In this episode, host Daniella dos Santos is joined by Rachel Malkani, Marie Erwood, and David Singleton from IVC Evidensia’s Research Team to discuss the vital role of research in shaping modern veterinary practice.

The conversation explores how evidence-based strategies are transforming clinical standards and advancing animal welfare. The team shares their focus for the year on responsible parasiticide usage, a crucial area for both animal health and environmental sustainability.

They also introduce the Care Frameworks—a practical tool designed to turn research findings into actionable insights for clinicians. By bridging science with practice, these frameworks aim to strengthen collaboration with pet owners and ultimately improve the standard of care for animals everywhere.

Our Guests:

Rachel Malkani 

Rachel is IVC Evidensia’s Group Clinical Research Lead. She leads on the annual research strategy, research support, and research training, and is also involved with the care frameworks and other evidence-based requests. 

Marie Erwood  

Marie a data scientist who started her career working in academic research for human health. She uses data to help measure the impact of research at IVC Evidensia and collaborate on internal and external research projects. 

David Singleton 

Davis is Group Director of Research at IVC Evidensia. He is a veterinary surgeon with a master's degree and a PhD in epidemiology and health informatics from the University of Liverpool. Collectively, he has first or co-authored over 40 publications.  

Our Host: Daniella dos Santos BSc BVetMed FRCVS  

Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College. She has since worked in first opinion, small animal and exotic pet practices across the Southeast. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever President of the British Veterinary Association, leading the profession through the height of the pandemic. During her time as President, she was instrumental in the association’s Diversity and Inclusion work, as well as the development and launch of the Good Workplaces Policy. Daniella was the recipient on the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021 for her leadership and became an RCVS Fellow in 2021 for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She is a trustee of the animal welfare charity SPANA and the PetPlan Charitable Trust. 

Powered by IVC Evidensia

At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners.

Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media.

Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.

Links

For IVC Evidensia colleagues visit the Research Hub on the Intranet

To contact the research team email: [email protected] 

In this episode, host Daniella chats with Petra Agthe about the critical concepts of civility and psychological safety in workplace settings. They emphasize the importance of creating environments where team members feel safe. The discussion extends beyond clinical settings, highlighting that psychological safety is vital for any workplace, encouraging openness and genuineness. Together, they reveal strategies to foster safe, civil workspaces.

Our Guest: Petra Agthe CertVDI DipECVDI MRCVS  

Petra spent several years in general practice before completing a residency at the University of Cambridge, gaining the European Diploma in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging in 2009. She has led the imaging team at a private multidisciplinary referral centre many years before starting her position at Southern Counties in November 2024. 

In addition to her clinical experience, she has also developed a strong interest in Human Factors, the non-clinical aspects that are important for high quality patient care. She is Chair of the Welfare Committee of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic imaging, an associate trainer for VetLed and host and co-founder of the Vet Mind Works Podcast. 

Our Host: Daniella dos Santos BSc BVetMed FRCVS 

Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College. She has since worked in first opinion, small animal and exotic pet practices across the Southeast. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever President of the British Veterinary Association, leading the profession through the height of the pandemic. During her time as President, she was instrumental in the association’s Diversity and Inclusion work, as well as the development and launch of the Good Workplaces Policy. Daniella was the recipient on the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021 for her leadership and became an RCVS Fellow in 2021 for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She is a trustee of the animal welfare charity SPANA and the PetPlan Charitable Trust. 

Powered by IVC Evidensia 

At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners. 

Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media. 

Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia. 

