’t allow us to validate our grief and how this can relate to losing our animals. We have a unique and special co-dependent relationship with our pets and part of ownership is a caregiving role, ensuring their needs are met, often bringing us closer together.
We talk about approaching the decision to euthanise an animal, and how we as members of the veterinary team can support owners so they do not feel alone in this. We also cover simple tips like dressing a catheter can make a big difference to owner experience. Tune in to hear more!
Carrie also highlights her role as a pet bereavement councillor, and how she may be able to assist both clients and veterinary staff. Carrie is a member of the newly launched Association of Pet Bereavement Councillors: a self-regulating body setup to acknowledge the relevance and value of pet bereavement councillors, who can provide niche client support. To become an accredited member, individuals must fulfil specific criteria, and they are listed with details of their location and credentials, so clients can pick a councillor tailored to their needs.
Please follow the following link to view this:
https://apbcounsellors.co.uk/find-a-counsellor

Bereavement: How the Loss of an Animal Companion can Impact Us

This podcast needs to be next up on your playlist! Listen in
to Robyn Lowe in conversation with Kirstie Pickles, as she shares both evidence-based and personal insight on the topic of neurodiversity within the veterinary profession. 
In open and candid conversation, Kirstie Pickles BVMS MSc PgCert(CounsSkills) PhD CertEM(IntMed) DipECEIM MRCVS describes her own later-in-life diagnosis of autism and her mental health journey before and after this. 
As many as 1 in 6 of us are thought to be neurodivergent,
making it imperative for us as a profession to be educated and aware, to be best placed to support those experiencing neurodiversity and allow them to thrive in practice.
Through her research, Kirstie found the lack of awareness of neurodiversity amongst colleagues was one of the most commonly reported stressors. To address this finding, Kirstie and a large team at Vetlife has developed a free veterinary-specific neurodiversity guidance detailing information about
different neurodivergent conditions and explaining how neurodivergent individuals both may excel and face challenges within veterinary practice and how we can implement reasonable adjustments in the workplace.  Yo can view it by following this link: 
https://www.vetlife.org.uk/neurodiversity/
This podcast discusses the new Vetlife Neurodiversity
guidance and more. We touch on the communication mismatch between neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals, the importance of being open and non-judgmental of behaviours in the workplace. 
We talk about how the stigma that surrounds neurodiversity at management level is the biggest reason for individuals not to seek help, having a negative impact on their mental health. It is jam-packed with useful, practical advice.
For further help and information, Kirstie is founder of unedited minds, which provides neurodiversity awareness training for organisations and coaching for neurodivergent individuals: 
https://uneditedminds.co.uk
Some more links for support include: 
The National Autism Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/
The Brain Charity: https://www.thebraincharity.org.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnqK1BhBvEiwAi7o0Xw7-bl52jxdQAZszrGTLX7vez0Dy65DkeV-NNKvTVD-rnwzOo7pCqhoCjsYQAvD_BwE
The British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/ 
ADHD UK: https://adhduk.co.uk/

What's The Latest on Neurodiversity Within Our Profession?

We get some top tips from financial advisor Ruth Downs and Katie Ford on how anyone can kickstart their financial planning. 
 Ruth Downs BA(Hons) DipPFS and Katie Ford BVSc(Hons)
CertAVP(SAM) PGCert MRCVS MCMA from VetYou Ltd, that offers veterinary-specific financial advice chat alongside Veterinary Voices’ Robyn Lowe BSc (Hons), Dip
AVN (Small Animal), Dip HE CVN, RVN. 
They discuss the value of financial clarity: knowing where
you are with your money, what is coming in Vs what coming out. How splitting expenditure to non-negotiable payments (like council tax) and the stuff we spend for fun, to work out what wiggle room we have and come up with a plan for
our financial future, what goals might we have and how can we achieve them. 
Starting to save can seem daunting especially in the current
financial climate where wages are not stretching as far as they used to.

