Beyond the Clinic - a podcast by and for vet professionals

Andy Kent, Clinical Director at the new IVC Evidensia Blaise Referral Hospital and Daniella dos Santos explore antibiotics in the treatment of gastrointestinal disease. Andy highlights the lack of evidence supporting the use of antibiotics in both acute and chronic cases.

Andy and Daniella explore the barriers faced by clinicians in reducing antibiotic use, including client expectations and a lack of understanding about the potential harm caused by these medications. Andy suggests approaches to improve client education and communication and alternative interventions.

Andy Kent:

Andy graduated from Bristol and spent time in mixed practice and then small animal practice before deciding to specialise in Small Animal Internal Medicine. He completed a residency at University of Cambridge and became a European Specialist in 2016. He joined IVC Evidensia at the start of 2023 as the Clinical Director of Blaise Veterinary Referral Hospital which opened in November.

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:

Blaise Referrals: https://www.blaise-referrals.com/

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

Paper referenced in this episode: Do antimicrobials or gastrointestinal nutraceuticals prescribed at first presentation for acute diarrhoea cause a better clinical outcome in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK? https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0291057

European Network for Optimisation of Veterinary Antimicrobial Treatment (ENOVAT) Guidelines: https://enovat.eu/link-1-wg4/

Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance (RUMA) Companion animal and equine annual progress report: https://rumacae.org.uk/first-ruma-companion-animal-and-equine-annual-progress-report-released-detailing-new-national-metrics-for-measuring-antibiotic-use-in-dogs-and-cats/

BSAVA ProtectME Poster: https://www.bsava.com/resources/veterinary-resources/protect-me/

Rachel Forster and Paul Horwood reflect on the significant reduction in antibiotic usage in farming over recent decades. Rachel discusses her work with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and the Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group, which focused on improving management practices to reduce reliance on antibiotics without compromising lamb health. She describes how education and consistent communication within farm vet teams were key.

Rachel highlights the importance of minimizing the use of High-Priority Critically Important Antibiotics (HPCIA). She shares results from the IVC Evidensia audit, noting a significant decrease in category C antibiotic use.

Looking ahead, they discuss reducing antibiotic use in mastitis and drying-off periods and emphasise the role of vaccination and other preventative measures. Rachel underscores the importance of ongoing communication, education, and support for farmers to continue this progress.

Rachel Forster:

Rachel qualified from RVC in 1997. She joined Market Vets, a mixed practice in North Devon, now part of the IVC Evidensia group. Her current role is as a senior farm vet with a strong interest in the education and training of both clients and vets within her practice and our Graduate Academy.

Rachel is a member of the Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group (SAGG) and in 2023 was awarded the RCVS Knowledge Award for antimicrobial stewardship.

Paul Horwood:

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.

Paul has a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction from Liverpool University. He's a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer for Vetlife, a member of the BVA council, mental health first aider, and the 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 Clinic do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.

Links:

The Medicines Hub: https://ahdb.org.uk/medicine-hub

Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA): https://www.ruma.org.uk

Vet IMPRESS: https://www.vetimpress.com

Published paper on the 2021/22 lambing and caesarean audit: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/knowledge-award-quality-improvement-2023-champion-ovine/

How can vet professionals best navigate challenging conversations? Daniella Dos Santos interviews Sharon Clack, Group Head of Leadership Development at IVC Evidensia. Together they explore this topic and how key it is for vet professionals to feel confident navigating these conversations effectively. Sharon emphasises the need for empathy, active listening, and finding common ground. She provides practical tips on preparing for a difficult conversation, setting a constructive tone, and reaching a meaningful outcome.

Their conversation highlights the significance of emotional intelligence and self-awareness in managing these situations. Sharon also discusses the impact of values and emotions on these interactions and suggests strategies for reframing and learning from negative outcomes.

This episode offers insightful advice and strategies for engaging in challenging conversations that foster better relationships and create positive outcomes.

Sharon Clack

Sharon is an experienced leader and group Head of Leadership Development at IVC Evidensia. She is passionate about creative and innovative ways that grow, inspire and build people's capabilities. Sharon has over 20 years of extensive experience operating in global organisations building and developing strategic leadership development solutions and supporting organisational change efforts and culture transformation.

Daniella dos Santos

Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College and has since worked in first opinion small animal and exotic pet practice 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 Clinic do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.

Host Arlene Connor and guest Helen Rooney discuss the crucial role of vet nurses in delivering safe and effective blood transfusions. Helen shares insights and recommendations for ensuring safe transfusions, including compatibility testing, proper product handling, storage of blood products, and careful delivery techniques.

Vet nurses play a key part in monitoring patients undergoing transfusions. Helen highlights the importance of vigilance post-transfusion, as delayed reactions can occur 24 hours or even days later.

