The veterinary thought exchange (vtx) was founded in 2019 by RCVS and EBVS Veterinary Specialists Scott Kilpatrick and Liz Bode. The vision for vtx is to provide high-quality, friendly veterinary CPD that both educates and inspires our colleagues, delivered in a professional and compassionate manner. Through our podcast we hope to start conversations with as many of you as possible.
Episode 60 - This one's for Dean
In this week’s episode we are talking to the incredible Jade Statt. Many of you will know Jade through her connection with StreetVet, an award-winning national charity offering free accessible vet care and services to pets belonging to those experiencing homelessness. A chance meeting with a homeless gentleman and his dog inspired co-founder Jade to take vet care out onto the streets to the people and pets that need it most. What started in 2016 as 2 vets, Jade Statt and co-founder Sam Joseph and a backpack full of veterinary supplies, is now a charity fuelled by over 500 vet and vet nurse volunteers who swap the practice for the pavement in 23 locations across the UK from Glasgow to Cornwall and growing. StreetVet recognises and champions the importance of the human-animal bond and since inception has treated over 2,500 pets. In this very special conversation, we chat to Jade about many of the amazing people she has met along the way. It all started with a dog called Brick and I am confident Okley will be looking down with pride.
For more information, please visit streetvet.org.uk
StreetVet is on Instagram (@streetvetuk_), Twitter (@streetvetuk), Facebook (@streetvet) and LinkedIn (@streetvet)
In our clinical segment, Scott starts a series of conversations about the management of acute diarrhoea in dogs and cats. Are you confident stepping away from the antibiotics?
www.vtx-cpd.com
1/26/2024 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 36 seconds
Episode 59 - Learning from loss and going for goat
In this week’s episode we are talking to Heidi and Liv. Heidi and Liv are both 3rd year vet students at the University Of Liverpool, with unique alternative entry routes. Heidi worked on a dairy farm. Liv qualified as an RVN and worked in a small animal clinic. The shared experience of parent loss has strengthened their friendship, and together with Tobias they founded the Bereaved Vet Students Group (@bereavedvetstudentsgroup) . They are on a mission to improve bereavement support, and to create a safer space within the profession for anyone coping with grief and loss.
Heidi found strength in CrossFit, and if not in the gym she can be found with her pet goats. She discusses the difficulties of being an autistic vet student, and the importance of self-acceptance to show up as your true (weird) self. Liv continues to work as an RVN around her studies and is an avid cinema goer after a long day at university. She discusses many things… including hiding in the toilet!
Heidi:
Instagram - @CrossFitVet
Liv:
Instagram - @_livfreeman_
Twitter/ X - @TheRVNVet
We are thrilled to be joined by the lovely Gemma for our clinical chat today. Scott and Gemma continue their conversation about the treatment of liver disease, with a focus on steroids and UDCA. A massive thank you to our incredible friends at Protexin for supporting this conversation:
www.protexinvet.com
www.vtx-cpd.com
11/16/2023 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 24 seconds
Episode 58 - My Veterinary Patchwork Quilt
In this week’s episode we are talking to Dr Eve Hanks. Eve is the CEO & Founder of MI:RNA. Eve is a veterinary surgeon, innovator and entrepreneur and she used her clinical and scientific background for conception, development and implementation of a novel diagnostic testing technology. Eve has created this new platform with microRNAs, having studied, researched, and published in this area for over 7 years. We talk about her career path and how all the pieces of the puzzle have come together, bringing her to where she is today. Please check out some of Eve’s amazing work:
https://mirna-diagnostics.com/en
https://www.facebook.com/MIRNADiagnostics
https://www.instagram.com/mirna_diagnostics/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mi-rna-diagnostics/
We are thrilled to be joined by the lovely Gemma for our clinical chat today. Scott and Gemma talk all things liver disease treatment, with a focus on the mystical sAME (S-Adenosyl methionine). Join us next time for the second part of this chat. A massive thank you to our incredible friends at Protexin for supporting this conversation:
www.protexinvet.com
www.vtx-cpd.com
9/13/2023 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 46 seconds
Episode 57 - Taking a leap of faith
This week we talk to the wonderful Inge Breatnach. Inge qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2007 in Dublin and spent 11 years in general practice. In 2015 she moved to a large oncology and soft tissue referral hospital and worked as a surgical oncology nurse. In 2020 she joined The Ralph veterinary referrals in Buckinghamshire and helped to establish a medical oncology service. Having completed her DipAVN in 2020, and her PgCert AVN (oncology) in 2022, she now has her sights firmly set on the oncology VTS qualification.
https://www.instagram.com/oncologyrvn/
https://twitter.com/OncologyRVN
https://www.facebook.com/oncologyRVN
In our clinical segment, we conclude our discussion about incidental liver enzyme increases. If you've enjoyed delving into this topic with us, make sure you check out our online course here:
https://vtx-cpd.com/courses/love-your-liver-liver-disease-in-dogs-and-cats-2022/
7/3/2023 • 46 minutes, 22 seconds
Episode 56 - ”If you can’t see it you can’t be it”
This week we are joined by the incredible Janika Patel. Janika is a small animal veterinary surgeon that qualified from University of Nottingham in 2017. She has worked in various practices across London and Surrey and is currently a locum around Leicestershire. She has a keen interest in internal medicine and a passion for raising awareness of issues such as racism, diversity and equality within the profession. Janika’s Instagram page @janikathevet began as a diary of her experiences as a vet and soon evolved into an inspiring space for other people of colour to join the veterinary profession.
Instagram - @janikathevet
• British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society: https://bveds.com/
• Animal Aspirations: https://www.animalaspirations.com/
• RCVS Diversity and Inclusion Working Group: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/who-we-are/committees/advancement-of-the-professions-committee/diversity-and-inclusion-working-group-dig/
• BVA Good Veterinary Workplace: https://www.bva.co.uk/media/3708/bva-position-on-good-veterinary-workplaces.pdf
• RCVS Supporting Guidance: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/supporting-guidance/veterinary-team-and-business/
In our clinical segment today Scott continues a series of discussions regarding the investigation of liver disease, especially those pesky liver enzymes. Learn more about liver disease in dogs and cats by joining our liver course:
https://vtx-cpd.com/courses/love-your-liver-liver-disease-in-dogs-and-cats-2023/
6/5/2023 • 53 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode 55 - ”Plant trees you will never see”
In this week's episode, we talk to Elly Russell from the Veterinary Defense Society (VDS). After graduating from Cambridge Vet School in 2002, Elly worked in a variety of clinical roles including small animal practice and an emergency critical care setting. In 2017 she completed her CertAVP in small animal surgery and discovered her passion for patient safety. Elly is currently undertaking a PhD researching the role communication plays in the delivery of safe, effective veterinary care. Elly is passionate about supporting vet teams and developing the communication practices they need to achieve high performance and fulfilling, happy careers.
