Welcome to the first episode of Season Two of The Underdog Vet Podcast!

Kicking off this brand new season and the first Animal Advocate Interview of season two, I spoke with Dr Jade Statt a veterinary surgeon and the Clinical Director and Co-Founder of the UK charity Street Vet.

Street Vet is a multi-award-winning charity that delivers free essential veterinary care and services to the pets of people experiencing homelessness across the UK. Working in combination with the critical support of a host of renowned organisations backing their team of qualified professional volunteers, Street Vet is changing the future for homeless dogs who may otherwise have to go without the care they need and deserve.

Jade spoke about the steep learning curve she had when she started working with dogs of those experiencing homelessness. We also discussed the barriers that having a dog on the streets presents. And finally we chatted about how the amazing human-animal bond between a dog and their owner can be so much more profound and complex for those experiencing homelessness.

Links:

Street Vet Website: https://www.streetvet.co.uk/

Street Vet Accredited Hostel Scheme: https://www.streetvet.co.uk/streetvet-accredited-hostel-scheme/

Street Vet Email: [email protected]

Do Something For Nothing Website: https://www.dosomethingfornothing.org/

Andy and Bailey on Channel Four News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUaEDuxAVhY

Street Vet Ambassador Sabrina Cohen-Hatton: https://www.streetvet.co.uk/our-ambassadors/

Welcome to this episode of The Underdog Vet Podcast! Sadly, this is the last episode of Season One but worry not, Season Two is already being recorded!

For the final episode of Season One I have an absolute treat for you dear listener, for this season’s last instalment of The Animal Advocate Interviews I spoke to veterinary neurologist Professor Clare Rusbridge.

Clare graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1991.  After completing an Internship in America and a Residency back in the UK, she became the youngest Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Neurology in 1996 and then an RCVS Specialist in 1999. Treating animals with painful and/or distressing inherited disease drives her research to find a better way of diagnosing, treating and preventing these conditions.

Clare is currently a Senior Neurologist at Wear Referrals, a Professor in Veterinary Neurology at the University of Surrey, a Patron of the Cavalier Matters Charity and a Trustee of the Dog Breeding Reform Group charity. Clare and I had an interesting discussion about some common neurological conditions that certain dog breeds suffer and what can be done about them, including if it’s even possible to eradicate them from these breeds. Clare also told me about the exciting and frankly fascinating research she’s currently working on to improve dog health and welfare.

Clare said A LOT of fancy words, I've explained a few here:

Neotinisation: Selectively breeding dogs to retain 'cute' juvenile features in ADULT dogs, making them look more baby-like, humans find these appealing

Caudal facet hypoplasia/Wobbler's Disease/Atlantoaxial subluxation: Congenital vertebral malformations (https://www.cave-vet-specialists.co.uk/veterinary-professionals/tips-from-our-experts/congenital-vertebral-malformations-in-dogs)

Stop: The stop is the degree of angle change between the skull and the nasal bone near the eyes

Links:

Clare's website: https://veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/ 

Syringomyelia: https://veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/Syringomyelia/

FAQ Page of Clare's Website: https://www.veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/page60/

Pug Myelopathy: https://veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/canine-degenerative-myelopathy/

Dishevelled Gene: https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/bulldogs-screw-tails-linked-human-genetic-disease

Chondrodystrophy and Chondrodysplasia: https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/cddy-cdpa

Intervertebral Disc Disease Information: https://www.veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/spinal_disorders/Spinal_Disorder_1/

Dog Breeding Reform Group Website: https://www.dbrg.uk/

Dr Rowena Packer research on Dachshunds: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0069650

VIDEO - Symptoms of Syringomyelia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDjxvgfUVRU

Welcome to this episode of The Underdog Vet Podcast!

For this episode’s ‘Animal Advocate Interview’ I spoke with Shena Humbert a licensed Veterinary Technician in Texas, USA and founder of 'Not Another Vet Nurse'.

