The Consult Room

The Consult Room

By The Consult RoomKids & FamilyPets & Animals
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The Consult Room episodes

  • Where are our Pandemic Puppies Now?
    In this enlightening episode of The Consult Room, host Dr Paul Manktelow is joined once again by renowned dog behaviourist Nigel Reed, revisiting the pressing issue of pandemic puppies and their behavioural challenges. A couple of years ago, we discussed the potential crisis facing the UK's dogs due to the lockdowns. Today, the latest research from the Royal Veterinary College confirms our fears: behavioural problems in dogs have indeed escalated. Nigel, author of the bestseller The Dog Guardian, shares his invaluable insights into the current state of dog behaviour in the UK, shedding light on the persistence of issues like separation anxiety, reactivity, and the impact of pandemic-induced isolation. 
    In this episode, we cover:
    Evolving Behavioural Issues: Insights from recent data on over 2.1 million dogs in the UK facing behavioural challenges post-pandemic.
    Revisiting Lockdown Effects: Discussion on how the lack of socialisation and the unique conditions of the pandemic lockdowns have left a lasting impact on dog behaviour.
    Behavioural Trends: Nigel Reed revisits the primary issues identified in pandemic puppies, including separation anxiety, reactivity to other dogs, and people.
    Leadership in Dog Training: Nigel discusses the concept of leadership in dog ownership, emphasising the balance between nurture and authority.
    Behavioural Solutions: Practical advice for dog owners on recognizing and addressing problematic behaviours early on.
    The Role of Dog Owners: Exploring how the changing relationship between dogs and owners over the years has influenced canine behaviour.
    Societal and Behavioural Insights: A broader look at how societal changes and attitudes towards dog training are reflecting deeper cultural shifts.
    Long-term Implications: Predictions and thoughts on the future of dog behaviour and training in the wake of the pandemic.
    Dive deep with us as we explore the multifaceted world of dog psychology, owner dynamics, and the evolving challenges faced by our four-legged friends in a post-pandemic era.
    The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering professional insights and pet support to a wide audience of pet-lovers, pet owners and veterinary professionals. Visit us at ⁠www.theconsultroom.co.uk⁠ or reach out at ⁠[email protected]⁠ for more information and support.
    47 min
  • Vets Under Pressure: The Toll of the XL Bully Ban

    In this thought-provoking episode of The Consult Room, we explore the contentious XL Bully ban that has stirred considerable debate across the veterinary and animal welfare sectors. With the legislation now in effect, making it illegal to own, breed, rehome, or sell an XL Bully without specific exemptions, the repercussions are vast and varied. This episode aims to dissect the emotional and practical implications of the ban and how it has impacted the veterinary sector.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    Introduction to the Ban: Understanding the reasons behind the swift introduction of the XL Bully ban, including public safety concerns and the legislative response to high-profile dog attacks.
    Personal Experience and Perspective: Insights from a veterinary charity sector leader on the emotional weight and complex outcomes of breed-specific legislation.
    Impact on the Veterinary Sector:

    The surge in caseloads and the logistical hurdles facing veterinary clinics.

    Ethical quandaries over euthanizing healthy animals and the veterinarian's role in legislation enforcement.

    Operational challenges, including staff shortages and resource allocation in response to the ban.
    Emotional Toll and Mental Health: The psychological impact on veterinarians tasked with euthanizing healthy animals, the distress of pet owners, and available support networks.
    The Consult Room is a space that celebrate pets and people, offering professional insights and pet support to a wide audience of pet-lovers, pet owners and veterinary professionals. Visit us at ⁠www.theconsultroom.co.uk⁠ or reach out at ⁠[email protected]⁠ for more information and support.


    31 min
  • Is the Veterinary Profession in the Depths of a Mental Health Crisis?

    Is the veterinary profession in the depths of a mental health crisis? With media headlines highlighting industry burnout, dropout and suicide, it would appear so! But what’s the truth behind these headlines and do they help - or harm?

    In this series 3 podcast from The Consult Room, Dr Paul Manktelow seeks to find answers and share support, alongside veterinary expert Rosie Allister, esteemed lecturer, international speaker and published author, who has dedicated over 10 years on this very issue. 

    Listen and learn more about:

    • What’s behind concerns about mental health in the veterinary industry?

    • The specific harm that negative narratives can cause to already-stressed veterinary professionals.

    • External influences which have had a huge impact on all veterinary practice - including Brexit, Covid, Corporate takeover and the massive surge in pet ownership.