We would like to say a huge thank you to the VDS for their support of this podcast and to Elly for this thought-provoking conversation!
https://www.vds-training.co.uk/
https://www.thevds.co.uk/
In our clinical segment today Scott starts a series of discussions regarding the investigation of liver disease, especially those pesky liver enzymes. The question is… how do you investigate these liver enzyme increases, especially those that you find incidentally! Learn more about liver disease in dogs and cats by joining our liver course :
https://vtx-cpd.com/courses/love-your-liver-liver-disease-in-dogs-and-cats-2023/
#vtx #vtx_cpd #veterinarycpd #veterinarypodcast”
5/19/2023 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 2 seconds
Episode 54 - Leading Change
In this week's episode we are talking to the incredible Helen Silver-MacMahon and Cat Auden from VetLed. We have recorded this special episode ahead of the VetLed 2023 Veterinary Human Factors Conference. We hear a lot of voices in our profession calling for change of all sorts. Maybe you are too…but how do we really do that? How can we improve things for the long-term, and not just apply ‘sticking plasters’ to problems? Hopefully this episode will help in starting to answer some of these questions! At VetLed the team passionately believe that taking a Human Factors approach to change in veterinary practice will make a fundamental difference to both the patients under our care… and the people delivering that care.
The jam-packed online two day-conference schedule features nearly 24 hours of cutting-edge CPD, and over 40 speakers with a range of diverse and highly interactive sessions from panels, discussions, lectures, key-note sessions, TED-style talks, and abstract presentations and networking:
https://www.vetled.co.uk/conference
If you are listening to this podcast after the event… do not fear! The Main Conference runs live online, but ALL content is recorded and available on replay for 6 months after conference day (23rd and 24th February 2023).
In our clinical segment this week we continue a discussion about leptospirosis with our very own Scott. This week we chat about the diagnosis and treatment of this challenging condition. To learn more about vtx and what we do, please check out our website:
www.vtx-cpd.com
2/20/2023 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 24 seconds
Episode 53 - Shelters, Surgery and Stinky
This week we talk to Dr. Kelly Gehlhaus who works in shelter medicine in Minnesota. We talk about her international studies, shelter medicine and navigating the challenges this brings for patients and their owners. We dive into finding your niche and what makes each veterinary professional individual.
Dr. Kelly Gehlhaus attended the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, graduating in 2015. Upon graduation, she moved to Utah on a whim to begin her veterinary career in small animal clinical practice at a low-cost, high-volume clinic, where she was first introduced to the spectrum of care concept. After years in Utah, her partner, a fellow vet and Dick Vet graduate, obtained a veterinary pathology residency at the University of Minnesota. A year into their life in Minnesota, and amidst a pandemic, she joined the veterinary team at Animal Humane Society's community clinic, where she is now the Managing Clinic Veterinarian. At AHS, she played a pivotal role in piloting the Community Medicine Rotation with the University of Minnesota. Her special interests are animal behaviour, internal medicine, hospice care, and strengthening the human-animal bond through veterinary medicine. She is also the mother of five fur children (three dogs and two cats) and a small human child. One of her dogs is a recent impulse adoption, and so happens to be a blind pit bull puppy! Although life and work keep her very busy, she enjoys taking time to draw and paint, go for long runs, and is an avid equestrian. One of her passion projects is breaking down breed stigmas and volunteering for the most amazing organization, known as 'My Pitbull is Family', which runs the North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center.
Animal Humane Society of Minnesota: https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/
My Pitbull is Family: https://www.mypitbullisfamily.org/
North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center: https://www.mypitbullisfamily.org/nmprc
You can also follow Kelly’s pup on Instagram and follow their journey! https://www.instagram.com/blindpittiebros/
1/3/2023 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 40 seconds
Episode 52 - From surgery to psychology: leaving expectations behind
In this week's episode, we are talking to the brilliant Liv of @vetgonereal. We talk all about her journey through veterinary medicine, from an aspiring surgeon to a qualified coach teaching veterinary teams about the power of positive psychology.
We discuss the power of divorcing the expectations we put on ourselves, and how emotions are not as simple as good and bad or positive and negative. What does it really mean to live your life with purpose and show up as your authentic self?
Liv graduated in 2016 from a university in Poland and shortly after graduation moved to the United Kingdom. Throughout her career, Liv has been mentoring and providing mental health support to her colleagues. This passion for veterinary wellbeing led her to undertake a masters degree in Applied Positive Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University.
Based on several years of veterinary and peer-support experience, combined with Positive Psychology and EQ training, Liv created the Vet Gone Real platform. Liv specialises in veterinary wellbeing and emotional intelligence. She works with both individuals and practices to help them understand how positive psychology can improve their team dynamics and improve psychological safety and build thriving workplace cultures.
You can find out more about Liv's platform Vet Gone Real below:
https://www.instagram.com/vetgonereal/
https://www.facebook.com/vetgonereal
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-oginska
https://www.vetgonereal.com/
11/4/2022 • 48 minutes, 27 seconds
Episode 51 - the good, the bad and the social media
On this week's show we are talking to Cat Henstridge, also known online at Cat the Vet. We will be talking about her life as a first opinion vet and what it is like to navigate being a vet on social media.
Cat graduated from Bristol University in 2003 and has worked ever since as a small animal vet in first opinion practice. She started her career in a hospital in Wolverhampton and after a few years left to locum in and around the West Midlands. In 2015 she moved with her family back to her home town of Sheffield where she now works part-time in an independent clinic.