Founded in 2019, Not Another Vet Nurse is an American non-profit organisation whose aim is to help those who help animals. They focus on providing financial assistance to veterinary nurses and other veterinary professionals worldwide, allowing them to access vital mental health resources such as counselling.

I started by asking Shena why she felt the need to form an organisation such as hers. We discussed the current mental health crisis that the veterinary profession is experiencing globally and we then explored in more detail the unique issues that affect veterinary staff in particular and how they impact their mental health. 

Links:

Not Another Vet Nurse Website: https://notanothervetnurse.wixsite.com/navn

Report on Puppy Jaxx and The Maine Veterinary Medical Centre: https://www.dvm360.com/view/veterinary-hospital-reports-threats-over-puppy-s-emergency-case

Maine Veterinary Medical Centre Statement: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1973706302821071&set=pcb.1973706416154393

UK RCVS Veterinary Graduate Development Programme (VetGDP): https://www.rcvs.org.uk/lifelong-learning/vetgdp/

VetLife Helpline Website: https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/

VetLife Helpline Telephone (UK ONLY): 0303 040 2551

Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA ONLY): 1-800-273-8255

Welcome to this episode of The Underdog Vet Podcast!

In this episode’s Animal Advocate Interview, I spoke with Wendy Barnett DipAVN (Surgical) RVN PCQI, Founder and Clinical Director of The Pet Blood Bank UK.

Launched in 2007, The Pet Blood Bank UK was set up to support vets by providing a blood service for pets in need of blood transfusions and other blood products such as plasma. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure blood is always available to pets who may need it.

Wendy explained why the service was originally set up and how it works, including what makes a good donor dog, what a donating session involves and how vets can access the service should they have a canine patient that needs a blood transfusion. Wendy also spoke about how Covid-19 and the lockdowns affected the pet blood service and I asked about the ethics of taking blood from dogs when they technically can’t consent to such a procedure. 

Wendy used some terms that some people may not be familiar with so I've explained them here:

Colostrum - the antibody-rich first milk produced from the mother’s mammary glands during the first few days after having given birth

Mucus Membrane colour - the colour of your dog's gums and inside lips should be a nice salmon pink colour, the Chow Chow has naturally pigmented or dark coloured mucus membranes

PVC (Packed Cell Volume) - Percentage of cells in a blood sample used to assess for aneamia

TS (Total Solids) - Used to assess for any protein loss

Centrifuge - Used to spin blood samples to separate its constituent parts

Links: 

The Pet Blood Bank UK Website: https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/

Pet Blood Bank Telephone Number: 01509 232 222

Dog Blood Types: https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/pet-owners/dog-blood-donation/dog-blood-types/

Can your dog be a donor?: https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/pet-owners/dog-blood-donation/can-your-dog-donate-blood/

Veterinary Profession - How To Order Blood: https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/vet-professionals/i-need-blood-products/

Volunteer: https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/get-involved/volunteering/

Donate: https://petbloodbankuk.enthuse.com/donate#!/

Alpaca Blood Information: https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/pet-owners/alpaca-blood-processing/

Welcome to this episode of The Underdog Vet Podcast!

In this episode's 'Animal Advocate Interview' I spoke with Dr Rowena Packer BSc (Hons) PhD PGCert(VetEd) FHEA from The Royal Veterinary College here in the UK. Rowena is a Lecturer and researcher in Companion Animal Behaviour & Welfare Science.

Rowena has published extensively on the effect body shape of some dogs has on their health and welfare and lectures student vets and nurses at The Royal Veterinary College in Hertfordshire.

Rowena and I discussed her latest research about Pugs that suggests they can no longer be considered a typical dog, why they are still so popular despite being one of the unhealthiest breeds of dog and we consider if our love of certain dog breeds might actually be killing them.