Links: 

Vet Mind Works podcast: https://vetmindworks.buzzsprout.com/ 

Petra Agthe LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b/  

'Keeping It Civil' Guide by the Incivility Toolkit from the University of Aberdeen https://research.abdn.ac.uk/applied-psych-hf/vit/ 

Leadership development resources: https://www.leaderfactor.com/resources 

Psych Safety newsletter, training and toolkits: https://psychsafety.com/newsletter/ 

Book recommendations: 

The Fearless Organisation by Amy Edmondson 

The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety by Timothy R Clark 

Speak Up: Say What Needs to Be Said and Hear What Needs to Be Heard by Megan Reitz and John Higgins 

This podcast episode focuses on the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) in veterinary practices. Host Daniela dos Santos speaks with Lisa Tolfree, IPC UK Manager at IVC Evidencia, highlighting the global significance of IPC in combating antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic diseases. The discussion emphasises that every member in a veterinary practice can contribute to IPC efforts and explore the balance between sustainability and maintaining high IPC standards. Through audits and structured programs, practices can measure their achievements, showing that small changes in routine can significantly impact overall health outcomes.

Our Guest: Lisa Tolfree NCert (Anaesthesia and Critical Care) Cert Ed RVN Senior Referral Nurse

Following a decade as a primary school teacher, Lisa qualified as a Registered veterinary nurse in 2008, working in a busy referrals practice in Bristol. She attained her Anaesthesia and Critical Care nursing certificate in 2010 and, following further studies into wound management and infection control, moved to Rowe Veterinary Referrals in 2012 as a Senior Veterinary Nurse. She began working centrally for IVC Evidensia in 2020 as Infection Prevention & Control Manager UK & Ireland and continue to work part time at Rowe Referrals to keep in touch with the daily challenges of practice life. 

Our Host: Daniella Dos Santos BSc BVetMed FRCVS 

Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College. She has since worked in first opinion, small animal and exotic pet practices across the Southeast. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever President of the British Veterinary Association, leading the profession through the height of the pandemic. During her time as President, she was instrumental in the association’s Diversity and Inclusion work, as well as the development and launch of the Good Workplaces Policy. Daniella was the recipient of the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021 for her leadership and became an RCVS Fellow in 2021 for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She is a trustee of the PetPlan Charitable Trust. 

Powered by IVC Evidensia 

At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners. 

Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media. 

Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia. 

Links:

Development and implementation of a structured, quantitative approach to infection prevention and control within small animal veterinary care across four different European countries: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587725001795?via%3Dihub 

 Revolution Zero: https://store.revolution-zero.com/ 

Ela Mederska, a specialist in small animal cardiology, discusses mitral valve disease, a degenerative cardiac disease prevalent in small dog breeds. The disease is categorized into stages A-D. Dogs in stage B2 benefit from Pimobendan, a drug proven to delay heart failure and for this reason early detection of stage B2 is crucial.

For general practitioners, auscultation serves as a primary diagnostic tool, but echocardiography remains definitive. The episode explores practical strategies for diagnosis and highlights the significance of appropriately timing interventions to enhance canine health outcomes and improve longevity.

Our Guest: Ela Mederska DVM CertAVP(VC) PgCert VPS AFHEA DipECVIM-CA(Cardiology) MRCVS RCVS and EBVS Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Cardiology 

Ela graduated in 2013 and spent six years in general practice, during which she completed a Certificate in Cardiology. She then undertook a rotating internship and a cardiology residency at the University of Liverpool. Ela has a strong interest in interventional cardiology and currently works as a referral cardiologist at Blaise Veterinary Referrals.  

Our Host: Daniella dos Santos BSc BVetMed FRCVS 

Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College. She has since worked in first opinion, small animal and exotic pet practices across the Southeast. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever President of the British Veterinary Association, leading the profession through the height of the pandemic. During her time as President, she was instrumental in the association’s Diversity and Inclusion work, as well as the development and launch of the Good Workplaces Policy. Daniella was the recipient on the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021 for her leadership and became an RCVS Fellow in 2021 for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She is a trustee of the animal welfare charity SPANA and the PetPlan Charitable Trust. 

Powered by IVC Evidensia 

At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners. 

Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media. 

Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.

Links:

Useful cardiology resources: https://www.iconsultvet.co.uk/resources

For clinical advice and further information about cardiology referral services at Blaise: Cardiology - Blaise Referrals

ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs - Keene - 2019 - Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine - Wiley Online Library

This podcast episode from Beyond the Clinic features a discussion between host Adam Redpath and equine medicine specialists Emma Shipman and Sarah Voss about gastric disease in horses. They discuss the significant differences in squamous and glandular diseases in terms of their etiology and management. Squamous disease is well-studied and responds to acid suppression with drugs like omeprazole. Glandular disease, less understood in its etiology, requires varied treatment strategies often tailored to the client’s abilities. The experts agree that management of these conditions requires a holistic approach; careful medication selection plus consideration of the horse's management routine, nutrition and workload.