Her passion is, and always has been, this profession and the people in it and after writing a website of pet advice for owners because she was frustrated at the lack of good quality information on the internet (this was a while ago, things are different now!), she started to blog and then created social media pages, both to continue to educate but also to showcase the veterinary world and combat the myths and misinformation about us. These have grown to form a significant part of her career, which she balances with her actual job, her three children and a busy family life!
https://www.facebook.com/catthevet
https://www.instagram.com/cat_the_vet
https://www.tiktok.com/@cat_the_vet
If you have any questions about the cpd material featured on today's podcast, or if you have an idea for a future episode, contact scott@vtx-cpd.com
8/8/2022 • 56 minutes, 24 seconds
Episode 50 - Microaggressions, mental health and meaning
This week on the podcast we are chatting to Daniella Dos Santos and Rosie Allister about the important topic of microaggressions.
Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012, having previously obtained a degree in molecular genetics from Kings College London. She is past President of the British Veterinary Association, during which she championed #VetDiversity, and is a vocal advocate of the importance and value of diversity, inclusion and widening participation within the veterinary profession. She led the first BVA Discrimination Survey in 2019, and has presented the work she has undertaken as BVA President to the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe. In 2021 she became a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession, and was also awarded the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021.
Rosie has received the BVA Chiron Award and RCVS Impact Award for work on veterinary mental health. Her PhD researched mental health, support and identity and how this affects veterinary wellbeing. She has substantial experience in applied suicide prevention, support, and evidence-based solutions. She combines technical and academic knowledge with a practical background in veterinary practice. Rosie manages Vetlife Helpline and volunteers with All4Paws veterinary clinic and Samaritans.
Vetlife Helpline is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential support to the veterinary community. Call 0303 040 2551 or email via www.vetlife.org.uk
https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/good-veterinary-workplaces/
#vtx #vtx_cpd #veterinarycourses #veterinarypodcast #TimeForChange #BigConversation #GoodWorkplaces
6/22/2022 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 2 seconds
Episode 49 - Are we really a product of our own success?
In this episode we are talking to the insightful Carolyne Crowe. We talk about everything from communication, managing expectations and listening. And what inspired her to run 10 marathons in 10 days! Carolyne is an equine vet, personal performance coach, mentor, international speaker, researcher and lecturer, and has a Masters degree in Workplace Health and Wellbeing. Through her role as Head of Training at the VDS, she has been able to help support professionals through non-clinical training on leadership, resilience and communication, helping workplaces and employees learn and grow in a busy and pressured environment. As a founding member of the Coach of Excellence Accreditation, Carolyne was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in 2020 for her outstanding contribution to the profession.
We would like to say a huge thank you to the VDS for their support of this podcast and to Carolyne for this inspirational conversation!
https://www.vds-training.co.uk/
https://www.thevds.co.uk/
6/8/2022 • 55 minutes, 45 seconds
Episode 48 - From clinic, communication and compassion
In this week's episode we are talking to the incredible Helen Silver-MacMahon. We talk about her expansive career as an RVN and how her intrigue in human-factors and non-technical skills have shaped her career. We discuss the importance of addressing incivility in clinical practice and the impact these behaviours can have not only on us as professionals but also to those around us including our patients!
Helen is a veterinary nurse and Research and Development Director at VetLed. Having worked in general practice, referral hospitals and nursing education over the past 21 years, she has extensive professional experience and understanding from a wide range of settings. Helen is passionate about developing the veterinary professions understanding of Human Factors as a powerful aid in improving patient safety, enhancing performance and supporting the wellbeing of the veterinary team. She is a RCVS Knowledge Champion for her role in the sustained training and use of a surgical safety checklist within the small animal theatre at the former Animal Health Trust. In 2021, Helen completed an MSc in Patient Safety and Clinical Human Factors at the University of Edinburgh. For her dissertation project Helen researched situational awareness in the veterinary operating theatre and has a special interest in non-technical skills, and has just begun a PhD to research this area. In her role at VetLed she enjoys applying this knowledge to develop and deliver professionally relevant training for all members of the veterinary team. We would like to say a huge thank you to VetLed for their support of this podcast and to Helen for this eye-opening conversation!
In our clinical segment this week we continue a discussion about feline pancreatitis with our very own Scott. This week we chat about the treatment of acute pancreatitis.
https://www.vetled.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/vetledteam/
https://www.facebook.com/VetLedteam
https://vtx-cpd.com/webinars/pancreatitis-what-the-feline-is-new/
5/5/2022 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 41 seconds
Episode 47- From sheep farming to cytology
This week we are joined by the amazing Francesco Cian. Francesco is a veterinary clinical pathologist. He qualified from University of Padua (Italy) with a DVM in 2006. He spent the next 4 years in small animal practice. In 2010, he started a residency program in Clinical Pathology at the University of Cambridge, which he finished in 2013 attaining both an ECVCP and FRCPath diploma. Francesco is passionate about teaching and has come up with lots of creating and engaging ways to share his knowledge and passion. We chat about his amazing veterinary journey that all started on a sheep farm! Make sure to check out his amazing platforms! In our clinical segment this week we start a discussion about feline pancreatitis with our very own Scott. This week we chat about the diagnostic process in this challenging cases.
www.veterinarycytology.org
https://www.instagram.com/veterinary_cytology/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VeterinaryCytology/
https://vtx-cpd.com/webinars/pancreatitis-what-the-feline-is-new/
4/1/2022 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 4 seconds
Episode 46 - Hearts, minds and cytokines
This week we are so excited to be chatting with the amazing Catherine Oxtoby. We talk about everything from hearts to minds to cytokines! Catherine qualified from Bristol Vet School in 2000 and worked in equine and small animal practice for 13 years. In June 2017 she completed a PhD at the University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, researching Patient Safety in Veterinary Practice. She currently works as a risk manager for the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS), the UK's leading veterinary professional indemnity provider. In this role, she put her research into practice developing safety systems such as VetSafe - a unique national veterinary error reporting system. We would like to say a massive thank you to the VDS for supporting this podcast.