    • Why negative narratives have a cause-and-effect when it comes to low numbers in recruitment and retention.

    • Why the unrealistic expectations and lack of understanding from some pet owners'  and baseless, vindictive complaints contribute to stress - and even suicide.

    • The awful impact of ‘vet-bashing’ and online abuse - and how this affects all veterinary professionals.

    • The statistics around suicide in the profession and the importance of striking a balance in what we talk about - and how we talk about it.

      • The podcast also shares where to find help as Rosie shares more information about the charity Vetlife and how this is literally a lifeline for veterinary professionals.

      And pet owners can get involved and help too! We’re a compassionate profession which puts pets first, so please help us by showing some compassion for our colleagues.


      The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering professional insights and pet support to a wide audience of pet-lovers, pet owners and veterinary professionals. Join us at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at [email protected] 

      58 min
    • The Practical Guide to Dog Sharing
      In this joyful episode from The Consult Room podcast series 3, Dr Paul Manktelow continues the conversation about alternative ways of owning dogs, with a specific focus on the topic of dog sharing. With plenty of personal experience of sharing his previous dog Dolly and his current dog Rodney, Paul has advice and anecdotes to share. 
      Listen to find out more about:
      How dog sharing can make dog ownership affordable.
      Why communication can be key to making a dog-share work for everyone.
      Why the temperament of the dog is so important - and how the dog’s health and well-being should be at the heart of every type of dog share.
      How sharing services like BorrowMyDoggy can help you find out if dog sharing could be the answer for that dog-shaped hole in your life.
      The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering professional insights and pet support to a wide audience of pet-lovers, pet owners and veterinary professionals. Join us at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at [email protected]
      26 min
    • Pets At Rest : Home Pet Euthanasia
      In this latest series 3 episode from The Consult Room podcast, Dr Paul Manktelow is joined by Rob Haselgrove, vet and founder of Pets at Rest, a home pet euthanasia service in Sheffield. For this podcast Paul and Rob share their collective experiences and opinions - both personal and professional - on providing pet euthanasia services at home. 
      ‌
      Listen to find out: 
      ‌
      How working in both the veterinary and the pet charity sectors has helped both Rob and Paul see clearly the need for home pet euthanasia services.
      What the benefits of a home service are for pets - and for their owners.
      Why it is now difficult for many veterinary clinics and practices to offer home euthanasia services. 
      The deeply personal reasons why Paul and Rob agree that being at home for the final rest is best.
      How the cost of living is affecting the choices some pet owners have to make when it comes to their pets' end of life.
      What Paul and Rob hope the veterinary and charity model for end-of-life pets could look like.
      Their answers to that ‘how can you do it ….?’ question.
      ‌
      The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering professional insights and pet support to a wide audience of pet-lovers, pet owners and veterinary professionals. Join us at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at [email protected]
      31 min
    • Are We Heading Towards an Antibiotics Apocalypse?
      Are we heading towards an antibiotics apocalypse? 
      Antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been a hot topic in the world of human medicine for years and it’s now recognised that the pet healthcare sector contributes to this problem. However the veterinary industry, vets and pet owners are also a huge part of the solution - as long as we all know what action to take. 
      So this series 3 podcast from The Consult Room is all about getting the message out there as Dr Paul Manktelow explores the issue with Fergus Allerton, a highly respected figure in the veterinary sector and a driving force in the fight against antibiotic resistance. 
      Listen and learn more about:
      How AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) threatens us all and ranks among the WHO’s top ten global health public health threats.
      The problems overuse of antibiotics can cause.
      Why antibiotics aren’t always the most effective treatment for treating certain conditions - and can sometimes cause bigger problems for poorly pets.
      How complex the decision-making process is for vets treating pets - and how owners can help by understanding more about antibiotics.
      Why the vet industry is working together with the world of human medicine to address the wider issues of AMR and environmental impact.
      How the PROTECT ME campaign started and its purpose in helping vets to make decisions which also support human health.
      How inappropriate disposal of antibiotics assists the rise in resistant bacteria.
      November’s Antibiotics Amnesty - how you can get involved now and for the future.
      The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering professional insights and pet support to a wide audience of pet-lovers, pet owners and veterinary professionals. Join us at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at [email protected]
      34 min
    • Do Flat Faced Dogs Have a Future?