Our Guests: 

Emma Shipman BVetMed MSc DACVIM-LAIM DipECEIM CertVA FHEA MRCVS RCVS and EBVS Recognised Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine 

Emma graduated from the RVC in 1999 and completed a residency in equine medicine at the Marion duPont Scott equine Medical Centre, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine obtaining a masters in veterinary biomedical sciences and Diplomate status of the American College of Veterinary Internal medicine. Since then she has worked in both private practice and academia, being associate professor in equine medicine at the university of Nottingham since 2021.

Sarah Voss BVMedSci (Hons) BVM BVS MVM DipECEIM FHEA MRCVS RCVS and European Equine Internal Medicine Specialist

Sarah graduated from Nottingham in 2012. She completed an internship at Oakham then spent time in equine ambulatory practice before undertaking an Equine Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Glasgow. Sarah is a European and RCVS Equine Internal Medicine specialist and has also completed a Masters by research investigating the gastric microbiota associated with gastric disease in racehorses. Sarah currently works at Oakham and is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham. 

Our Host: Adam Redpath BVMS DipECEIM MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon

Adam is a EBVS and RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine having successfully becoming an ECEIM Diplomat in 2021. He has spent the majority of his early career in clinical academic practice, having several roles at the University of Nottingham. More recently Adam has ventured into private practice having worked at both Donnington Grove and Oakham Veterinary Hospital as an equine internal medicine clinician over the past 18 months. Adam currently splits his time between his clinical role at Oakham Veterinary Hospital and as Equine Development Lead within the L&D team at IVC Evidensia. 

Powered by IVC Evidensia 

At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners. 

Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media. 

Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia. 

Links:

Oakham Veterinary hospital pages: www.oakhamvethospital.co.uk/referral/equine-referrals/referral-information4

European College of Equine Internal Medicine Consensus Statement—Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in Adult Horses https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4858038/

In this podcast episode of 'Beyond the Clinic,' we focus on sustainability within the veterinary sector. We discuss actionable steps clinics can take such as optimizing lighting and heating, adopting low-flow anesthesia techniques and switching to reusable surgical gowns to significantly cut emissions and waste. We consider how community engagement, such as sourcing old towels for kennel liners, can support collective environmental efforts. The episode serves as a robust guide for integrating sustainability into everyday veterinary practice.

Our Guest: Sarah Heath  

Sarah is Sustainability & ESG Director at IVC Evidensia and leads the development and implementation of the sustainability strategy across IVC Evidensia’s global business. Sarah joined the group in June 2021. In prior roles she was responsible for sustainability, corporate responsibility and communication strategies in international FTSE public companies including SSP Group and WH Smith. 

Our Host: Daniella dos Santos BSc BVetMed FRCVS 

Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College. She has since worked in first opinion, small animal and exotic pet practices across the Southeast. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever President of the British Veterinary Association, leading the profession through the height of the pandemic. During her time as President, she was instrumental in the association’s Diversity and Inclusion work, as well as the development and launch of the Good Workplaces Policy. Daniella was the recipient on the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021 for her leadership and became an RCVS Fellow in 2021 for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She is a trustee of the animal welfare charity SPANA and the PetPlan Charitable Trust. 

Powered by IVC Evidensia 

At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners. 

Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media. 

Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia. 

Links:  

Positive Pawprint - Our Sustainability Strategy 

Liz Cox hosts Nicola Lakeman on 'Beyond the Clinic' to explore effective strategies for discussing pet nutrition with owners. Nutrition is a sensitive topic due to its emotional ties, making it a challenging area for veterinary professionals. Nicola explains the 'change cycle' required in altering owners' beliefs about pet food, which involves seeking evidence from trusted sources and allowing time for acceptance. Highlighting renal disease as a key condition where diet significantly improves pet health, Nicola advocates for evidence-based dietary recommendations to enhance clinical outcomes and extend pet lifespans.