https://www.vds-training.co.uk/
https://www.thevds.co.uk/
In our clinical segment today Scott finishes up a series of discussions regarding all things coagulation! Today we focus on treatment of coagulation disorders:
https://vtx-cpd.com/webinars/coagulation-disorders-if-you-prick-us-do-we-not-bleed/
2/18/2022 • 59 minutes, 30 seconds
Episode 45 - Vet, mum, gardener and floating fish
This week we are so excited to be chatting Dr Louisa Lane, also known as @louisa_the_vet. We talk about Louisa’s love for veterinary medicine as well as balancing life as a new mother and an aspiring gardener! Louisa talks about her love of teaching, mentoring, learning, exotic vets and floating fish. Louisa studied at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science graduating with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree and a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine degree. In 2013 she worked at a small animal hospital in Lancashire where she found her love for Internal Medicine and mentoring fellow veterinarians. After being appointed Senior Veterinary Surgeon she completed an advanced qualification in Internal Medicine achieving a post graduate certificate in Veterinary Professional Studies, and certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice in Small Animal Medicine. Louisa has a fantastic following on her social media Instagram page (@louisa_the_vet) where she shares her veterinary cases to an audience of almost 30,000. Due to the feedback she received, her passion for mentoring and inspiring others, in 2019 she launched her own veterinary mentoring programme that she runs remotely. ‘Your Vet Coach’ was set up to support vets all over the world in their transition from veterinary student to practitioner (https://www.louisathevet.co.uk/).
In our clinical segment today Scott continues a series of discussion regarding all things coagulation! Today we focus on disorders of secondary coagulation; the clotting cascade and beyond:
https://vtx-cpd.com/webinars/coagulation-disorders-if-you-prick-us-do-we-not-bleed/
1/31/2022 • 56 minutes, 31 seconds
Episode 44 - Doing the right thing?
This week we have the pleasure of talking to the amazing Cat about doing the right thing, because it is the right thing to do. Cat is a veterinary surgeon and Head of Collaboration at VetLed. After working in general practice for a number of years, Cat joined the growing team at VetLed. Keen to combine her experience in practice with a passion for optimising clinical performance, Cat now works to develop and deliver specific, industry-relevant Human Factors training for veterinary teams across the country, with a view to improving both clinical performance and patient safety. Cat is keen to see how we can grow and develop as a profession through learning from and collaborating with other caring yet safety-critical professions and has a particular interest in the concept of psychological safety in the workplace and its impact on team performance. Cat strongly believes that equipping the current generation and educating the next generation of veterinary professionals in Human Factors is essential to continuing to move forward and develop as a profession.
In our clinical segment today Scott continues a series of discussion regarding all things coagulation! Today we focus on disorders of primary coagulation, particularly immune mediated thrombocytopenia. See links to full webinars on human factors our nursing leadership course and coagulation below. Check out the HALT campaign from VetLed:
https://www.vetled.co.uk/halt
https://vtx-cpd.com/webinars/an-introduction-to-human-factors-in-veterinary-practice/
https://vtx-cpd.com/webinars/coagulation-disorders-if-you-prick-us-do-we-not-bleed/
1/17/2022 • 57 minutes, 17 seconds
Episode 43 - Putting on your own mask first
This week we have the pleasure of talking to Dan Tipney, Head of Evidence and Insights and one of the founding partners at VetLed. We discuss everything from evolution, human factors and going backwards in boats. Dan provides an array of insights into human performance gained from his perspective across numerous disciplines. Formally as an international athlete, sports coach, pilot instructor, and airline pilot, he now delivers training and support for veterinary teams. Dan led the Human Factors training programme at a major UK airline and has since developed and delivered non-clinical training to both veterinary and healthcare professionals. He represented Great Britain both as an athlete and a coach and has a great passion for supporting teams so that they can consistently achieve their goals. Across all fields Dan has consistently identified that understanding ourselves as humans, both individually and collectively is the basis delivering positive change. At VetLed, Dan collaborates with experts from veterinary medicine, aviation, psychology and healthcare training when developing training material, campaigns, patient safety tools and cultural initiatives. VetLed's mission is to enhance performance in practice through the reliable delivery of clinical skills. In our clinical segment today Scott starts a series of discussion regarding all things coagulation! Today we touch on the importance of appropriate sampling and some of the simple errors that can cause confusion. See links to full webinars on human factors and coagulation below:
https://www.vetled.co.uk/
https://vtx-cpd.com/webinars/an-introduction-to-human-factors-in-veterinary-practice/
https://vtx-cpd.com/webinars/coagulation-disorders-if-you-prick-us-do-we-not-bleed/
1/10/2022 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 11 seconds
Episode 42- It‘s never the dog‘s fault
This week we chat to the wonderful Sophie White (@veterinary_behaviour_support). We chat to Sophie about struggling to find her spot at the beginning of her career and how she finally found her place in the world of behaviour. Sophie graduated from the RVC in 2011 going on to work in a variety of small animal roles. In 2019 she completed a masters degree in Clinical Animal Behaviour from the University of Lincoln. She spent the following year gaining hands on experience working as a Training and Behaviour Advisor for Dogs Trust before founding her own company Veterinary Behaviour Support. Her particular areas of interest are dogs with human directed aggression and pets who have interlinked medical and behavioural issues.
In our clinical segment we continue series of chats about the investigation and management of lower urinary tract disease. This week Scott rounds off the discussion regarding urolith management, focusing on urate and cystine uroliths in dogs (www.vtx-cpd.com)
Veterinary Behaviour Support - Veterinary Clinical Behaviourist
ABTC – Animal Behaviour & Training Council
Home | BVBA (bvba-org.co.uk)
12/17/2021 • 53 minutes, 19 seconds
Episode 41 - Minds, bodies, souls and Vet Mums
We have a real treat for you this week. We are joined by the brilliant Liz Barton. Liz is a vet and has worked in mixed practice in the Lake District, completed a small animal internship, worked nights, has been a GP small animal vet and worked in shelter medicine. Liz co-founded WellVet as a not-for-profit initiative to increase access to wellbeing support for vet teams. She also co-founded the Vet Mums Facebook community to open up discussion around the challenges of parenting and working. She's on SPVS board as wellbeing representative, and has been involved with many organisations and groups across the veterinary industry. She found herself having to learn marketing, PR and communications for her own projects, which led to her diversifying into this as a career in 2019, alongside a period co-editing Veterinary Woman. She's now found her perfect fit as Head of Communications for VetCT, who provide specialist support for veterinary teams all over the world.
