Vet Times Podcast

VN Happy Hour made a triumphant return for Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 2024, tackling the topic of parenting in the profession and asking, are we progressing? VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher was joined by a brilliant panel who shared their wisdom and candour to bring the community together and answer some tricky questions. Guests included @mortagefreeleigh – a content creator passionate about tax-free childcare and making things less overwhelming – who provided our audience with some great advice and signposting. Lianne then joined our panel of Emma Townson and Miles Asteri, both experienced RVNs who have worked in a range of roles to unpack key themes such as flexible working. Happy Hour returned with a bang and we hope you enjoy the conversation. Useful links: https://mortgagefreeleigh.com/ https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/tax-free-childcare/ https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/find-information/?information_filt

In this episode of the VN Times podcast editor Lacey discusses leaving clinical work with Sophie Giddens, a former Equine RVN who has forged a career supporting veterinary clinics while utilising many of her skills acquired in practice. Sophie reflects candidly on not necessarily having a plan which leaving a role and the power of community and networks while making career connections.

Chronic enteropathies in dogs and cats are characterised by gastrointestinal problems that manifest over a period of three weeks or longer. Dietary strategies are key, so specialist vet Cecilia Villaverde, board-certified in veterinary nutrition, runs us through some of these considerations and more in this Vet Times Podcast. Her article to accompany this podcast, “Gastrointestinal problems and latest thinking in pets”, was in Vet Times Volume 54, Issue 11, Pages 6-10 and is online now at https://bit.ly/4b9N82k •••••••••••••••••

In this VN Times Podcast, editor Lacey Pitcher RVN discusses careers with Kirsty Cavill. Kirsty has a passion for veterinary nursing that has allowed her to develop and utilise her skills in a variety of ways to not only help improve animal welfare but also provide accessible care in a variety of ways. Kirsty, an award-winning vet nurse, shares her advice and insight to help other consider how they can support and nurture the human-animal bond.

In the first of this two-part series (https://soundcloud.com/vettimesuk/vet-times-extra-test-for-success-part-1?si=a44aeb8025e747ee83d1d74885978e9e&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing) we discussed the “when” and the “why” of embedding diagnostic testing into wellness plans. This week, we welcome back Carole MacColl from IDEXX and VidiVet founder Ben Sweeney to discover “how” to make that happen. In this part, Vet Times editor James Westgate has his guests explain how practices can get started with wellness testing, and how to maintain momentum once things are up and running. He also asks how practices can convince clients that wellness testing is a worthwhile outlay, particularly in the current economic climate, and how to present a “completely normal” result to an owner in a way they do not feel the screening was a waste of money. •••••••••••••••••

This Vet Times Extra Podcast, sponsored by IDEXX, sees editor James Westgate discuss the benefits of wellness plans and the important part played by diagnostic testing in wellness clinics. To offer their expert insights, James is joined by Carole MacColl, professional services vet at IDEXX, and Ben Sweeney, vet and founder of telehealth platform VidiVet, which works increasingly with veterinary practices as part of health and wellness planning. In the first of this two-part series, topics discussed include: • What are the main benefits of wellness clinics? • Which pets benefit most? • How can wellness clinics benefit younger animals? • What should vets be looking for in wellness clinics? • What diagnostic tests should be included?  • What do we do if we find something? •••••••••••••••••

A problem in dogs and cats, as well as horses, corneal ulcers can be a common and potentially serious condition to face in general practice. Chris Dixon, clinical director at referral practice Veterinary Vision, runs through some of the considerations for the Vet Times Podcast. He wrote the article “Corneal ulcers update in canine and feline pets” in Vet Times (Volume 54, Issue 09, Pages 8-12), which is online now at https://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/corneal-ulcers-update-in-canine-and-feline-pets/ *************

On 12 March 2024, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its main concerns following an initial review into the veterinary sector, which prompted more than 56,000 responses from the UK public and veterinary industry. The body announced it had provisionally decided that it should launch a formal Market Investigation focused on its analysis of the issues in the sector, and has begun to consult on this proposal. On 19 March, Vet Times, in partnership with the BVA and CloserStill Media, gathered together a hand-picked panel of experts to dissect the CMA's investigation and discuss its implications for the professions. Vet Times editor James Westgate was joined by RCVS president Susan Paterson, BVA senior vice president Malcolm Morley, BVNA president Lyndsay Hughes and independent practice owner Kate Higgins (Village Vets Formby) to answer questions submitted by an invited audience, gain clarity and guidance on the review's implications, explore what it all means for the UK veterinary profession

In this episode, VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher welcomes experienced RVN Sara Ho-Le to discuss training, leadership and peer mentoring. Sara’s career has been varied and her passion for emergency and critical care has seen her travel to the other side of the world. Sara discusses utilising her career passport to nurse down under and how mentor nurses have shaped her career. •••••••••••••••

In the past two decades, veterinary professionals have become excellent at recognising and assessing pain in animals. Karen Walsh joins the Vet Times Podcast once more to discuss current and future analgesia developments. ••••••••••••••••