Our Guest: Nicola Lakeman MSc BSc(Hons) RVN VTS(Nutrition)

Nicola graduated with an honours degree in Equine Science then went on to qualify as a veterinary nurse in 2002. She gained her master’s degree in advanced veterinary nursing with Glasgow University and is a board-certified Veterinary Technician Specialist in nutrition. Nicola has written for numerous veterinary publications and textbooks and has an additional role as an editor within the veterinary sector.  Nicola has been awarded the prestigious BVNA Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year award and was this year recognised by the BSAVA for her outstanding contribution to veterinary nursing. Nicola currently works as the Nutrition Manager for IVC Evidensia.  

Our Host: Liz Cox CertSAN DipILM CertAVN (TCM) RVN

Liz is the Group Veterinary Nursing Advisor, a critical part of the delivery of a modern veterinary service and the development of our professional nursing team and complementary care providers such as our teams providing physio and hydrotherapy. Liz is a founding member of the IVC Evidensia Nurse Committee, has presented at major Veterinary Congresses and holds senior office on the RCVS Nurse Council. She has a passion for Nurse Development and training and has worked in a full range of practices from single-site to hospital practices and as a locum for Bristol Veterinary School.

Powered by IVC Evidensia

At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners.

Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media.

Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast Clinic do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.

Links:

Email Nicola at: [email protected] 

Emma Suiter, specialist in veterinary neurology, joins Daniella to discuss the complexities associated with diagnosing and treating neurological conditions in French Bulldogs. This podcast episode delves into the breed-specific challenges such as vertebral malformations. Emma shares her diagnostic strategy, emphasizing the importance of understanding a dog's history and symptoms. The discussion highlights potential surgical and non-surgical interventions and offers guidance on dealing with challenges they may arise. Emma's expertise provides valuable insights into effective management of neurological diseases in this increasingly popular breed. 

Our Guest: Emma Suiter BSc (Hons) BVetMed PGDip(VCP) MRCVS Referral Clinician in Neurology 

Emma graduated from the RVC in 2016, after which she spent 2 years in first opinion practice before undertaking a rotating internship at the University of Bristol. She completed a neurology internship, followed by a residency at Pride Veterinary Referrals. She has recently moved to Blaise Referrals in Birmingham. Her clinical interests are neurosurgery, in particular, decompressive spinal surgery and spinal stabilisation 

Our Host: Daniella Dos Santos BSc BVetMed FRCVS 

Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College. She has since worked in first opinion, small animal and exotic pet practices across the Southeast. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever President of the British Veterinary Association, leading the profession through the height of the pandemic. During her time as President, she was instrumental in the association’s Diversity and Inclusion work, as well as the development and launch of the Good Workplaces Policy. Daniella was the recipient of the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021 for her leadership and became an RCVS Fellow in 2021 for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She is a trustee of the PetPlan Charitable Trust. 

Powered by IVC Evidensia 

At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners. 

Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media. 

Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia. 

Links: 

For clinical advice and further information about neurology referral services at Blaise:https://www.blaise-referrals.com/vet-hub/our-services/neurology 

Contact Emma and the team at Blaise Referrals: [email protected] 

This podcast episode explores the current state and future potential of referral services in farm animal veterinary practice. Hosts Paul Horwood and guests Owen Jenkins and Rebecca Nelson discuss the absence of a tiered referral system that exists in small animal and equine vet practices, and the impact this has on farm veterinary services. They examine the challenges linked to the economics of veterinary care on farms, the reluctance within the sector to adopt new changes, and the existing mentality among farm vets. The conversation highlights the need to embrace opportunities for improvement in farm animal consultancy and referral systems.

