Veterinary Ramblings

What happens when a veterinary publisher, a vet and a vet nurse/podcaster sit down with a beer? Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad welcome Chris Ritchie – editor, publisher and accidental founder of "the old manosphere" – to Veterinary Ramblings.

In Part 1 we cover:
- Chris taking over Vet Surgeon and Vet Nurse and the future of veterinary publishing
- Print vs digital – are vets still reading journals cover to cover?
- The Veterinary Edge and Pet & Vet magazines
- Why Tesco's straight croissants are a crime
- Poisonous vs venomous – why adders aren't poisonous
- Pi, puns and the birth of the old manosphere

Veterinary Ramblings is the podcast for vets, vet nurses and veterinary students who want real stories, CPD and a good laugh.

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This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad are joined by feline medicine specialist Dr. Petra Cerna, DVM, PhD, to explore the unique clinical, physiological and legal considerations surrounding feline health.

The conversation explores the evolution of FIP treatment, including antiviral therapies and emerging insights into post-FIP complications such as myocarditis.

Petra also discuss animal advocacy and law, including the ethics of cosmetic procedures, evolving animal welfare legislation and the responsibilities of veterinary organisations.

The episode also takes a closer look at feline-specific diagnostics and why markers such as bilirubin, albumin and ALT can have very different clinical significance in cats compared with dogs.

From feline internal medicine to veterinary ethics and animal law, this episode offers an insightful look at the complexities of feline healthcare.

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad are joined by Dr. Marc Abraham to explore animal welfare, grassroots campaigning, legislation, and the power of education to create meaningful change.

The episode dives into Marc’s work as a vet, animal advocate and author, from visiting schools and literary festivals with his children’s book to his work exposing puppy farming through the documentary "Dogspiracy". He shares insights from going undercover in Amish puppy mills in Pennsylvania and how the film helped open new educational conversations with breeders and veterinary professionals.

Marc also reflects on the decade-long grassroots campaign behind Lucy’s Law, which brought an end to commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens in the UK. He explains why legislation is only the beginning, creating the framework needed for enforcement, investigation and prosecution.

The conversation also explores what makes political campaigning effective, the role of APDAWG in bringing grassroots voices into Parliament, and why patience, collaboration and giving policymakers practical solutions can be more powerful than confrontation.

From animal welfare legislation to veterinary-client relationships, Marc also discusses the difficult conversations vets face when treating animals affected by extreme breeding, and why keeping communication open is essential to protecting the animal in front of them.

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad are joined by Dr. Marc Abraham to explore animal welfare, grassroots campaigning, legislation, and the power of education to create meaningful change.

The episode dives into Marc’s work as a vet, animal advocate and author, from visiting schools and literary festivals with his children’s book to his work exposing puppy farming through the documentary "Dogspiracy". He shares insights from going undercover in Amish puppy mills in Pennsylvania and how the film helped open new educational conversations with breeders and veterinary professionals.

Marc also reflects on the decade-long grassroots campaign behind Lucy’s Law, which brought an end to commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens in the UK. He explains why legislation is only the beginning, creating the framework needed for enforcement, investigation and prosecution.

The conversation also explores what makes political campaigning effective, the role of APDAWG in bringing grassroots voices into Parliament, and why patience, collaboration and giving policymakers practical solutions can be more powerful than confrontation.

From animal welfare legislation to veterinary-client relationships, Marc also discusses the difficult conversations vets face when treating animals affected by extreme breeding, and why keeping communication open is essential to protecting the animal in front of them.

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad catch up on recent adventures, veterinary milestones, and a few unexpected stories along the way.

The episode begins with Mike reflecting on handing over the BSAVA presidency before the conversation heads north to Finland, where the pair share highlights from a wildlife photography trip filled with brown bears, wolves, wolverines, and fascinating facts about Arctic wildlife.

They also swap stories from a recent expedition around Scotland, discuss an unexpected front-row view of a major NATO military exercise, and, with their usual humour, touch on the ever-changing UK political landscape.

The episode wraps up back in the veterinary world with a look at the recent BSAVA Vets Cymru conference in Aberystwyth, celebrating the value of regional events and the first graduating cohort of veterinary students from the University of Aberystwyth.

As always, it's a relaxed mix of veterinary chat, wildlife stories, travel, and plenty of good conversation.

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad are joined by Dan O’Neill & Marisa Heath to unpack the controversy surrounding the so-called “67 breeds ban” and the wider conversation around animal welfare legislation.

The episode dives into how sensational headlines and “rage bait” media distorted the guests’ work, falsely claiming they wanted to ban dozens of dog breeds. In reality, the discussion focuses on preserving beloved breeds by encouraging healthier physical traits and moving away from extreme conformations that can compromise welfare.

Dan and Marissa also introduce the Innate Health Assessment (IHA), a free, voluntary tool designed to help breeders and the public identify healthier breed characteristics. From brachycephalic breathing issues to public perceptions of “healthy-looking” dogs, the conversation explores how education and informed choices can drive meaningful change.

The episode also tackles the importance of addressing root causes rather than just treating symptoms, alongside thoughtful discussions on legislation, social change, and what truly defines a good quality of life for our pets.

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad cover everything from formal dinner etiquette to key issues in the veterinary industry. A humorous start, featuring dining traditions, leads into Mike’s upcoming expedition, where he’ll explore history from Vikings to WWII-era sharking.

The episode also tackles the CMA investigation into the profession, discussing concerns around online pharmacies, rising costs, and potential impacts on animal welfare.

It wraps up with a quick “60 Second CPD” on public speaking and a lighthearted segment on the hosts’ irrational fears.

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad are joined by Allie Selby, Fundraising and Income Generation Manager for PetSavers, part of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA). Allie shares her journey in the animal charity sector, including her time with Guide Dogs and the moment that inspired her passion for the field.

The episode highlights the vital work of PetSavers, from funding research into companion animal health to supporting projects at every career stage. Allie also discusses how individuals and organisations can get involved in supporting this work.

The conversation ends on a lighter note, with Allie’s favourite “guilty pleasure” bread, a “60 Second CPD” on perfecting scones, and a few entertaining anecdotes from the hosts.

This week on Veterinary Ramblings, hosts Mike Brampton and Julian Hoad kick off the episode with Mike’s recent trip to Japan, sharing observations from a culture built on respect, ritual, and remarkable attention to detail. Mike reflects on everything from impeccably organised airport baggage reclaim to the country’s legendary punctuality and the deeply ingrained bathing traditions of the onsen. The pair also discuss Japanese cuisine, including sea urchin, seaweed, and raw egg dishes, along with Mike’s experience exploring Tokyo’s famous “kitchen street” and the craftsmanship (and cost!) behind traditional Japanese knives.

The conversation moves into Mike’s photography adventures, including visits to the famous snow monkeys and the iconic Japanese cranes. He explains how wildlife viewing areas are carefully managed to protect the animals while still allowing visitors to observe them in their natural environments.

Back in veterinary territory, the hosts reflect on zoo welfare and the debate around stereotypical behaviours in captive animals, before Mike recounts a memorable (and slightly terrifying) story from early in his career involving anaesthetising a tiger. The episode wraps up with a candid rant about public services, touching on the challenges facing the NHS and the frustrations of unreliable infrastructure.

Packed with travel stories, wildlife encounters, veterinary insights, and the usual off-the-cuff humour, this episode is classic Veterinary Ramblings.