In our clinical segment we continue series of chats about the investigation and management of lower urinary tract disease. This week Scott chats through some more of the specifics regarding urolith management:
https://vtx-cpd.com/courses/lower-urinary-tract-disease-in-dogs-and-cats
www.vet-ct.com
www.wellvet.co.uk
12/9/2021 • 56 minutes, 39 seconds
Episode 40 - Just a Vet Nurse?
We are really thrilled to be joined by the amazing Fiona Marjoram (RVN & Nurse Programme Coordinator, United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland Hill's Pet Nutrition Ltd). Fiona began nursing in 1987 and qualified as a VN in 1989. She worked in veterinary practice for 13 years, during the last year of which she also worked as a veterinary nursing and animal care lecturer at the West Sussex College of Agriculture. 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. Most importantly Fiona reminds us there is no such thing as ‘just a vet nurse’ and what a powerful role nurses can have in veterinary practice today. 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?
In our clinical segment we start a series of chats about the investigation and management of lower urinary tract disease. This week Scott chats through the initial investigation of urolithiasis. We are really grateful to the wonderful folk at Hill’s Pet Nutrition (www.hillsvet.co.uk) for their support of this podcast an and our lower urinary tract disease course:
https://vtx-cpd.com/courses/lower-urinary-tract-disease-in-dogs-and-cats-taking-the-stress-out-of-the-spasm/
11/18/2021 • 59 minutes, 44 seconds
Episode 39 - The Art of Veterinary Medicine
We are so honored this week to be joined by the amazing Dr. Dennis DeNicola. He shares stories of his amazing career in veterinary medicine and reminds us all the that best advice is ‘don’t worry and be happy’. Dr. DeNicola shares his passion for clinical pathology and veterinary education as well as how he has contributed to the development of the blood machines that we have come to rely on in practice. Dr. DeNicola was a Professor of Clinical Pathology at Purdue University as well as Chief Veterinary Educator at IDEXX laboratories.
In our clinical segment we continue a series of discussions about the investigation of anaemia with our very own Scott. This week we discuss the investigation and management of non-regenerative anaemia. We want to say a massive thank you to IDEXX for their support of this podcast. For more information about IDEXX haematology:
https://www.idexx.co.uk/en-gb/veterinary/analyzers/hematology/procyte-dx-analyzer/
https://www.idexx.co.uk/en-gb/veterinary/analyzers/hematology/
Remember that their team of specialists are always on hand to chat about cases and particularly those challenging culture results. IDEXX are also kindly sponsoring our anaemia course:
https://vtx-cpd.com/courses/anaemia-in-dogs-and-cats-where-did-all-the-red-cells-go/
11/4/2021 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 2 seconds
Episode 38 - Create your community... in a flamingo onesie
In this weeks 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.vsgd.co/
https://www.facebook.com/VetsSGD
In our clinical segment we continue a series of discussions about the investigation of anaemia with our very own Scott. 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. For more information about IDEXX haematology:
https://www.idexx.co.uk/en-gb/veterinary/analyzers/hematology/procyte-dx-analyzer/
https://www.idexx.co.uk/en-gb/veterinary/analyzers/hematology/
Remember that their team of specialists are always on hand to chat about cases and particularly those challenging culture results. IDEXX are also kindly sponsoring our anaemia course:
https://vtx-cpd.com/courses/anaemia-in-dogs-and-cats-where-did-all-the-red-cells-go/
10/14/2021 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 51 seconds
Episode 37 - Are you a horse riding, tea drinking, mother of one?
This week we chat to the amazing Hannah 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 segment we continue a series of discussions about the investigation of anaemia with our very own Scott. 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. For more information about IDEXX haematology:
https://www.idexx.co.uk/en-gb/veterinary/analyzers/hematology/procyte-dx-analyzer/
https://www.idexx.co.uk/en-gb/veterinary/analyzers/hematology/
Remember that their team of specialists are always on hand to chat about cases and particularly those challenging culture results. IDEXX are also kindly sponsoring our anaemia course:
https://vtx-cpd.com/courses/anaemia-in-dogs-and-cats-where-did-all-the-red-cells-go/
10/7/2021 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 51 seconds
Episode 36 - First friends, a perfect storm and the hunger games
This week we chat about everything from the hunger games to the investigation of anaemia! Ashley 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 segment we start a series of discussions about the investigation of anaemia with our very own Scott. We want to say a massive thank you to IDEXX for their support of this podcast. For more information about IDEXX haematology:
https://www.idexx.co.uk/en-gb/veterinary/analyzers/hematology/procyte-dx-analyzer/
https://www.idexx.co.uk/en-gb/veterinary/analyzers/hematology/
Remember that their team of specialists are always on hand to chat about cases and particularly those challenging culture results. IDEXX are also kindly sponsoring our anaemia course:
https://vtx-cpd.com/courses/anaemia-in-dogs-and-cats-where-did-all-the-red-cells-go/
9/16/2021 • 1 hour, 51 seconds
Episode 35 - How resistant are you?
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. IDEXX are also kindly sponsoring our anaemia course:
https://vtx-cpd.com/courses/anaemia-in-dogs-and-cats-where-did-all-the-red-cells-go/
9/4/2021 • 55 minutes, 35 seconds
Episode 34 - Being a Beterinarian
This week 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
7/28/2021 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 27 seconds
Episode 33 - Paving your way and finding your space
This week 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.
In our clinical segment we finish off our discussion about the investigation and management of congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs and cats. 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. To learn more about the investigation and management of liver disease check out our liver course (Veterinary Thought Exchange - Love your liver: Liver disease in dogs and cats (vtx-cpd.com))
Vet Space Ireland – Entertain. Inform. Engage. Inspire.
The Vet Space Ireland Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Veterinary Thought Exchange - Homepage (vtx-cpd.com)
7/15/2021 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 26 seconds
Episode 32 - Imperfectly Perfect
This week 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 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. As part of our partnership with Vi, visit veterinary-instrumentation.co.uk and receive a 10% discount off your next order for new and existing customers, using discount code ‘VTX10’ (https://landing.veterinary-instrumentation.co.uk/Vi-VTE-Sign-Up-Page/vi%20and%20vtx%20landing%20page.html)
7/1/2021 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 40 seconds
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 (www.theempoweringrvn.co.uk - Confidential and Free Facebook Group the Unity Community).