Everyone is worthy of financial planning advice and to have personal goals to future proof ourselves. We talk automatic roundups, which can be organised through your bank, to put the extra pennies to one side and discuss the benefits of income protection.
If you are a vet or vet nurse experiencing concerns over
your finances you may like to contact Vetlife, who offer a dedicated financial support service:
https://www.vetlife.org.uk/vetlife-services-financial-support/

Kickstarting Financial Planning For All

Join farm vets Paul Horwood and Matt Dobbs in lively conversation about how the farm animal sector has changed dramatically over the last 25 years, embracing futuristic technology to provide comprehensive herd health advice, increasing animal welfare, productivity efficiency, profitability and sustainability.
Matt Dobbs BVM&S CertCHP MRCVS, is both farm vet and CEO of the agritech company Agsenze, has particular insight into the agritech world. In this podcast we consider how advancements in agritech relate to us as veterinarians: could AI take over our role? Or could in fact AI support vets to process diverse and large volumes of data to provide faster,
more accurate decision-making? 
In debate with Paul Horwood BVetMed DBR MRCVS, we discuss how well we are harnessing available technology in the UK, is there room for improvement to make UK farming become more efficient? 
We describe the fascinating new developments in technology that allow analysis of all aspects of herd health and discuss how prediction of production disease may
become possible. Could this allow us to initiate on farm changes before output is affected?
For more information, please see this article, ‘Agri-tech: will technology help or hinder food production and animal welfare?’: 
https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2024/05/agr-tech-will-technology-help-or-hinder-food-production-and-animal-welfare/

“Old Macdonald, AI, AI, A,” The Futuristic World of Farm Animal Medicine

Join Ami Sawran and Robyn Lowe on 04.09.24 for some update information on the most recent BTV-3 outbreaks. In this podcast we discuss historical Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Bluetongue virus surveillance and frameworks put in place to plan interventions and strategies for the next BTV outbreak, and how the current outbreak fits with what we expected.
Ami Sawran BVSc PgCertVPS CertAVP(CP) PhD FRCVS, explains the current restricted zones in East Anglia and the unexpected outbreak in Yorkshire and how the 2 different scenarios (expected/ unexpected) will be handled. For
up to date and clear representation of this, please see the APHA interactive Bluetongue virus map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=514ec88edec74575958d860f0196d2ea
How sheep, cattle and camelids present with BTV-3 is
discussed, including the high incidence of lameness. For more information on this please follow the link to an In Practice article: https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/inpr.429
Take home messages: 
·     If in doubt report it!
·     Restricted areas include Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex
·     20km restriction zone around Yorkshire outbreak
·     As BTV is circulating the UK midge population, culling is NO longer necessary
·     Treat the animal with supportive medicine including pain relief
·     Check the APHA or ring their helpline for advice
·     3 unauthorised vaccines in the pipeline, if you are interested in trialling them please get in touch 
 Where can I find support?
https://ruminanthw.org.uk/bluetongue-virus/
BTV hotline: 024 7771 0386 (chose APHA option)
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bluetongue-information-and-guidance-for-livestock-keepers

The Latest on the Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3 (BTV-3) Outbreak

In frank conversation, Liz Barton and Ami Sawran discuss the “hot” topic of the menopause. 
Do you think this podcast won’t apply to you? Think again! Every single one of us will be impacted by menopause, whether it be ourselves or our partners, colleagues and clients.
So, let’s get these menopause facts on the table. Normalise
it to break the taboo surrounding it. Did you know there are 34 listed symptoms? This makes the menopause a unique
experience for all. 75% of people will experience perimenopausal symptoms that will negatively impact them, lasting on average a whole decade.
Liz Barton MA VetMB MRCVS, co-founder of Wellvet and Vetmums and Head of Communications for VetCT describes how for her the menopause was a crouching tiger, hidden dragon, affecting her veterinary career when she wasn’t expecting it. With Veterinary Voices’ very own Ami Sawran BVSc CertAVP PGCert VPS PhD MRCVS, this podcast discusses the experiences of menopause for women in the profession and the impact it has on the profession through mental health and retention issues.  
We talk about the positive adjustments that can be made in
the veterinary workplace and Liz provides details about the first veterinary-specific menopause resources that are now freely available online through Wellvet. 
Let’s feed this tiger and let it sit quietly in the corner!
Please see free Veterinary-specific resources on: 
https://www.wellvet.co.uk/resources/menopause-resources-for-veterinary-teams/