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:

Pet Blood Bank UK website for guidance and step-by-step advice documents: https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/vet-professionals/i-need-advice/

NCert in Transfusion Medicine: https://improveinternational.com/uk/coursedate/ncert-vppcert-transfusion-medicine-online/

In this episode, we welcome two European Diplomats in Small Animal Surgery: Padraig Egan, from the orthopaedic referral clinic East Neuk Vets, and Scott Rutherford, the founder and Clinical Director of Frank. Pet Surgery.

Our experts discuss managing a dog’s orthopaedic health from a vet professional’s perspective throughout the dog's life. They address weight management, diet recommendations, breed-specific health considerations, exercise guidelines, and the importance of seeking early diagnosis for lame dogs.

Padraig Egan

Padraig is a European Diplomat in Small Animal Surgery. He currently works at East Neuk Vet Clinic, an orthopaedic referral clinic in rural Fife, which receives cases from all over Scotland. Padraig’s career pathway has been varied with time spent in the charity sector, as a mixed vet, and as a dedicated OOH vet followed by the specialist training pathway of internship and residency. To contact Padraig Egan regarding cases and referrals: [email protected]. To find out more about East Neuk Vet Clinic https://www.eastneukvetclinic.co.uk/.

Scott Rutherford

Scott Graduated from University of Glasgow in 2001. He gained ECVS diploma in 2013 and became RCVS recognised Specialist in Surgery in 2014. Scott is the founder and now clinical director of Frank. Pet Surgeon which joined the IVC Evidensia network in 2020. To contact Scott Rutherford regarding cases and referrals: [email protected]. To find out more about frank. Pet surgeons www.frankpetsurgeons.com

Daniella Dos Santos:

Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College and has since worked in first opinion small animal and exotic pet practice 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 Clinic do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.

Links:

East Neuk Veterinary Clinic https://www.eastneukvetclinic.co.uk/

Puppy buyers checklist from the National Animal Welfare Trust: https://www.nawt.org.uk/news/the-puppy-buyers-checklist/

Research paper discussed in this episode: Diet restriction and ageing in the dog: Major observations over two decades:https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/d iet-restriction-and-ageing-in-the-dog-major-observations-over-two-decades/3DDCC1DDF5A7D85518684AA687FBA63E

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat in both human and veterinary medicine. In this episode, equine surgeon Bruce Bladon discusses the importance of addressing antibiotic use in equine practice. Bruce considers the challenges of monitoring and reducing antibiotic use, emphasising the need for a shift in attitude towards antibiotic prescription.

Antibiotic licensing issues and the practical limitations of culture and sensitivity are explored. Bruce addresses the moral responsibility of veterinarians to use antibiotics judiciously, considering both the best interests of individual horses and the vital collective need to combat resistance. Finally, Bruce shares his views on the controversial use of enrofloxacin.

Bruce Bladon:

Bruce Bladon graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1988 and spent one year in mixed practice before moving to equine practice. In 1995 he undertook a Residency in Equine Surgery at the University of Bristol. He is now a clinical director and principal equine surgeon at Donnington Grove Equine Hospital. He became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2001 and Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2016. He will be BEVA President in 2024/25. Bruce is interested in all branches of equine surgery, particularly colic surgery, arthroscopy and fracture repair. He also has an interest in MRI and CT imaging. Bruce has published over 40 papers and has lectured around the world. He was equine surgeon at the Rio Olympic Games and the Asian Games in 2023.

Gayle Hallowell:

Gayle graduated from the University of Cambridge and then completed a rotating large animal internship and residency at the Royal Veterinary College. She then moved to the University of Nottingham to complete a PhD on the equine aortic valve and worked there until 2022 when she joined IVC Evidensia as Director of Veterinary Professional Development. She still loves working as an internal medicine and ECC specialist at Pool House Equine Hospital a day a week.

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:

Pool House Equine Hospital https://www.poolhouseequine.co.uk/

Latest VARSS Report issued by the VMD: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663373da1834d96a0aa6cfd5/2779033-v1-VARSS_2022__April_2024_Update_.pdf

BEVA ProtectME Toolkit: https://www.beva.org.uk/Guidance-and-Resources/Medicines/Antibiotics

Free access paper published in EVJ referenced in this episode: https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/evj.13988

In this episode, we welcome Dave Martin, Group Head of Animal Welfare at IVC Evidensia. Dave discusses the differences in legislation across the UK and the responsibilities of veterinary professionals when handling and treating an XL Bully. He clarifies that vets are not legally required to police the legislation and explains in detail the legal requirements for keeping XL Bully dogs.

Dave reflects on the impact of the ban on rehoming centres and the welfare of affected dogs, as well as considering whether the ban has truly reduced serious dog attacks, which often occur at home. Practical tips for veterinary teams when handling XL Bully dogs are shared and the importance of risk assessing the individual dog is emphasised. Finally, Dave discusses scenarios involving XL Bully dogs without exemption certificates and when vets should report concerns to the police.