The first in a series of short webinars on recruitment topics sees Vet Times’ head of veterinary connections, Fiona Stephens, help to unravel the mysteries of writing a powerful job ad. Throughout the episode, Fiona discusses what attracts candidates, what to include and (just as importantly) what NOT to include in your job advert.​ Fiona supports her talk with some examples of successful ads, which she has made available in a PDF version of her original webinar presentation, downloadable from https://bit.ly/3IhXgtg •••••••••••••••••••••• This series, designed to help veterinary practices looking to expand their teams, continues at 8pm on 6 March 2024 with a look at whether recruiting from abroad is the right move for your practice. Register for “Is recruiting a vet from overseas right for you?” at https://bit.ly/3uSh97g

While a fundamental of dentistry, intra-oral radiography is often not a part of standard practice set up. Making a case for what that can, and should, perhaps change, Hannah van Velzen joins the Vet Times Podcast once more. Hannah’s article accompanying this podcast, “Dental radiography made easy”, is in Vet Times (Volume 54, Issue 07, Pages 6-9) and will be available soon at vettimes.co.uk Hannah graduated from the Utrecht University in the Netherlands in 2016. She worked in general practice in the UK for six years, developing a strong interest and passion for veterinary dentistry, and completing the European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies Certificate of Small Animal Veterinary Practice/Dentistry. Hannah works at Eastcott Referrals in Swindon as a resident in dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and is secretary of the British Veterinary Dental Association.

Following the success of the inaugural Vet Times Big 6 Live during the 2023 SPVS Congress, Allister Webb returns with a specially selected panel of six experts to discuss how AI will impact the veterinary world. The session considered how we can implement AI in practice, whether we can effectively regulate it, and saw panellists discuss the biggest opportunities and challenges that AI could present. Allister also opened up to the floor to delegate’s questions on this ubiquitous and evolving topic.

In this episode, VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher welcomes experienced RVN Helen Harris to discuss squiggly careers and falling back in love with veterinary nursing. Helen’s career has been varied including GP, charity and shelter medicine and now, zoo nursing. Helen discusses starting out as a veterinary nurse and how her various workplaces have shaped not only her career, but her outlook on animal welfare and veterinary medicine.

Intestinal helminths are an issue in horses, and anthelmintic resistance is an increasingly common concern for vets and equine clients to be aware of. In this Vet Times Podcast, Jacqui Matthews updates us on the latest situation. ___

In this episode, VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher welcomes experienced RVNs Jackie Hay and Michelle Barley, two of the nurses behind UK Vet Nurses Worldwide, an initiative dedicated to advancing animal care worldwide by helping facilitate skilled vet nurses sharing their knowledge and education with others to help improve animal welfare. Despite experiencing technical issues, Jackie and Michelle rallied in true vet nurse fashion to make things work – even resorting to recording the second half of our interview in a car using mobile internet (pictured) – because the conversation was too valuable not to be had. Follow UK Vet Nurses Worldwide on social media at: www.instagram.com/ukvn.ww www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554955708249 You can also support the initiative at www.gofundme.com/f/uk-vet-nurses-worldwide __

London Vet Show 2023 saw Vet Times and the Big 6 panel discuss the thorny topic of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) review of the veterinary profession, specifically focusing on the opportunities it could provide the sector. Led by Vet Times editor James Westgate, the session looked at how the professions could change for the better, with industry experts including VMG president Miles Russell, BVNA president Lyndsay Hughes, XLVets chief executive Andrew Curwen, British Veterinary Union chair Suzanna Hudson-Cooke, SPVS board chair Peter Orpin and BVA senior vice president Malcolm Morley.

In the past 30 years, veterinary understanding of ageing and age-related diseases in pets has grown considerably. To discuss some of the conditions, treatments and management strategies, Mike Davies joins the Vet Times Podcast once more. ––––––––––––––––––

In this episode, VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher talks to RVN Laura Jones, founder of www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com and veterinary technician specialist in small animal medicine. Laura is a regular speaker at many big conferences around the UK and further afield, but in this podcast we learn about the person behind the accolades and how she is sharing her passion for medicine with other nurses. ______________

In this Vet Times Extra podcast, we’re discussing pain in dogs caused by osteoarthritis. It’s a slightly different approach to podcasts you may have heard on our channel, and features a number of speakers. Charlie Richards BVetMed, PgCert, MRCVS graduated from the RVC in 2009 and subsequently worked in small animal practice in the south-east, before moving into a commercial role managing an online veterinary pharmacy in 2011. Charlie joined Boehringer Ingelheim as a brand technical advisor in 2016 and works within the pet pain and inflammation franchise. Chris Elliott BSc(Hons), (playing Alfie) trained as an optometrist, but after a career change has worked in human and veterinary pharma for the past 20+ years. He has been Boehringer Ingelheim territory manager in Northern Ireland for the past 15 years, with a focus on the company’s small animal portfolio. Tash Whitehouse BSc, (playing Willow) graduated from the University of Reading in 2020 with a BSc in Animal Science, after completing a year in industr