Vet Times Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep 18: Katie Fitzgerald on improving calf health Jan 10, 2020

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With additional consumer emphasis on animal welfare in the food chain, livestock vets need to be continually engaging with farmers on improving calf health matters. In this episode, Katie Fitzgerald discusses ways vets can motivate farmers on youngstock health issues. – Katie Fitzgerald graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2012 and joined a farm  practice in North Yorkshire, working with a range of dairy, beef and sheep clients. She then spent a year working at a Lancashire practice before returning to Nottingham as a resident. Katie is a director of LLM Farm Vets in Derbyshire and continues with her research into dairy cattle housing. She also sits on the BCVA board, consulting on Government policies. She was a speaker at London Vet Show in the BVA farm stream, with a session on “Engaging with farmers to improve calf health. Within this podcast, she mentions resources made available by, among others, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) [https://ahdb.org.uk], including the Calf to Calving programme [http://bit.ly/2TdYyNM].

Ep 17: Getting fit with Andy Rose and Charlie Mays Jan 03, 2020

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Andy Rose and Charlie Mays co-founded VetFit after a study at the RVC showed sport and exercise had a significant positive impact on mental well-being. – Charlie Mays and Andy Rose qualified from the RVC in 2018 and 2017, respectively, having studied two degrees together, played rugby together and lived together for seven years. While at the RVC, both developed a keen interest in mental health and the role sport and exercise can play in that. This led to a study at the RVC and, latterly, the creation of VetFit. Designed to help veterinary surgeons and nurses fit exercise into busy lives in practice, VetFit delivers tailored activity programmes designed to reduce the impacts of stress through sport, exercise and social support. For more information, visit www.getvetfit.co.uk

Ep 16: David Charles on BME role models Dec 20, 2019

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Having discussed the lessons he learned from his visit to the National Association of Black Veterinarians Conference in part one (Ep 15), David Charles considers the influence role models could have on BME students and the next generation of vets in the UK. – David Charles is senior vice-president of the Association of Veterinary Students UK and Ireland, having served as its president from 2018-19. He graduated from the University of Bristol in 2019 and works at Oakwood Veterinary Group in Norfolk. Earlier this year, he presented at the first National Association for Black Veterinarians Conference in the US to discuss barriers faced by current and potential BME veterinary students on both sides of the Atlantic. According to the latest data, Dr Charles is one of 3% of vets in the UK from black or minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds – and he said studying to become a vet in such an environment can be “challenging”. “First of all, there is the lack of BME role models in the UK for vets, vet students and aspiring vet students,” he said. “It’s very common to go through five years of training without being taught by, or seeing practice with, any BME vets. “Some students feel a sense of isolation at veterinary school – especially those where either half or the whole course is spent in a rural location, away from the mixed demographic and societies of the main university, such as those at Langford (the University of Bristol), Leahurst (the University of Liverpool) or Sutton Bonington (the University of Nottingham). “Another concern is the lack of support for BME applicants and poor guidance from vet schools for many students, while access to vet school taster courses run by universities can be difficult. “The inevitable result is often a perception that the veterinary profession is inaccessible or unwelcoming for BME school students.” The full story was published in the 16 September issue of Veterinary Times.

Ep 15: David Charles discusses diversity in the veterinary profession Dec 13, 2019

Show notes

David Charles attended the first National Association for Black Veterinarians Conference in the US. In the first of a two-part episode, he speaks to the Vet Times Podcast about the lessons he learned that could be brought back to UK practice to boost diversity in the profession. – David Charles is senior vice-president of the Association of Veterinary Students UK and Ireland, having served as its president from 2018-19. He graduated from the University of Bristol in 2019 and works at Oakwood Veterinary Group in Norfolk. Earlier this year, he presented at the first National Association for Black Veterinarians Conference in the US to discuss barriers faced by current and potential BME veterinary students on both sides of the Atlantic. According to the latest data, Dr Charles is one of 3% of vets in the UK from black or minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds – and he said studying to become a vet in such an environment can be “challenging”. “First of all, there is the lack of BME role models in the UK for vets, vet students and aspiring vet students,” he said. “It’s very common to go through five years of training without being taught by, or seeing practice with, any BME vets. “Some students feel a sense of isolation at veterinary school – especially those where either half or the whole course is spent in a rural location, away from the mixed demographic and societies of the main university, such as those at Langford (the University of Bristol), Leahurst (the University of Liverpool) or Sutton Bonington (the University of Nottingham). “Another concern is the lack of support for BME applicants and poor guidance from vet schools for many students, while access to vet school taster courses run by universities can be difficult. “The inevitable result is often a perception that the veterinary profession is inaccessible or unwelcoming for BME school students.” The full story was published in the 16 September issue of Veterinary Times.

