Diabetes mellitus can present more of a challenge in cats due to difficulties handling, investigating and handling the patient, but with the right approach it is possible to return a cat to normal blood glucose levels.

In this edition of the Vet Times Podcast, we hear from Kit Sturgess about managing this condition.

He has written the article “Diabetes mellitus in cats – a case-based approach”, which was in Vet Times (Volume 52, Issue 47, Pages 6-9). It is online at vettimes.co.uk (https://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/diabetes-mellitus-in-cats-a-case-based-approach/)

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𝗞𝗜𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗠𝗔, 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗠𝗕, 𝗣𝗵𝗗, 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗩𝗥, 𝗗𝗦𝗔𝗠, 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗩𝗖, 𝗙𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦

Kit graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1986, then spent six years in general veterinary practice. He has further professional qualifications in imaging, cardiology and internal medicine, as well as a PhD awarded for looking at the effects of FIV on mucosal immune function.

Kit is a fellow of the RCVS, a specialist in small animal internal medicine and an advanced practitioner in veterinary cardiology. He has been seeing referral small animal medicine cases for the past 25 years, both at university-based and private specialist practices.

Kit’s love of teaching and learning led him to develop a new, more flexible, role combining lecturing, writing and clinic time. The majority of his clinical time is spent providing an internal medicine service at Optivet Referrals in Havant, Hampshire.

He maintains a keen interest in many areas of internal medicine and has authored numerous articles and two textbooks, and presented lectures and research abstracts at conferences worldwide.

In July, he was announced by Cats Protection as its new chair of trustees, who will lead the board of volunteer trustees responsible for values, strategy and overall performance at the UK’s leading cat charity.

Welcome to this latest Vet Times Jobs People Match Podcast, where we’re delighted to be joined by Emily Bridges, graduate programme lead at Vets4Pets.

Emily has diversified in her career, and here she takes us through her own journey to help others looking to make a change in the direction of their own working lives.

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𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗚𝗘𝗦 𝗕𝗩𝗠 𝗕𝗩𝗦 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦

Emily graduated from the first cohort at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in 2011. She spent eight-and-a-half years in small animal practices in Birmingham and Brighton before taking on the role of graduate programme lead at Vets4Pets.

During her time in practice she developed a keen interest in education, mentoring numerous student vets, nurses and new graduates as well as supporting small group teaching at Surrey.

In her current role, she supports around 200 Vets4Pets graduates across the UK, providing pastoral support and a comprehensive programme of CPD. She is a trained practitioner in both emotional intelligence and insights as well as being a mental health first aider.

Emily lives in Brighton and spends most of her time either in the sea or renovating her project house.

Chickens are being increasingly kept as pets – and with it comes the likelihood of presentations in practice.

So, ahead of her lecture at the London Vet Show, Henrietta Kodilinye‑Sims addresses some of the challenges: from identifying clinical signs to responsible prescribing in line with legislative requirements.

Henri also offers some tips for nursing care plans…

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𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗔 𝗞𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗬𝗘-𝗦𝗜𝗠𝗦 𝗕𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗠𝗲𝗱, 𝗣𝗴𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗩𝗘𝗣𝗛, 𝗚𝗖𝗟𝗧, 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦

Henri is an experienced poultry veterinarian who focuses on improving the health and welfare of family poultry (pet and backyard). Her background as a hen owner, companion animal vet and commercial poultry vet provided the perfect experience for her roles as a practitioner and educator.

She is owner of Surrey Poultry Vet; co-owner of Happy Healthy Hens; senior lecturer at the University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine; commercial poultry consultant; Vet Record poultry editor; British Veterinary Poultry Association committee member and education lead; and Surrey Poultry Society veterinarian.

This podcast is also available as a webinar at www.vettimes.co.uk/article/pet-poultry-dont-panic/

In this week’s podcast we discuss the changing landscape of veterinary medical education, with Prof Stavros Malas and Prof Michael Herrtage from the newly launched School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus.

Prof Stavros Malas – dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at University of Nicosia – has expertise in generating transgenic animal models, embryo manipulation, stem cell biology, molecular genetics and in vitro genetic recombination techniques.

Prof Michael Herrtage is programme director, joining the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nicosia after more than 30 years at the University of Cambridge, including a 14-year period as dean of the University of Cambridge Veterinary School.

𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗗

This podcast is sponsored by the University of Nicosia in Cyprus which recently launched the first School of Veterinary Medicine in Cyprus, offering a five-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programme in English including practical training from the first year of study.

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programme is an innovative approach to a changing world. The School recognises and embraces the principle of One Health connecting the health of people, the health of animals and the health of the environment which is critical for our future.

For more information about this dynamic Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programme offered in Cyprus, visit www.unic.ac.cy/vet

In this Vet Times Podcast, Leanne Dobrowolski joins Paul Imrie to discuss how physiotherapy is growing in importance in management of chronic pain cases, and offers advice on training as a veterinary physiotherapist.

𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗢𝗟𝗦𝗞𝗜

𝗠𝗦𝗰𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀, 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗩𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀, 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗘𝗱(𝗠𝗱𝘅), 𝗕𝗦𝗰(𝗛𝗼𝗻𝘀), 𝗙𝗱𝗦𝗰, 𝗥𝗩𝗡, 𝗟𝟯𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗦𝗔, 𝗠𝗜𝗥𝗩𝗔𝗣, 𝗖𝗖

Leanne has worked in veterinary medicine since 2008 and graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2013 as an RVN.

Once qualified, Leanne established a keen interest in animal rehabilitation and volunteered with wildlife in South Africa, Costa Rica and Thailand.

Leanne’s passion for rehabilitation developed and this led to her completing a Master of Science in Veterinary Physiotherapy at the University of Nottingham and a level 3 certificate in hydrotherapy at K9 Hydro Services. Leanne now has her own veterinary physiotherapy and hydrotherapy clinic in Peterborough, Healing Hands Animal Physiotherapy.

𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗗

This podcast is brought to you by Galliprant, from Elanco. As the only piprant-class NSAID, Galliprant is the most targeted oral treatment for canine OA. With the power to precisely target OA pain, Galliprant can be used from first diagnosis and for as long as needed, even in young dogs.

As recent data shows, OA is much more common in young dogs than first thought. This new study revealed that 41% of young dogs had radiographic OA, and two-thirds of those had associated pain.

Based on this insight, early intervention in young dogs could improve quality of life for years to come. As the most targeted oral treatment for canine OA, Galliprant can play a key role in this early stage of OA management.

Hear expert opinion on this new data and what it could mean for young dogs with OA at www.myelanco.co.uk/brand/galliprant-hear-the-experts

This winter marks 10 years since the first cases of cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy – commonly known as Alabama rot – in the UK.

Since then, almost 300 cases have been confirmed across 47 UK counties. The disease has a 90% mortality rate.

As research into the disease continues, we’re joined by David Walker of Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Hampshire. David is the UK’s foremost authority on the disease – and in this podcast, he takes us on a journey from when it was first recognised in the US in the 1980s, through to its emergence in the UK and trends seen with cases. He also discusses the ongoing research.

During this podcast, David refers to images and an animation in the webinar. This can be watched in our new Alabama rot collection on Vet Times CPD+, alongside a gallery of images and additional resources.

https://cpd.vettimes.co.uk/cpd-plus/companion-animal/cpd-alabama-rot

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𝗗𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗗 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗠𝗲𝗱(𝗛𝗼𝗻𝘀), 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗔𝗖𝗩𝗜𝗠, 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗘𝗖𝗩𝗜𝗠-𝗖𝗔, 𝗙𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦

David is an RCVS, American and European board-recognised specialist in small animal internal medicine. He graduated at the RVC and completed a one-year rotating internship at its Queen Mother Hospital for Animals.

After a year in first opinion practice, David returned to RVC to undertake a three-year residency in small animal internal medicine, which he completed in 2008. David passed the certifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in the same year, thus becoming an ACVIM diplomate and American-recognised specialist in small animal internal medicine.

Following his residency training, David remained at the RVC as a lecturer in small animal internal medicine and has worked in private referral practice since 2009. He Anderson Moores to head the medicine service in 2011.

He is interested in all aspects of internal medicine, but particularly gastroenterology and endocrinology.

In 2019, David was made a fellow of the RCVS for meritorious contributions to clinical practice. Fellowship is the highest status of membership of the college and is awarded for outstanding contributions to the veterinary profession.

In this podcast, Gudrun Ravetz, head of workplace engagement at Vets4Pets and Vicky Hill, people director at Vets4Pets, discuss the importance of mental health in the workplace and the support available to veterinary practice teams.

Gudrun will discuss her own experience of mental health first aid training, developed in partnership with Talkout, and Vets4Pets’ commitment to having a trained colleague in every practice.

It will cover factors that can influence a colleague’s mental health in practice, the impact of mental health on workplace culture, learnings from the findings of Vets4Pets’ Project Listen and measures the company has brought in to support teams.

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𝗚𝗨𝗗𝗥𝗨𝗡 𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗧𝗭 𝗕𝗩𝗦𝗰, 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦

Gudrun has recently been appointed in the newly created role of head of workplace engagement with Vets4Pets to help support colleagues and partners in the group’s practices.

She has more than 20 years’ experience and has worked as a clinician in private practice and for charities, and is a former president of both the BVA and SPVS.

In addition to her clinical experience, she has worked in several veterinary-related roles in industry, management and as a consultant, as well as chairing the BVA’s Good Veterinary Workplaces working group.