Shhh let’s talk menopause… LOUDLY

Listen to John Chitty and Robyn Lowe chatting about their mutual love of all things guinea pig. Small animal and exotics vetJohn Chitty BVetMed CertZooMed MRCVS and Veterinary Voices' very own Robyn Lowe BSc (Hons), Dip AVN (Small Animal), Dip HE CVN, RVN tackle the common misconceptions around guinea pigs and delve into the wonderful world of cystitis. Could a holistic approach be more successful? Could reducing stress with changes in husbandry trumpantimicrobials? And are they just really cats in disguise?! Catch up on the latest tips and tricks with us.If you are as enthusiastic about small furries as these guysthis is a podcast you won’t want to miss it. Robyn and John share their wealth of experience, discussing everything from the colourful descriptions of bedding to the sludgey joys of urine!If you enjoyed this podcast and want to learn more, come tothe Guinea Pig Welfare Forum, in Birmingham on the 19th September 2024, sponsored by Burgess Pet Care! See the link to sign up: https://guineapigalliance.com/guinea-pig-welfare-forum/

Guinea Pigs: The Stress, The Squeaks and The Cystitis

Offering gold standard treatments but not getting the outcomes you would expect?We discuss the importance of contextualised care: a holistic consideration of both patient and client needs and capability.A contextualised care approach can help us provideindividuals with the right treatment for their situation, maximising client compliance and ultimately getting the best patient outcomes possible. Old friends, Dr Hannah Capon, founder of Canine ArthritisManagement (CAM) and Veterinary Voices very own Robyn Lowe RVN, use their experiences of multimodal management of osteoarthritis (OA) cases in practice to explore this fascinating topic. Their infectious mutual passion to improve client communications to enable the best patient care is hard to resist!

Is Gold Standard Always Best?

For many of us, being a veterinary surgeon or a veterinary nurse is more than just a job - it's our whole identity!
But what happens when doubts creep in, and the passion fades? 
In this episode, join Danny Chambers as he delves into the complexities of veterinary identity with Jenny Guyat from Vet Harmony.
Whether it's questioning your career path, navigating the impact of parenthood's, or just feeling stuck in a rut, you're not alone. 
Jenny shares insights on how personal development is just as crucial as clinical CPD. Together, they explore strategies for self-reflection, career pivots, and achieving a fulfilling work-life balance.
Tune in as we redefine success and uncover the keys to thriving, not just surviving, in the world of veterinary medicine.
www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts


"I’m not sure I want to be a vet anymore" - Rediscovering Your Passion

"We're concerned about the rise in self-proclaimed dog trainers on social media sharing downright dangerous misinformation."

Is it necessary to assert dominance over our dogs like a wolf pack leader? 
Should we allow a new puppy to sleep in our bedroom during their initial nights?

Tune in as Rosie Bescoby, clinical animal behaviorist and dog trainer from ⁠Pet Sense,⁠ debunks some behaviour and training myths with Danny Chambers.

Rosie shares her expertise, providing invaluable insights into responsible and effective training, and discusses the link between pain and behavioural problems.

www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts


Dog Training - Should We Be The Dominant Wolf?

