Ep 135: Veterinary Surgeons Act reform, with BVA president Rob Williams

Chris Simpson sits down with Michael Q Bailey, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), to discuss the issues facing veterinarians in the United States. Dr Bailey discusses rural veterinary workforce shortages and the AVMA-sponsored legislation set to tackle the issue, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, and the latest efforts to combat the re-emerging threat of New World Screwworm. Podcast music: “Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Allister Webb and James Westgate welcome a panel of industry experts to examine how the veterinary sector can move forward after the CMA investigation in a discussion recorded at SPVS Congress in Birmingham. Podcast music: “Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

With the nomination deadline for the 2026 BVA Awards looming on 16 March, last year’s BVA Young Vet of the Year winner Leah Hunter joins Chris Simpson to talk about her experiences of winning the accolade and life as a mixed practice vet in Orkney. Dr Hunter, of Flett and Carmichael Veterinary Surgeons, was recognised for her “extraordinary dedication; compassion; unwavering devotion to her patients; and professionalism in all aspects of her work”. She also discusses her work with multiple charities as an Orkney Nature Festival trustee, a British Divers Marine Life Rescue medic and Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme volunteer. Podcast music: “Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

With consultations on reforming veterinary legislation now finally underway, BVA president Rob Williams returns to the podcast to discuss his hopes and fears for the process with Allister Webb. The consultation (https://consult.defra.gov.uk/reform-of-the-veterinary-surgeons-act/consultation/) is open for submissions until 25 March.    Podcast music: “Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

With a long-awaited consultation on veterinary legislative reform now finally underway, Allister Webb is joined by Defra’s deputy chief veterinary officer Ele Brown to discuss what change might achieve for the sector. The consultation (https://consult.defra.gov.uk/reform-of-the-veterinary-surgeons-act/consultation/) is open for submissions until 25 March.    Podcast music: “Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Image: Defra / GOV.UK

As the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine approaches, vets in the country – many of whom are fighting or serving as combat medics on the front lines as well as managing their clinics – are facing shortages of vital medicines and equipment. At the same time, rabies cases in wild and stray animals are on the rise, putting vets in further danger during the conflict. Ukrainian vet Daria Ponomarenko and ProSalus Foundation vice-president Mark Johnston, who visited the country last year, join Chris Simpson to discuss the issues facing vets as the war rages on and appeal for vital donations. Veterinary professionals can donate medicines, equipment and supplies, or make a financial donation, at the ProSalus website [https://prosalusfoundation.org/our-projects/#ukraine-section] or by emailing Dr Johnston at [email protected]. ProSalus is also holding a silent auction [https://www.vettimes.com/news/vets/wellbeing-at-work/art-sale-aims-to-boost-ukrainian-veterinary-work] of Ukrainian art [https://prosalusfoundation.org/product-category/different-together-series-by-anna-khomchyk/], raising funds for the Ukrainian Small Animal Veterinary Association. Podcast music: “Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Burnout, mental health issues and staff turnover are challenges that continue to affect the veterinary profession. Angela Chapman, senior veterinary nursing lecturer at Melbourne Polytechnic and graduate researcher at La Trobe University, joins Chris Simpson to discuss her new vet nurse burnout prevention survey [https://www.veterinaryburnout.com.au/workplace-survey]. Podcast music: “Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Allergic dermatitis is one of the most challenging chronic conditions we face in practice. Not just clinically, but because owners expect their dogs to return to “normal.”   In this podcast with Darren Berger, US board certified dermatologist and Elanco’s head of allergy and dermatology, we’ll look at the science behind Zenrelia, the new JAK inhibitor helping dogs get back to normal, and how it’s changing how we manage itchy dogs and their owners. Dr Berger is a American board-certified veterinary dermatologist with extensive experience in clinical practice, research and education. He is an accomplished speaker and an author and editor, having written many journal articles and his own textbook. He has special interests in clinical pharmacology and the management of allergic skin diseases and prior to joining Elanco Animal Health, he was a tenured professor at Iowa State University. Dr Berger resides in Iowa with his family, but you will often find him sharing his passion for dermatology through speaking events around the country and internationally. SPONSORED This podcast is sponsored by Elanco Animal Health, the company behind Zenrelia. Zenrelia™ film coated tablets contain ilunocitinib. Legal category POM-V in UK, POM in IE. For further information call Elanco Animal Health on +44(0)1256 353131 or write to: Elanco UK AH Limited, Form 2, Bartley Way, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook, RG27 9XA, United Kingdom. For further information, consult the product SPC. Zenrelia, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates.
©2025 Elanco or its affiliates