Dave Martin:

Dave graduated from Liverpool in 1997 and has worked in mixed practice in Shropshire and North Wales ever since. He is the Group Head of Animal Welfare for IVC Evidensia and works on a wide range of projects including the IVC Evidensia Care Fund, reducing patient stress whilst visiting practices, building relationships with animal charities and supporting practices dealing with serious animal welfare challenges.

Daniella dos Santos:

Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College and has since worked in first opinion small animal and exotic pet practice 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:

Official government advice on the ban: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ban-on-xl-bully-dogs

IVC Evidensia Care Fund: https://ivcevidensia.co.uk/care-fund

IVC Evidensia Welfare contact email: [email protected]

In this episode, veterinary nurse Nicola Lakeman, Nutrition Manager for IVC Evidensia, shares tips for building confidence in the consulting room. She emphasises the importance of solid knowledge, continuous practice, observing others, and using clinical guidelines. She advises honesty with clients when feeling unsure and highlights the value of support from colleagues and the wider veterinary community.

Nicola also discusses overcoming confidence knocks, drawing on her own experience with a complaint. The episode concludes by addressing confidence challenges that can come from life events like parental leave, long-term illness, or menopause.

Nicola Lakeman:

Nicola works as the Nutrition Manager for IVC Evidensia. Nicola graduated from Hartpury College with an honours degree in Equine Science, and subsequently qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2002. Nicola has written for many veterinary publications and textbooks and is the editor of Aspinall’s Complete Textbook of Veterinary Nursing. Nicola is one of the Consultant Editors for The Veterinary Nurse. Nicola has previously won the BVNA / Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year and was this year awarded the BSAVA Outstanding Contribution to Veterinary Nursing Award. Nicola has gained her master’s degree in advanced veterinary nursing from Glasgow University; and is a board-certified Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in nutrition status.

Arlene Connor:

Arlene qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2003 and subsequently worked in a small animal practice in central Scotland. She joined Vets Now 24/7 Emergency and Specialty Hospital in Glasgow in 2013 as a surgery nurse, before becoming Clinical Nursing Manager in 2014. In 2017, Arlene took on the role of Head of Clinical Operations for Vets Now’s Referral Hospital sites across the UK, which saw her represent Referrals within VetsNow as a member of the Veterinary and Nursing Standards group and at the company’s Clinical Strategy Board. In 2021 Arlene moved over to IVC Evidensia as National Lead of Referral Nursing, within the newly created Referral Division, taking the lead on the UK’s Referral Nurse Strategy. In addition, with the rest of the National Clinical Lead team, Arlene is responsible for the clinical and professional standards within the hospital and is part of the team responsible for opening new IVC Evidensia Referral Hospitals in the U.K.

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:

IVC Evidensia Referrals https://www.ivcevidensiareferrals.com/

RCVS Guidelines: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/quality-improvement/tools-and-resources/guidelines/

RCVS Checklists: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/quality-improvement/tools-and-resources/checklists/

Vetlife: https://www.vetlife.org.uk/

In the first episode of the Beyond the Clinic podcast, host Daniella dos Santos talks with Marios Charalambous, lead author of the latest consensus statement on managing status epilepticus and cluster seizures in dogs and cats. They discuss the creation and importance of ACVIM statements in providing standardised, evidence-based clinical guidelines.

Marios highlights the importance of early intervention with benzodiazepines, the use of intranasal midazolam, and the concurrent use of levetiracetam and phenobarbitone for dogs in status epilepticus. Marios defines cluster seizures and again reiterates the importance of early intervention.

The episode provides practical tips on using intranasal midazolam and recommends use of the algorithms provided alongside the statement, when managing emergency seizures.

Marios Charalambous:

Marios Charalambous is an ABVS, EBVS and RCVS recognized specialist in veterinary neurology. He began his career with a small animal internship at Cambridge University before completing a post-graduate diploma in advanced neuroimaging at the Institute of Neurology, University College London. His career led him to Cornell University and later to Ghent University in Belgium, where he completed an ACVIM and ECVN approved residency in neurology. He went on to earn a Ph.D. at Ghent University, focusing on innovative therapies for epileptic seizure disorders. Marios is a referral neurology consultant at IVC Evidensia Blaise Referral Hospital in Birmingham and a research associate at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover (Germany).

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 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:

Blaise Referrals https://www.blaise-referrals.com/

ACVIM Consensus statement: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.16928

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

Welcome to Beyond the Clinic, a brand-new podcast by and for vet professionals. If you’re interested in hearing discussions and updates on the latest in animal care and the veterinary profession, this is the podcast for you.

We’ll be bringing you insights, information, and advice from experts with first-hand experiences and knowledge.

Hear from leading minds in the industry about the topics which matter most to them.

Looking for more from IVC Evidensia?

Visit our website ivcevidensia.co.uk, 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.