"Will my dog lose his hair?"
"Should we just put him on steroids?"
Facing a cancer diagnosis in a beloved pet can be overwhelming, with owners and vets often harbouring misconceptions about the treatment journey ahead. 
In this insightful episode, vet Danny Chambers engages in a candid conversation with Aaron Harper, a specialist in veterinary oncologist at Wear Veterinary Referrals.
Together, they delve into the ethical considerations surrounding cancer treatment in companion animals, debunking prevalent myths that often cloud judgment.
Owners often ask questions like, "Will my dog lose their hair?" and "Is chemotherapy appropriate for older pets?" and we discuss these with clarity and compassion.
Join us as we navigate the ethics and practical considerations of animal cancer care, shedding light on the reality behind common misconceptions, empowering owners and veterinarians alike with accurate information and compassionate guidance.

www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts

Better Pred Than Dead? Debunking Myths in Veterinary Cancer Care

In moments of crisis, split-second decisions can make all the difference between life and death. 
But how do we equip ourselves to navigate emergencies with clarity and confidence? 
Join Danny Chambers, an emergency out-of-hours equine vet, as he delves into the art of thriving under pressure with Duana McBride, an specialist in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care from Vetled. 
Together, they explore proactive strategies for preparation, maintaining a composed mindset amidst chaos, and the implementation of effective protocols to alleviate the weight of emergencies. 
Discover invaluable insights that not only enable you to manage high-stakes situations but to find fulfillment in the process.
www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts

Thriving Under Pressure: - Decision Making During Emergencies

Is a pedigree synonymous with good health? 

In the bustling halls of Crufts 2024, where over 24,000 dogs proudly strutted their stuff, breeders, owners, the international media and dog lovers met to celebrate over 200 dog breeds. 

But amidst the glitz and glamour, there's a sobering reality. Some animal welfare advocates and veterinary professionals voiced concerns over the slow progress in breed health, questioning the decisions to crown dogs with extreme conformation as best of breed.

Our guests are Alison Skipper, who has a PhD in the history of dog breeding and who is also a member of the veterinary team at Crufts, and Sean McCormack, a media vet who is also a passionate welfare advocate.

Join Robyn Lowe and Danny Chambers in this thought-provoking debate as we navigate the complexities and nuances of pedigree, health, and ethics in the world of competitive dog breeding.

www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts


Crufts - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Did you know that a staggering 40-60% of dogs are overweight? 
In this eye-opening episode, we confront the startling statistic when we analyse 'complete' diets, only 35% of dry food and a mere 6% of wet food meet FEDIAF guidelines. 

But what about alternative diets like raw meat? Are they any better, or are they just too big a risk to human health? 

And are vegan diets actually better for sustainability?

Join Danny Chambers as he delves into the complex world of pet nutrition with Mike Davies, RCVS Specialist in Clinical Nutrition. 
www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts


Kibble, Raw or Vegan Diets - Which Is Best For Our Pets?

Why is the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigating the veterinary industry, and what exactly do they aim to uncover? 
Why are prices for veterinary treatment so emotive compared to other professions and services?
In this 20 minute chat, Paul Horwood and Danny Chambers discuss all you need to know to understand the CMA's investigation and how there may well be long-term benefits for the veterinary profession.
www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts

Are Vets Money-Grabbers? The Reasons Behind the CMA Investigation

There have been a lot of changes and challenges in the veterinary profession over the last few years - how do we best adapt to the change?

Malcolm Morley, senior BVA President, chats to Danny Chambers about the various challenges and opportunities facing the veterinary profession right now - a younger workforce requiring more flexible working patterns, Brexit, Covid, workforce shortages, the CMA review, legislation reform, and supporting women through menopause. 
More at www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts

Catalyst for Change - A Conversation with Malcolm Morley

"All I do is fight fires."
The popularity of brachycephalic dogs has soared over the past decade, and the pet owning public seem to be largely unaware of the suffering these dogs endure due to their extreme conformation. 
Why do people want to breed and own dogs born into a lifetime of suffering?
What is the effect on vets and vet nurses who have to regularly deal with the severe health problems associated with this breed?

The Veterinary Voices team Robyn Lowe and Danny Chambers chat to Dan O'Neill from the RVC and VetCompass about his new paper in the Veterinary Record 'All I do is fight fires' which explores why the veterinary profession is struggling to deal with the 'brachycephalic crisis.'