Advice should be sought from the medicine prescriber prior to use. Prescription decisions are for the person issuing the prescription alone. Use medicines responsibly www.noah.co.uk/responsible or www.apha.ie
 References Forster S et al (2025). Comparative efficacy and safety of ilunocitinib and oclacitinib for the control of pruritus and associated skin lesions in dogs with atopic dermatitis, Vet Dermatol 36(2): 165-176. Olivry T, Bensignor E, Favrot C et al (2018). Development of a core outcome set for therapeutic clinical trials enrolling dogs with atopic dermatitis (COSCAD’18), BMC Vet Res 14(1): 238.   Links MyElanco: Zenrelia | New once-daily treatment for itchy dogs (https://my.elanco.com/en_gb/product-support/pet/zenrelia) Zenrelia SPC information can be found on MyElanco using the link above or on the VMD Product Information Database: Product Information Database - Home (https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/productinformationdatabase/)

SPONSORED In today’s episode, sponsored by Royal Canin, we celebrate 20 years of Royal Canin’s partnership with the University of Liverpool’s Obesity Care Clinic – the world’s first specialist weight loss clinic for cats and dogs. This pioneering collaboration has transformed obesity care, combining expert research with exceptional service for clients and referring vet practices. Join us as Georgia Woods-Lee and Professor Alex German share how the Royal Canin Obesity Care Clinic is shaping the future of pet health and the vital role vets can play in tackling obesity. In 2015, Georgia Woods-Lee took the position of clinical lead for the Royal Canin Weight Management Clinic (recently renamed the Royal Canin Obesity Care Clinic) at the University of Liverpool, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, where she is now dealing exclusively with pet obesity care and nutrition. Georgia was awarded her Certificate in Canine and Feline Veterinary Health Nutrition in 2017, the American Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in nutrition certificate in 2019 , and her BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing (Top-up) degree in 2022. Georgia is currently working towards a PhD in pet obesity. Alex German holds the position of Royal Canin professor of small animal medicine at the University of Liverpool. He is a 1994 graduate of the University of Bristol and, after spending two years in mixed practice, returned to Bristol to undertake a PhD in mucosal immunology, and then a residency in small animal internal medicine. He is a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and also a RCVS-recognised specialist in internal medicine. His clinical and research interests include comparative obesity biology, ageing, preventing chronic disease, gastroenterology, and evidence-based veterinary medicine. For more on the clinic, visit its website at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/small-animal-teaching-hospital/clinical-services/weight-management/

For this Vet Times Extra podcast, Paul Imrie is joined by RCVS advanced practitioner in small animal practice Richard Sanderson and professional services vet for IDEXX Carole MacColl to discuss faecal antigen testing. SPONSORED Parasites pose a serious threat to pets and people. But prevention alone may not be 100% effective. Updated industry guidelines now recommend intestinal parasite testing at least once a year, regardless of deworming. Combine your preventives with Faecal Dx antigen testing, and parasites don’t stand a chance. Faecal Dx antigen testing offers early, accurate detection of the most common intestinal parasites, even in well cats and dogs. Learn more at https://www.idexx.co.uk/en-gb/veterinary/reference-laboratories/fecal-testing/fecal-dx-antigen-test/?utm_source=vet_times&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=rlb_fecaldx_2025 The views and opinions in this recorded conversation expressed by the guest interviewee are the guest interviewee's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of IDEXX. Richard Sanderson, BVSc, CertAVP(SAP), MRCVS, is an RCVS advanced practitioner in small animal practice and director of Peninsula Vet Referrals. He graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2009. An advocate for independent veterinary practice, he founded Sanderson Vet in 2016. This started as a mobile vet and has developed into a 24-hour first opinion clinic. Already accepting a wide range of referrals, he formalised their referral services and opened Peninsula Vet Referrals, which focuses on offering “Affordable experience and accessible expertise”, aiming to make referrals more affordable and easier to access. Carole MacColl BVMS, PGCert, VetEd FHEA, MRCVS graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2011, and gained experience in first opinion practice before undertaking a rotating internship with a focus on emergency and critical care. She spent time as an ECC clinician in referral hospitals throughout Australia and the UK, before a role as a senior veterinarian in the RVC’s first opinion teaching hospital. Carole joined IDEXX as a professional services veterinarian covering the south of the UK in 2021.