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 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. As part of our partnership with Vi, visit veterinary-instrumentation.co.uk and receive a 10% discount off your next order for new and existing customers, using discount code ‘VTX10’ (https://landing.veterinary-instrumentation.co.uk/Vi-VTE-Sign-Up-Page/vi%20and%20vtx%20landing%20page.html)”
6/23/2021 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 17 seconds
Episode 30 - Falling in love with veterinary medicine... Down Under
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. As part of our partnership with Vi, visit veterinary-instrumentation.co.uk and receive a 10% discount off your next order for new and existing customers, using discount code ‘VTX10’ (https://landing.veterinary-instrumentation.co.uk/Vi-VTE-Sign-Up-Page/vi%20and%20vtx%20landing%20page.html)
6/17/2021 • 47 minutes, 22 seconds
Episode 29 - The Human Factors
This week 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 segment today Jon Hall is back for our chat about the medical and surgical management of 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. As part of our partnership with Vi, visit veterinary-instrumentation.co.uk and receive a 10% discount off your next order for new and existing customers, using discount code ‘VTX10’.
6/8/2021 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 34 seconds
Episode 28 - Breaking the Silence
This week 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:
Together, for every baby | Tommy's (tommys.org)
https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk”
5/19/2021 • 49 minutes, 40 seconds
Episode 27 - Family, Friendship and Fish & Chips
This week 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 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
We are thrilled that Jon will be joining us for our surgery takeover in June. To find out more please visit our website:
Veterinary CPD - Training and Continuing Personal Development for Vets (vtx-cpd.com)
5/1/2021 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 56 seconds
Episode 26 - ”An Ordinary Vet Doing Extraordinary Things”
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. We are so pleased to be joined by Sophie (Zoetis) again in our clinical 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.
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
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/new-working-group-on-bame-veterinary-student-support-holds/
VetGDP – overview of changes - Professionals
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/lifelong-learning/vetgdp/
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
4/22/2021 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 22 seconds
Episode 25 - Taking control... From Boundaries to Bartonella
This week 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. In our clinical 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
https://www.instagram.com/mentavet/
https://www.vetlife.org.uk 0303 040 2551
https://www.mind.org.uk
4/15/2021 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 23 seconds
Episode 24 - Ready, Steady, Scrape
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 episode 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
4/8/2021 • 49 minutes, 57 seconds
Episode 23 - ”A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats”
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
3/29/2021 • 45 minutes, 25 seconds
Episode 22 - Taking things two weeks at a time
This week 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.
Please visit out website for a full free access webinar on hypercalcaemia in dogs and cats:
A crisis of calcium | vtx-cpd (vtx-cpd.com)”
3/3/2021 • 47 minutes, 54 seconds
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
Check out what we do at www.vtx-cpd.com
Learn about all things cardiology by checking out our new cardiology course:
Can't Cardio On: Approach to common heart conditions in dogs and cats | vtx-cpd (vtx-cpd.com)
2/9/2021 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 9 seconds
Episode 20 - Childhood Dreams, Comedy Clubs and Cats With Clots
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 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?
www.vtx-cpd.com
FAT CAT vs SUPER CAT What’s New in FATE? | vtx-cpd (vtx-cpd.com)
1/11/2021 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 45 seconds
Episode 19 - Nutrition... how Paleo are you?
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?
www.vtx-cpd.com
www.hillsvet.co.uk
1/6/2021 • 45 minutes, 27 seconds
Episode 18 - Katie, Cobalamin and Christmas
We are so excited to welcome back Katie Ford for our Christmas podcast! We look back on the crazy year we have had and reflect on some of the great podcast chats we have had. Katie also takes some surprise questions from podcast listeners. We were also lucky enough to chat with Gemma about the wonders of cobalamin in small animal practice. It really is the vitamin that keeps on giving! Merry Christmas everyone!
Check out Katie’s amazing book at Shop | Katie Ford Ltd (katiefordvet.com)
You can find out more about the veterinary thought exchange at www.vtx-cpd.com
Check out Protexin at Protexin Veterinary | Vet Area - Protexin Vet
12/25/2020 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 42 seconds
Episode 17 - ”In a world where you can be anything, be kind”
This week we are so privileged to be joined by Rosie Allister. Rosie has received the BVA Chiron Award and RCVS Impact Award for work on veterinary mental health. Her PhD researched mental health, support, and identity and how they affect veterinary wellbeing and mental health. She has substantial experience in applied suicide prevention, support, and evidence-based solutions. She combines technical and academic knowledge with a practical background in veterinary practice and in supporting veterinary professionals. Rosie manages Vetlife Helpline and volunteers with All4Paws veterinary clinic and Samaritans.
Vetlife Helpline is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential support to the veterinary community. Call 0303 040 2551 or email via www.vetlife.org.uk
You can find out more about the veterinary thought exchange at www.vtx-cpd.com
12/8/2020 • 49 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode 16 - Kitchen Floor Moments
This week we are joined by Lacey. Born in South Wales in a small valleys town she decided to swap paths from law and followed her passion to become a veterinary nurse. Lacey has enjoyed a diverse career and has learnt to embrace the bumps in the road along the way. She currently works as a locum RVN throughout the UK. Lacey is passionate about wellness, nurse training, brachycephalic education and veterinary culture. Lacey founded veterinary pay it forward in 2018. If you only do one thing this week then check out her Facebook page and pay it forward!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/422930401517207/?ref=share
RVN Lacey (@rvnspeaks) • Instagram photos and videos
11/23/2020 • 38 minutes, 16 seconds
Episode 15 - It started with a sticker
This week we chat to Anna about her career as a vet and her amazing campaign ‘Vet Your Breasts’. It was one of those typical Fridays in the lead up to Christmas with a 4pm emergency and a late discharge. Anna just managed to get to the pool for a swim before it closed. That’s when she saw a breast cancer awareness poster in the changing room. She felt a lump in her left boob and 2 months later she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33 and life turned upside-down. If you only do one thing today ‘Vet Your Breasts’.
website: www.vetyourbreasts.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vet-Your-Breasts-108626200807292
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetyourbreasts/
gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/vetyourbreastscampaign?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1
11/17/2020 • 42 minutes, 34 seconds
Episode 14 - Pondering Pain and Paracetamol
In this episode of the veterinary thought exchange podcast, we spoke to Matt about his career and how he became one of the co-founders of The Zero Pain Philosophy… we also have a chat about analgesia and all things anaesthesia, looking at the evidence behind the use of paracetamol in dogs.