Ep 14: David Walker talks Alabama rot and CIRD complex Dec 06, 2019

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David Walker, of Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, is leading research into cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), also known as Alabama rot. He speaks to the Vet Times Podcast about those research efforts, including the clinical signs to look out for. – CRGV was previously reported in greyhounds in the US during the 1980s and 1990s. In the UK, 193 cases have been reported in the UK, with 92% of cases coming between the months of November and May. It is often characterised by ulceration of the distal extremities in dogs, and is invariably associated with clinically significant renal azotaemia secondary to acute kidney injury. In 2018, 52 cases were confirmed in the UK, with 40 in 2017. As of the time of releasing this podcast (6 December 2019), 18 cases had been confirmed in the UK in 2019. Anderson Moores, and its owner Vets4Pets, are at the forefront of work on CRGV. Anderson Moores’ website features a veterinary information sheet [http://bit.ly/35YfNWy] that details background on the disease and guidance on how clinicians can potentially diagnose it. News stories about CRGC are also searchable at vettimes.co.uk and an update on UK cases is also available on the website at http://bit.ly/2rgaoeA David Walker, BVetMed(Hons), DipACVIM, DipECVIM-CA, FRCVS, is an RCVS, American and European board-recognised specialist in small animal internal medicine. He graduated at the RVC and completed a one-year rotating internship at its Queen Mother Hospital for Animals. After a year in first opinion practice, David returned to RVC to undertake a three-year residency in small animal internal medicine, which he completed in 2008. David passed the certifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in the same year, thus becoming an ACVIM diplomate and American-recognised specialist in small animal internal medicine. Following his residency training, David remained at the RVC as a lecturer in small animal internal medicine and has worked in private referral practice since 2009. He Anderson Moores to head the medicine service in 2011. He is interested in all aspects of internal medicine, but particularly gastroenterology and endocrinology. In 2019, David was made a fellow of the RCVS for meritorious contributions to clinical practice. Fellowship is the highest status of membership of the college and is awarded for outstanding contributions to the veterinary profession.

Vet Times Extra: Q Fever, Pt2 - management options Dec 02, 2019

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In the second of a two-part podcast series on Q fever – brought to you courtesy of Ceva Animal Health – we talk with vet Helen Scott and Kythe Mackenzie, ruminant vet adviser for Ceva Animal health, about management options for this relatively little-known zoonotic disease. – 𝗤 𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀. In some parts of the UK more than one in two farms have tested positive for exposure to the pathogen, yet many farmers remain completely unaware of the disease. Q Fever is caused by infection with the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which is an obligate intracellular pathogenic parasite; it can infect humans, cattle, goats, sheep and many other species. Infection in cattle can result in abortion, weak calves, increased RFM and also increased calving to conception time. Infected cows, even if asymptomatic, shed C. burnetii mainly through birth or abortion products, but also in vaginal mucus, faeces and milk. Q fever can also be an important zoonotic disease. Vets, farmers and other people working with livestock are at risk of infection. These podcasts will provide new insights into the diagnosis, prevalence, zoonotic potential and management of Q Fever – more information is available at bit.ly/2QmKJvd