      In this series 3 episode from The Consult Room podcast, Dr Paul Manktelow is joined by Dr Jane Ladlow, specialist veterinary surgeon and Director of Research at Cambridge University. In this in-depth discussion, they lift the lid on the controversy surrounding flat-faced dogs - those bulldog breeds that conversely top the tables as most popular but also the most unhealthy. 


      With a shared concern and love of the breeds, listen and learn as Paul and Jane delve deeper into:

      • The health issues which haunt these breeds.

      • The research, diagnostic and assessment tools that have helped breeders start to breed better bulldogs and vets to better monitor them.

      • How problems may not all be down to irresponsible breeding, but also the irresponsible influence of social media.

      • Why it is that dog owners can’t resist these breeds.

      • What you should do if you are currently considering buying a bulldog breed.


        • The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering professional insights and pet support to a wide audience of pet-lovers, pet owners and veterinary professionals. Join us at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at [email protected] 

        43 min
      • BorrowMyDoggy
        In this very first episode of The Consult Room podcast series 3, Dr Paul Manktelow is joined by Rikke Rosenlund. Rikke’s the founder of BorrowMyDoggy, the popular platform for sharing the love of dogs and, as Paul and his dog Rodney are members of BorrowMyDoggy, he and Rikke have a lot to talk about. Listen and learn as they chat and explore:
        How a brown labrador inspired BorrowMyDoggy.
        How BorrowMyDoggy has grown from a startup idea to a vast community with members in 99% of UK postcodes, in just over 10 years.
        How the service works - and who uses it.
        Why ‘meet and greet’ of people and pets is at the heart of this incredible community.
        How BorrowMyDoggy is playing a vital role in responsible dog ownership.
        The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering professional insights and pet support to a wide audience of pet-lovers, pet owners and veterinary professionals. Join us at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at [email protected]
        38 min
      • My First Year as Chief Vet at Blue Cross

        In this episode, Dr Paul Manktelow shares his thoughts on a recent special event - being in post as Director of Veterinary Services at Blue Cross for a whole year already! When this popped up on his timeline, Paul received lots of congratulations and many enquiries with that burning question ‘how’s it going?”


        So there are no guests in the podcast this time around. Instead, settle in for a solo episode as Dr Paul shares his thoughts, insights and experiences about his first year at Blue Cross. In his personal celebration of a whole year at Blue Cross, Dr Paul highlights:


        • How the pandemic, cost of living crisis and war in Ukraine have continued to have an impact on his new role at Blue Cross.

        • That recognising people as the heart of the organisation is at the heart of his leadership - and he shares the importance of this when it comes to planning.

        • Why ‘back to the floor’ days are his most recommended way for leaders to learn about all aspects of their organisation - and the teams that work inside them.

        • Why getting people to ‘stay in their lanes’ is one of Paul’s favourite phrases and how it’s been a real focus in his first year.

        • How focusing on wellbeing in the veterinary industry is having a positive impact on recruitment and retention at Blue Cross.


          • Dr Paul also reveals what’s been achieved in this first year, what’s currently in development and exciting information about what’s coming next.


          Whether your interest in Dr Paul is as a pet professional, a pet owner or a pet lover, to stay updated with new podcasts, please SUBSCRIBE and visit https://theconsultroom.co.uk

          29 min
        • How I Ended Up With A Bra Full Of Puppies… And Other ‘Tails’ From Animal A&E

          In this episode, Dr Paul Manktelow is joined by Annie Clark, Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Nurse for over 15 years, for some behind the scenes insights into their experiences of working in veterinary emergencies. 

          Paul and Annie share thoughts on how the system for out-of-hours emergency pet care has changed in the years since they qualified and they swap some amazing stories which reveal some of the best, most varied and definitely unexpected aspects of pet emergency care. 


          Topics include:


          • What’s great about working in emergency care and why most vets don’t want to do it anymore

          • The switch to outsourced emergency care at night - better for rotas but worse for skill sharpening?

          • The ‘rite of passage’ night shifts which used to greet new pet health professionals when starting out in vet practice.

          • What’s so special - and different - about teamwork in animal A&E.


            • Plus you’ll hear about a variety of hilarious real-life cases which include: 


            • A foul-mouthed nipple biting parrot

            • A frog emergency in which the police had to get involved

            • How Annie ended up with a bra full of puppies

            • The puppy that transformed into a completely new species of animal


              • The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering professional insights and pet support to a wide audience of pet-lovers, pet owners and veterinary professionals. Join us at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at [email protected] 

              49 min

            About The Consult Room

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            The Consult Room is the podcast that explores the evolving world of modern pet care.