Our guests:

Owain Jenkins BSc BVSc DBR MRCVS 

Owain graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2000 and began his career in mixed practice in his hometown of Dolgellau. In 2006 he moved to Delaware Veterinary Group in Somerset to focus on 100% farm work. In 2012 he gained a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction from the University of Liverpool, and became a partner at Delaware which then joined IVC in 2017. Owain was until recently Chair of our Farm Animal Clinical Board. He now focuses on his role as Clinical Director, providing a proactive service to his top-quality dairy clients. 

Rebecca Nelson BVM BVS MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon 

Rebecca graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2016 and has since worked around the UK and in New Zealand. She has completed a residency program in Bovine Health and Management at the Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group. Rebecca’s interests lie in progressive herd health. She is currently involved in developing a new veterinary consultancy service in the Midlands, Fosse Veterinary Consultancy. 

Our Host:

Paul Horwood BVetMed DBR MRCVS MBA

Paul has had a varied career so far, initially an Officer in the military, Paul left and trained as a vet, but kept his links with the military, returning to the front line in Afghanistan in 2012 with the Grenadier Guards. Paul is currently the Group Veterinary advisor for farm at IVC Evidensia. He qualified from Royal Veterinary College in 2000, and after an internship, joined Westpoint Farm Vets, becoming partner, owner and director along the way, as it grew to 25 practices across the UK. In 2015 the business was sold to Private Equity and Paul remained as Managing Director of the fam animal side of the business until 2017. Paul has a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction from Liverpool University, is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of Vetlife, is on BVA council, is a mental health first aider, is a founder of VetYou, a financial advice platform for the veterinary profession.

Powered by IVC Evidensia

At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners.

Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media.

Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.

Links

Vet Vision AI: https://www.vetvisionai.com/ 

Delaware CPD resources: Training & Resources - Delaware Farm Vets 

In this podcast episode, exotic specialist Ashton Hallworth shares her expert insights on managing common conditions affecting in rabbits. Ashton emphasizes the importance of comprehensive exams, including pain assessments and temperature checks. She details how to determine when a rabbit needs hospitalisation versus home care, and advocates for the responsible use of opioids and multimodal analgesia to effectively manage their pain and support their recovery.

Our Guest: Ashton Hollwarth BSc BVMS CertAVP (Zoo Med) MANZCVS (Avian Medicine & Surgery) DipECZM (Avian) MRCVS

Ashton graduated from Murdoch University in Western Australia. She moved to the UK and worked in small animal and exotic practice before joining the team at Great Western Exotics in 2018. She holds a CertAVP in Zoological Medicine and is an Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine. She gained membership by examination to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Surgeons chapter of Avian Medicine and Surgery in 2022 and is a diplomat of the European College of Zoological Medicine as a specialist in avian medicine and surgery.

Our Host: Daniella Dos Santos

Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College. She has since worked in first opinion, small animal and exotic pet practices across the Southeast. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever President of the British Veterinary Association, leading the profession through the height of the pandemic. During her time as President, she was instrumental in the association’s Diversity and Inclusion work, as well as the development and launch of the Good Workplaces Policy. Daniella was the recipient of the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021 for her leadership and became an RCVS Fellow in 2021 for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She is a trustee of the PetPlan Charitable Trust.

Powered by IVC Evidensia:

At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners.

Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media.

Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.

Links:

Great Western Exotics: https://www.gwexotics.com/for-vet-professionals

Rabbit Awareness Action Group: RAW Reminder | Rabbit Awareness Week

Vet Times review of Maropitant use in rabbits: https://www.vettimes.com/clinical/exotics/use-of-maropitant-in-rabbits-a-literature-review-cpdrabbits

Use of maropitant for pain management in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) undergoing elective orchiectomy or ovariohysterectomy - ScienceDirect

Comparison of 0.2 Mg/kg Vs. 1.0 Mg/kg of Oral Meloxicam for Safe and Effective Analgesia in Domestic Rabbits https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/comparison-of-02-mgkg-vs-10-mgkg-of-oral-meloxicam-for-safe-and/

Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in rabbits after oral administration of single and multiple doses: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/ajvr/74/4/ajvr.74.4.636.xml

Effects of oral Cisapride administration in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) with experimentally induced fecal output reduction: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1557506321000355