We mentioned a few terms some people may not be familiar with so I've explained them here:

Toad Lines: Bulldogs deliberately bred with extremely deformed body shapes

BOAS: Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome Phenotypic variation/diversity: The variation in physical appearance within a population of animals

fMRI: Functional magnetic resonance imaging is used to see which areas of the brain are active during certain activities

Dystocia: Difficulty during the birthing process

Disc extrusion: Herniation of the intervertebral disc in the spine

Hansen type-I disc extrusion: A specific type of disc extrusion, most common type seen in dachshunds

Paresis: Limb weakness caused by nerve damage

Homozygous: Describes genetic conditions inherited from both the mother's and father's genes

Hemilaminectomy: A surgical procedure used to correct herniated discs in the thoracolumbar spine

Links:

Rowena's latest research on Pugs: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/news/new-research-shows-pugs-have-high-health-risks-and-can-no-longer-be-considered-a-typical-dog-from-a-health-perspective

BOAS Information: https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/brachycephalic-upper-airway-obstruction-syndrome-fact-sheet/

Brachycephalic Working Group: http://www.ukbwg.org.uk/

Cambridge Veterinary School BOAS Research: https://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/boas/about-boas/recognition-diagnosis

RVC's Brachycephalic Clinic: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/small-animal-vet/specialist-referrals/advanced-techniques/brachycephaly-expertise

RVC Vet Compass: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass

Lafora Disease in Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds: https://www.dachshundhealth.org.uk/lafora-disease

WARNING - THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES THE SUBJECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING RAISED IN THE TALK, PLEASE USE THE LINKS PROVIDED IN THE EPISODE TEXT.

Welcome to this episode of The Underdog Vet Podcast!

In this episode’s Animal Advocate Interview, I spoke with Sarah Petrov, a Regional Manager for The Dog’s Trust’s Freedom Project.

Launched in 2004, The Freedom Project is a free dog fostering service for people leaving domestic violence situations and going into refuges where, sadly, their dogs aren’t allowed.

The service has recently reached the impressive milestone of helping more than 2,000 dogs. Currently operating in 29 counties across Greater London and the Home Counties, East Anglia, Yorkshire, the North East, the North West, and the whole of Scotland, it aims to one day cover the whole of the UK.

Sarah and I talked about why The Freedom Project consider themselves another emergency service, the lengths the team go to to protect the safety of both the dogs and their owners and what you can expect if you join their fostering network.

Links:

The Freedom Project: http://www.moretodogstrust.org.uk/freedom-project/freedom-project

Volunteer with The Freedom Project: http://www.moretodogstrust.org.uk/volunteer/volunteer

Freedom Project video: https://youtu.be/S9BUuzBpPAM

Endeavour Pet Fostering Project: https://www.endeavourproject.org.uk/services/pet-fostering/

Cats Protection Paws Protect Fostering Program: https://www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/paws-protect

The Links Group: https://thelinksgroup.org.uk/

National Domestic Abuse Helpline Website (Refuge): https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ Telephone: 0808 2000 247

Welcome to this episode of The Underdog Vet Podcast!

In this episode's Animal Advocate Interview, I spoke to veterinary dermatologist Millie Rosales DVM, DACVD.

Dr Rosales is a board certified veterinary dermatologist, specializing in the care of animals with skin and ear disorders. Since one of the main causes for skin and ear problems in dogs and cats is allergies, she also specialises in allergic disorders of animals.

Dr Rosales runs a specialist veterinary practice in Miami, Florida where she and her team help relieve pets of some truly uncomfortable conditions.

Millie and I spoke about why it's so important for owners to have a good understanding of the commonest dermatology condition in dogs, when is the right time to take your dog to the vet and why managing skin conditions in pets can be very frustrating for all concerned!

Millie and I mentioned lots of terms some people may not be familiar with, so I have explained them here:

Atopic Dermatitis: Atopic dermatitis is an allergic skin disease affecting both dogs and cats. The exact cause or development of atopic dermatitis is not fully understood but it is currently thought that affected animals are genetically predisposed and as a result, they have an exaggerated immune response and defective skin barrier. A poor skin barrier allows easy penetration of bacteria/yeast (naturally residing on the skin) and environmental allergens (such as pollens and mites) and consequently, these “foreign invaders” exacerbate the detrimental cycle of skin inflammation and feeling itchy.