Matt is an internationally respected British anaesthetist. A specialist in anaesthesia and analgesia, Matt trained at the University of Liverpool and now works at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in the UK. Matt is passionate about pain management, lectures on the subject globally and is the author of many international anaesthesia publications. Matt is President of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia & Analgesia.
www.zeropainphilosophy.com
www.facebook.com/zeropainphilosophy
https://www.instagram.com/thezeropainphilosophy/
For more information about vtx, please visit our website: www.vtx-cpd.com
11/9/2020 • 45 minutes, 21 seconds
Episode 13 - “What Vetbytes? Bronwen, Brighton and Belize”
This week we had the privilege of chatting to Bronwen Eastwood, Co-Founder of VETbytes. We discuss Bronwen’s amazing career that has taken her from Brighton to Belize and back again! Bronwen went on to co-found VETbytes, an EBVM resource for vets working in first opinion practice, after recognising a void for a resource that provides up-to-date, evidence-based, user friendly clinical information. Alongside co-founder Zoe Coker, Bronwen co-wrote the treatment guides for the VETbytes emergency and critical care app, a subscription-based resource designed to support vets who need to keep up to date and provide an excellent service to their clients and patients. Check them out!
www.vetbytes.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/vetbytes/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetbytes/
https://twitter.com/vetbytes
https://www.instagram.com/vetbytes/
11/2/2020 • 43 minutes, 36 seconds
Episode 12 – The Problem With Poo… in a bag!
This week we are joined by Lindsay Davies RVN. Lindsay qualified as an RVN in 2017 and shortly after moved to the RVC to specialise in emergency and critical care veterinary nursing. Lindsay loves teaching and wanted to help others learn what she had, so, she created @theeccrvn on Instagram and a little while after, a CPD platform called Veterinary Webinurse. Lindsay is currently in the process of completing the Vets Now ECC Certificate and doing a study/research project on the use of bowel management systems in canine intensive care unit patients. Yes… she really does love poo in a bag!
www.instagram.com/theeccrvn
www.veterinarywebinurse.com
www.facebook.com/veterinarywebinurse
www.instagram.com/veterinarywebinurse
To find out more about vtx please visit www.vtx-cpd.com
10/19/2020 • 48 minutes, 36 seconds
Episode 11 - Who’s Coming Out? The story of the tortoise and the bowling ball
We are so excited to be talking to Jack this week about his career as a veterinary nurse. Jack qualified in 2018 and now works in emergency and critical care. Jack has many strings to his bow and chatted about his love for caring for and breeding tortoises as well his international bowling stardom!
We also chat about some of our veterinary inspirations and experiences of coming out in the workplace. Jack is also involved with the British Veterinary Nursing Association Council and is keen to promote vet nursing within the wider community and profession.
Instagram - @Pye_rvn
Facebook - @JackPyeRVN
Twitter - @PyeRVN96
www.pyervn.co.uk - Website under construction.
To find out more about vtx please visit www.vtx-cpd.com
10/12/2020 • 43 minutes, 9 seconds
Episode 10 - Dame Hayley Walters The Animal’s Princess
In this episode we talk to Hayley Walters RVN, MBE about her exciting career and the amazing adventures that she has had all around the world. Hayley talks about her love for the profession and all things animal welfare. Hayley is passionate about teaching and sharing her knowledge and she loves loves loves a ‘pain score’. Listen and find out why.
Links to some of the projects and learning materials that Hayley has been involved in creating, can be found below:
Veterinary Nursing Online Skills resource https://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/jeanne-marchig-centre/cpd/vnos
MOOC in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and The Truth About Cats and Dogs https://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/jeanne-marchig-centre/cpd/online-courses
Here at the veterinary thought exchange we like to ask #whatareyouthinking? If you have any topics you would like discussed, please drop us an email info@vtx-cpd.com
For more information about vtx, please visit our website: www.vtx-cpd.com
9/14/2020 • 46 minutes, 33 seconds
Episode 9 - ”The Story of Corona Virus and the Camper Van”
For this episode, we spoke to Simon Patchett about his veterinary career so far. Simon graduated from Nottingham Vet School in 2018 having intercalated a postgraduate certificate in veterinary education. From there he started a rotating internship in a private multidisciplinary referral hospital, upon completion joined the out of hours team there. He has since moved to a sole charge role as an out of hours vet and we chat through each of these challenges. Simon tells us how COVID effected his working pattern and the highs and lows of living in a camper van! Our clinical discussion this week is about the challenges of diagnosing and treating pancreatitis cases... would you give steroids?
For more information about vtx, please visit our website: www.vtx-cpd.com
Here at the veterinary thought exchange we like to ask #whatareyouthinking? If you have any topics you would like discussed, please drop us an email info@vtx-cpd.com
9/8/2020 • 37 minutes, 38 seconds
Episode 8 - From Patient Care to Panic Attacks!
We are so excited to catch up with Laura for the 8th episode of the podcast. We got together to chat about nursing medical outpatients, massive scary medicine exams, having panic attacks in airports, being creative in the veterinary industry and much more! Laura also produced an amazing guide to nursing the patient with chronic disease that is available on our blog https://bit.ly/33iuF3L.
Please check out her amazing website and social media platforms. So much amazing clinical information and an all-round lovely person!
www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com
Laura qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2010, gained the DipAVN in 2014 and completed a degree in advanced veterinary nursing in 2017. Laura joined a newly-opened referral centre in Hampshire in 2015, to support and develop the Internal Medicine service. Here, her passion for medical nursing grew, leading to Veterinary Technician Specialist certification in small animal internal medicine in 2019. That same year, Laura developed a social media page and website, "Veterinary Internal Medicine Nursing', to educate and inspire nurses wanting to learn about medical patients, and speaks nationally on a variety of medical nursing topics. Laura currently works at The Ralph Referral Centre, where she nurses both high-dependency and medical patients, whilst leading the team of critical care nurses, She serves on both the Feline Focus and Companion editorial board and was elected to join BVNA council this year.