The Brachycephalic Crisis - How Should the Veterinary Profession Respond?

"Around 75- 80% of adverse outcomes in aviation are due to human factors - not due to a lack of skill or knowledge, but due to problems with communication, leadership, or decision making. This figure seems to be the same in veterinary medicine."

Dan Tipney, a former flying instructor, speaks to Danny Chambers as we unravel the benefits of integrating checklists and fostering a just culture within veterinary practices to improve patient safety and improve mental health of the veterinary team.
It's very rare that a lack of clinical knowledge or technical skill leads to complications or deaths of animals in a veterinary practice.

Dan and Danny explore real-world scenarios, such as the case of a dog being discharged from surgery without antibiotics because of the a change in a team member on that particular day, and how these situations can be avoided.

Dan Tipney is one of the team at VetLed, who believe passionately that a Human Factors approach is a significant part of a long-term and sustainable solution to the challenges that the veterinary profession faces today.

More podcasts at www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts

To Err Is Human - Unpacking Human Factors in Veterinary Care

"There's nothing selfish about prioritising your mental health because others will suffer, not just you." 
It's a shocking statistic that veterinary surgeons are four times more likely to take their own life than the national average. 
Fortunately there is support available. 
Join us as we discuss the work of the charity Vetlife, who are dedicated to providing crucial mental health support to over 4000 members of the veterinary profession every year.
Through heartfelt conversation, James Russell (President of Vetlife) and Danny Chambers (trustee of Vetlife) open up about their personal motivations and stories that led them to champion mental health support within the veterinary community, and how you can get involved. 
www.vetlife.org.uk
More at https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts


Vetlife - Mental Health Support for the Veterinary Profession

How do we protect ourselves from dog bites? 
Dog bites and attacks have been in the news more frequently over the last few months. The majority of dog bites occur in the home with dogs biting their owners or family members. 
Why would a dog bite the hand that feeds them?
According to Sophie White, a vet from Veterinary Behaviour Support, many dog bites occur because we fail to understand the warning signs.
Sophie explains to Danny that by improving our understanding of dog body language our ability to read how dogs are feeling in various situations, the majority of dog bites can be prevented altogether. 
Sophie and Danny also discuss how some common training techniques which have been popularised by social media and TV shows can actually increase dog aggression.
More at www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts




Dog Bites - Is It All A Big Misunderstanding?

We know many animal owners use alternative medicines on their animals, including homeopathy and reiki. There is also a growing anti-vaxxer movement among some pet owners. Sometimes these non-scientific beliefs can have devastating effects.

In this enlightening episode, Danny Chambers engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Michael Marshall. 

Marsh, as he is known, is a renowned campaigner on pseudoscience and advocate for evidence-based healthcare. He is Editor of the Skeptic Magazine, which has the tagline Reason with compassion, and he also serves as the Project Director of the Good Thinking Society.

Together, Danny and Marsh delve into the challenges of combating misinformation and pseudoscience within veterinary care. 

Listeners are invited to explore the detrimental effects psudeoscientific practices like homeopathy, chiropractic treatments can have on animal welfare, and how best to engage with owners who wish to use these alternative medicines.

Through candid discussions and evidence-based perspectives, we highlight the importance of upholding scientific rigor and ethical standards to ensure the veterinary profession are safeguarding the well-being of animals everywhere.

More at www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts


Tackling Quackery and Pseudoscience in Veterinary Medicine

"Imposter syndrome is often the curse of high achievers."
Despite passing all their exams and being fully qualified, many veterinary professionals feel as though they are somehow a fraud, not capable of doing their job to a high enough standard, and going to be found out.
In this humourous and personal discussion, Danny Chambers and Katie Ford discuss how vets can identify and deal with Imposter Syndrome. 
Katie Ford is a vet, a coach, and an expert in dealing with Imposter Syndrome. More info at www.katiefordvet.com and www.vetvoices.co.uk