Interleukin31 (Canine IL-31): A substance in the immune system of dogs that contributes to them feeling itchy.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD): Some cats' immune systems have an exaggerated response to the saliva of fleas and so when they are bitten by fleas they can react and causes the cat to scratch excessively causing scabs on the skin, often along the middle of the back, along with thin or missing fur.

Vestibular: If the inner ear becomes infected animals can develop Vestibular Syndrome, more information here: https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/vestibular-syndrome-in-dogs-and-cats-fact-sheet/

Allergens: Substances that trigger an allergic reaction.

Hypoallergenic food: Foods made using proteins whose molecules have been broken down into smaller chains that are less likely to cause allergies and intolerances.

Hydrolysed food: Foods made using proteins whose molecules have been broken down into single components by hydrolysis. Due to the breakdown, the dog's body is no longer able to recognize the proteins contained in its food as foreign and potentially allergenic substances so unlikely to cause allergies and intolerances.

Links:

Millie's Veterinary Practice Website (in Miami, Florida, USA): https://miamivetderm.com/

Atopic Dermatitis Info for owners: https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/treatment-of-atopic-dermatitis-in-dogs-and-cats/

Allergies in Dogs and Cats - More Information for owners: https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/allergies-in-cats-and-dogs/

Welcome to this episode of The Underdog Vet Podcast!

In this episode's Animal Advocate Interview, I chatted with my friend, fellow veterinary surgeon, passionate animal welfare campaigner and author Emma Milne!

Emma has been a familiar face in UK homes since the late 1990s when she appeared in the hugely popular BBC 1 programme ‘Vets in Practice’. Since then, Emma has used the platform her fame has provided to advocate, educate and campaign to improve the welfare of animals. She’s campaigned on many topics from hunting with dogs and tail docking to horse welfare, but her main driving force is pedigree animal health. 

Emma and I discussed why it’s so important that pet owners know the fundamental welfare needs of their pets, how breeding pedigree dogs can sometimes have disastrous adverse effects on their welfare and why it’s so important for those of us in the veterinary profession to continue to raise our voices on inflammatory animal welfare issues, despite the backlash they may get for doing so.

In our chat Emma and I mentioned lots of areas that some people may not be familiar with so I've provided more info here:

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS): https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/brachycephalic-upper-airway-obstruction-syndrome-fact-sheet/

Hip Scores: https://www.bva.co.uk/canine-health-schemes/hip-scheme/

Hip Dysplasia: https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/hip-dysplasia-fact-sheet/

Mitral Valve Disease in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/degenerative-valve-disease-mitral-valve-disease-fact-sheet/

Rabbit Dental Information: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-health/illness/dental-problems/

Links:

Emma's Website: https://www.emmathevet.co.uk/

PDSA PAW Report: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/pdsa-animal-wellbeing-report

IFAW Website: https://www.ifaw.org/uk

Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/

Puppy Contract: https://puppycontract.org.uk/

Leishmaniasis Fact Sheet: https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/leishmaniasis-fact-sheet/

International Cat Care Website: https://icatcare.org/

Scottish Fold Cat Welfare: https://www.ufaw.org.uk/cats/scottish-fold-osteochondrodysplasia

Dalmatian Dog Welfare: https://www.ufaw.org.uk/dogs/dalmatian-hyperuricosuria

WARNING - THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES THE SUBJECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & ANIMAL ABUSE, IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING RAISED IN THIS TALK PLEASE USE THE LINKS BELOW

Welcome to this episode of The Underdog Vet Podcast! In this episode's Animal Advocate Interview, I spoke to the Chair of The Links Group, veterinary surgeon, Paula Boyden BVetMed MRCVS.

The Links Group raise awareness of the link between the abuse of people and animals through support, training and inter-agency working. They provide training to veterinary teams to help them recognise and act on concerns of non-accidental injury and domestic abuse through their Veterinary Learning Initiative.