8/3/2020 • 26 minutes, 49 seconds
Episode 7 - The trouble with Tramadol
In this episode of the veterinary thought exchange podcast, we spoke to Carl about his career and how he became one of the co-founders of The Zero Pain Philosophy… we also have a chat about analgesia and all things anaesthesia! Looking at the evidence behind the use of tramadol in companion animals.
Carl is an anaesthesia and analgesia specialist, has a passion for teaching and upskilling vets and vet nurses on skills to use to optimise their pain and patient management during anaesthesia and the perioperative period and beyond.
www.zeropainphilosophy.com
www.facebook.com/zeropainphilosophy
insta thezeropainphilosophy
For more information about vtx, please visit our website: www.vtx-cpd.com
7/28/2020 • 41 minutes, 32 seconds
Episode 6 - A Global One Health Vision... From Troon to Thailand
For the sixth episode of the veterinary thought exchange podcast, we spoke to Inga about her amazing career and how she has come to be one of the founders of The One Health Foundation… we also have a chat about blocked cats… obviously!
Inga is a veterinary surgeon and an animal lover at heart and she is passionate about animal welfare and conservation of the world’s habitats and species and believes that we all have a role to play and the ability to make a difference. She believes that education is key to making a long term sustainable impact to animal welfare and health in developing countries. For more in formation about The One Health Foundation:
www.theonehealthfoundation.org.uk
www.facebook.com/theonehealthfoundation (give them a like and a follow!)
For more information about vtx, please visit our website: www.vtx-cpd.com
Here at the veterinary thought exchange we like to ask #whatareyouthinking? If you have any topics you would like discussed, please drop us an email info@vtx-cpd.com
7/14/2020 • 35 minutes, 21 seconds
Episode 5 - Are you an imposter?
The fifth episode of the veterinary thought exchange podcast is a bit of a special one. Scott and Karen take some time away from the clinic to have a chat with Katie Ford about some of the challenges that the veterinary profession has when it comes to our mental health.
Katie Ford is a veterinary surgeon and mind-set coach that now works with professionals across the country to discover themselves and their potential. She trained in broadband consciousness, and has been coached for three years by Bob Proctor’s number one consultant. She is a gratitude and empathy enthusiast, regularly spreading her positive message via social media platforms and speaking events. For more information about Katie and what she does:
www.katiefordvet.com (there's a free ebook on Imposter Syndrome on the website)
www.instagram.com/katiefordvet
www.facebook.com/katiefordvet
For more information about vtx, please visit our website: www.vtx-cpd.com
Here at the veterinary thought exchange we like to ask #whatareyouthinking? If you have any topics you would like discussed, please drop us an email info@vtx-cpd.com
7/7/2020 • 40 minutes, 52 seconds
Episode 4 - ‘From Corona virus to cancer’… what’s new with lymphoma?
In the fourth episode of our podcast we will be chatting a bit more about cancer and Corona virus. This week Scott is joined by small animal oncology specialist and good friend Spela Bavcar. Spela started her veterinary career in Slovenia and made it all the way to Edinburgh with a stop off in a few other countries along the way. Scott and Spela will be having a chat about their friendship as well as some of the challenges of treating lymphoma in dogs and cats… particularly during the Corona virus pandemic. We also introduce the next edition of 'Desert Island Drugs'. The question is... if you were stranded on a desert island and could only choose to take one drug for the treatment of lymphoma in dogs and cats... which would you choose?
For more information about vtx, please visit our website: www.vtx-cpd.com
Spela has recorded a whole webinar on chemotherapy in small animal practice:
https://vtx-cpd.com/webinars/chemotherapy-in-a-nutshell-safety-protocol-drug-doses-other-considerations/
Here at the veterinary thought exchange we like to ask #whatareyouthinking? If you have any topics you would like discussed, please drop us an email info@vtx-cpd.com
6/30/2020 • 22 minutes, 50 seconds
Episode 3 - ‘What was your first impression?... from boring to best friends’.
In the third episode of our podcast we will be chatting a bit more about first impressions. vtx was founded in 2019 by RCVS and EBVS Veterinary Specialists Scott Kilpatrick and Liz Bode. Scott and Liz will be having a good old chat this week covering Liz’s amazing career and talking about how important friendships are within the veterinary profession. Liz started her veterinary career in Liverpool and made it all the way back home after her internship in Cambridge, PhD in Manchester and residency in Edinburgh! We would like to introduce the next edition of 'Desert Island Drugs'! The question is... if you were stranded on a desert island and could only choose to take one drug for the treatment of heart failure in dogs and cats... which would you choose?
For more information about vtx, please visit our website: www.vtx-cpd.com
We have lots of webinars covering heart disease in dogs and cats:
https://vtx-cpd.com/webinars/pre-clinical-mitral-valve-disease-decision-making/ (free webinar)
https://vtx-cpd.com/webinars/feline-cardiomyopathy/
Here at the veterinary thought exchange we like to ask #whatareyouthinking? If you have any topics you would like discussed, please drop us an email info@vtx-cpd.com
5/21/2020 • 11 minutes, 55 seconds
Episode 2 - ‘What is giving you an ulcer?... from omeprazole to aortic thromboembolism’.
In the second episode we are chatting a bit more about veterinary life in lockdown. Scott will be talking more about gastroprotectant medications in dogs and cats. Similar to the situation in human medicine, practice of inappropriate prescription of acid suppressants is also commonplace in veterinary medicine. We challenge the dogma and clinical practice of administering gastroprotectants for the routine management of many conditions and discuss some of the negative effects of giving omeprazole. We will also be bringing you the second edition of ‘Desert Island Drugs’ where Liz and Scott will be discussing drug choices for the management of aortic thromboembolism in cats.
For more information about vtx, please visit our website: www.vtx-cpd.com
For a full webinar on aortic thromboembolism please visit:
https://vtx-cpd.com/webinars/fat-cat-vs-super-cat-whats-new-in-fate/
We want to know #whatareyouthinking? If you have a topic you would like discussed, please drop us an email info@vtx-cpd.com