Ep 13: Psychologist Laura Haycock on diversity and inclusion Nov 29, 2019

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Senior psychologist Laura Haycock, one of the the speakers in BVA’s #BigConversation, discusses the importance of diversity and inclusion with host Paul Imrie. – BVA launched its “Big Conversation” after a report in July revealed a quarter of vets had experienced or witnessed discrimination in 2019. [http://bit.ly/2R8aKym] The same survey revealed 56% of the profession felt concerned about discrimination and 16% of vets and vet students had personally experienced discrimination within a veterinary workplace or learning environment in the past 12 months. A session was held at BVA Congress, entitled “The value of difference: why we should all care about diversity in the workplace”. – Laura Haycock, of Oxfordshire-based Pearn Kandola [www.pearnkandola.com], graduated with a degree in experimental psychology from the University of Oxford and a masters in applied psychology from Cranfield Institute of Technology. A chartered psychologist and associate fellow of the British Psychological Society, Laura has more than 20 years of consultancy experience working with leading organisations across all aspects of talent management, including: selection and assessment; performance management; career development; employee engagement; leadership and team development; and culture change. Before joining Pearn Kandola in 2013, Laura gained extensive consultancy experience delivering selection and assessment systems, performance management, leadership and organisational development programmes to a wide range of organisations within finance, government, construction, transport, professional services and charity sectors. She is able to apply a strong academic mind to a wide range of business and HR challenges.

Ep 12: Richard Newton & Adam Rash on equine disease surveillance Nov 22, 2019

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Adam Rash and Richard Newton, of the AHT, speak to guest host Tom Jackson about 15 years of the Equine Quarterly Disease Surveillance Report – with a focus on this year’s equine flu cases. – Adam Rash is postdoctoral research scientist at the AHT, while Richard Newton is the trust’s director of epidemiology and disease surveillance. The Equine Quarterly Disease Surveillance Report is produced by Defra, the AHT and BEVA, and can be found via the AHT website (http://bit.ly/2O8VxeA) Within the latest report (http://bit.ly/35owvhj), for quarter three, an update on equine flu outbreaks in the UK and Europe is provided. It states: “The majority of outbreaks were confirmed in June and July, and this is largely thought to be due to the high mixing of horses that occurs at this time of year. “The UK saw the highest number of outbreaks and hypothesis for why this occurred is that the UK has a much lower level of vaccinated horses in comparison to Europe, with unconfirmed reports of only 30 to 40 per cent of horses being vaccinated.”

Ep 11: Valentina Busin on lambing research and prep Nov 15, 2019

Show notes

When it comes to the lambing period, preparation is key. Valentina Busin joins the Vet Times Podcast to discuss research, the importance of the knowledge exchange with farmers and important aspects of pre-lambing preparation. – Valentina Busin graduated from the University of Turin in 2007, and then worked in mixed and farm animal practice for three years. Following this, she completed a three-year farm animal residency and obtained a diploma from the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management in 2014. She then completed a PhD programme within the Moredun Research Institute and Heriot-Watt University on sheep scab diagnostics. Valentina is a university clinician in disease investigation at the University of Glasgow. Valentina wrote an article for Veterinary Times – “Pre-lambing prep – getting you and your clients ready” – that appeared in issue 49.44 (4 November issue). Within the article, she discusses how both vets and sheep farmers can prioritise to help ensure a well-planned lambing experience. It can be found online now at www.vettimes.co.uk/article/pre-lambing-prep-getting-you-and-your-clients-ready/

Vet Times Extra: Q Fever, Pt1 - introducing the disease Nov 14, 2019

Show notes

This series of two podcasts looks at Q Fever, a zoonotic disease that is relatively unknown. Brought to you courtesy of Ceva Animal Health, part one introduces the disease with part two looking at the management options. – 𝗤 𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀. In some parts of the UK more than one in two farms have tested positive for exposure to the pathogen, yet many farmers remain completely unaware of the disease. Q Fever is caused by infection with the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which is an obligate intracellular pathogenic parasite; it can infect humans, cattle, goats, sheep and many other species. Infection in cattle can result in abortion, weak calves, increased RFM and also increased calving to conception time. Infected cows, even if asymptomatic, shed C. burnetii mainly through birth or abortion products, but also in vaginal mucus, faeces and milk. Q fever can also be an important zoonotic disease. Vets, farmers and other people working with livestock are at risk of infection. These podcasts will provide new insights into the diagnosis, prevalence, zoonotic potential and management of Q Fever – more information is available at http://bit.ly/2QmKJvd

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