She will work closely with colleagues and partners across Vets4Pets and Companion Care practices to support the implementation of the BVA’s Good Veterinary Workplaces code as it continues to be adopted across the estate.

The appointment follows Vets4Pets’ inaugural Project Listen report, which revealed an industry-wide need for increased support and recognition, and is part of an ongoing commitment to workplace engagement. Both the report and initiatives being implemented are discussed in this podcast.

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𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔 𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗟

Vicky has been an HR professional for 25 years and has held Chartered CIPD Fellow status for 12 years.

She has been part of the Pets at Home Group People team for 11 years and during that time has worked with the specialist division, retail and support office teams.

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𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗗

Vets4Pets, which is part of Pets at Home, operates a national network of practices that are run by partners who enjoy clinical freedom and have the independence to run their own practice.

Each practice offers a comprehensive range of treatments for small animals. From vaccinations, neutering and general health care advice to specialised services such as intensive care medicine and surgical procedures.

As fireworks season approaches, RVN Nikki McLeod joins VN Times editor Rachael Buzzel to advise on how practices can support pet owners and their pets through this unsettling time and why vet nurses are perfectly placed to do this.

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𝗡𝗜𝗞𝗞𝗜 𝗠𝗰𝗟𝗘𝗢𝗗, 𝗕𝗦𝗰(𝗛𝗼𝗻𝘀) 𝗥𝗩𝗡, 𝗜𝗦𝗙𝗠 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗙𝗡 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗙𝗕

Nikki, a self-confessed “crazy cat lady” and “study geek”, has been an RVN since 2000. She is a cat advocate and consulting nurse for a small animal practice in Fife, and is studying for multiple certificates.

Not satisfied with gaining her first undergraduate degree at 50, she is now going on to study Clinical Animal Behaviour at The University of Edinburgh, with a view to becoming a practice-based clinical animal behaviourist.

She will also be joining BVNA council and serving a three-year term in October.

Ahead of taking over as BVA president, Malcolm Morley joined us to discuss his priorities for the year ahead – including his theme of investing in people, and how he’s looking forward to leading the association over the next 12 months.

Malcolm also previews several sessions at the London Vet Show that tie in with his theme.

We also speak to Justine Shotton about her presidency, which has just ended. Justine reflects on the success of her theme of sustainability, as well as some of the BVA’s ongoing campaigns, and discusses how much she enjoyed her term.

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𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗧𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗩𝗦𝗰, 𝗠𝗦𝗰, 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦

Justine is a 2008 University of Bristol veterinary graduate with a first class intercalated degree in veterinary pathology from the RVC.

She has always had a passion for conservation – after graduating she volunteered at wildlife rehabilitation centres in Guatemala and a small animal clinic in Honduras before spending five years working as a mixed practice vet in Oxfordshire. After completing a master’s in wild animal health from the RVC and Zoological Society of London (ZSL), she joined the ZSL as a postgraduate research assistant and wildlife vet for its Species Recovery Programme. While there, she researched and advised on disease risks and management strategies for reintroductions and translocations of native and European wildlife species following local extinctions or population reductions.

Since 2015, Dr Shotton has worked at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire. As veterinary services manager, she leads a team of veterinary professionals and animal scientists to optimise the welfare of zoo and wild animals, and is involved in several wildlife reintroduction projects, including the international programme to reintroduce the scimitar oryx back into the wild in Chad in 2016.

Justine was BVA president in 2021-22 – during which she took a sabbatical from her role at Marwell Zoo – and campaigned to make sustainability a key priority for the veterinary profession.

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𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗠 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗘𝗬 𝗕𝗩𝗦𝗰, 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦

Malcolm qualified from the University of Bristol in 1993. He started his career at Liphook Equine Hospital, and has worked in the UK and Australia. He was a joint founder of Stable Close Equine Practice in 2003 and his main interest is pre-purchase examination.

Malcolm has been a BEVA council member, chairing its pre-purchase examination committee. He has also been a member of the BVA’s policy committee and is BVA president for 2022-23.

Welcome to this episode of the Vet Times Podcast previewing the Wooldridge Memorial Lecture at BVA Congress, which is taking place as part of the London Vet Show.

This year’s speaker is Matt Morgan, an intensive care doctor. He is about to release his second book, which explores the concept of one health.

In his lecture, Matt will call for doctors to work closer with vets – and ahead of the show, he joined us to explain more…

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𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗪 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡

Matt Morgan is an intensive care doctor, researcher and author.

His open letter addressed to patients during the COVID pandemic has been read by more than half a million people worldwide and viewed by more than three million times after featuring on Channel 4. His first book, Critical, published in 2019, has been translated into four languages and featured in The Times.

Matt has spoken to large audiences at some of the largest book festivals in the world, and on a number of popular podcasts and radio programmes. He has also appeared on a number of television programmes, both in the UK and internationally.

He was nominated for the 2020 Royal Society David Attenborough Prize for public engagement in science.