This includes providing talks to students in UK veterinary schools on non-accidental injury (NAI) to pets and have produced a guidance document for vet practices on how to deal with suspected cases of animal abuse. They also provide a national network of pet fostering for those escaping domestic violence but understandably don't want to leave their pets behind.

Paula and I talked about how and why The Links Group was established, why it's important for all members of the vet team to have an awareness of non accidental injury in pets and what team members can do if they suspect they have seen a case.

Links:

Links Group Website: https://thelinksgroup.org.uk/home

Vet team guidance document: https://thelinksgroup.org.uk/veterinary-team-guidance

RSPCA: https://www.rspca.org.uk/home

SSPCA: https://www.scottishspca.org/

Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/

Crime Stoppers: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

Refuge: https://www.refuge.org.uk/

RVCS Code of Conduct, breaching client confidentiality: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/supporting-guidance/client-confidentiality/

The Links Group Pet Fostering Network Information: https://thelinksgroup.org.uk/pet-fostering

The Freedom Project (The Dog Trust's Pet Fostering Network): https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/hope-project-freedom-project/freedom-project

IVC Non-Accidental Injury Resources for vet staff: https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/vet-group-launches-nai-support-initiative/

The Veterinary Defence Society: https://www.thevds.co.uk/

Changes to Domestic Abuse Act: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/latest/2021/freedom-project-domestic-abuse-act

Welcome to this episode of The Underdog Vet Podcast.

In this episode's Animal Advocate Interview I chatted with Hannah Capon MA Vet MB MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon & founder of Canine Arthritis Management or CAM.

CAM is an online education & support service for owners of arthritic dogs & the professionals who care for them. From simple beginnings as a Facebook page in 2015 where Hannah would promote earlier detection of arthritis in dogs and the use of a multimodal approach to care plans, today it is vital resource for owners and veterinary professionals alike.

Hannah and I chatted about what arthritis is, how prevalent it is amongst dogs and what both owners and vets can do to make arthritic dogs lives better. We also talked about the new wonder drug Librela™ that has revolutionised pain management for dogs with arthritis!

If you see any of the changes that Hannah and I talked about in your cat or dog then I think they'd really appreciate you getting your vet to take a look at them to see if they could perhaps have some arthritic pain. Hannah mentioned lost of things and used lots of terms in our chat that some listeners may not be familiar with, so I'll explain them here:

Hip and elbow dysplasia is when these joints don't form correctly in young animals or have suffered trauma for example through over exercising young puppies whilst their joints are forming. Find out more here: https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/elbow-dysplasia-fact-sheet/

Congruity means fitting well or well aligned joints. OA is shorthand for osteoarthritis. Vet Compass™ is 'The Veterinary Companion Animal Surveillance System' and it collects information from participating vet practices from around the UK and uses it to improve companion animal health. Find out more here: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/about/overview

Deleterious means a negative effect that would cause harm or damage.

Non-steroidal (anti inflammatory) are types of pain medication used in both human and veterinary medicine eg Metacam

BCS stands for Body Condition Score and is a system of measuring an animal's body health and assigns a number between 1-9, a bit like the BMI scale used in human medicine. A dog's ideal BCS is 4-5/9. Bioavailable describes how easily something can enter the body's circulation so it's able to have an active effect. 

Multimodal approach means treating a condition using multiple treatment types. Proprioception is the perception or awareness of the position and movement of the body.

Links:

Canine Arthritis Management Website: https://caninearthritis.co.uk/

Canine Arthritis Management 'In Silence' video: https://youtu.be/O5_FeWt4T_I 

Librela™ info for vets: https://www.zeropainphilosophy.com/post/ground-breaking-treatment-for-arthritis 

Zero Pain Philosophy website (for vets): https://www.zeropainphilosophy.com/

Galen myotherapy (and other complementary therapies): https://caninearthritis.co.uk/managing-arthritis/complementary-therapies/