Ep 112: Managing refractory epilepsy in dogs, with Mark Lowrie

A rapidly evolving discipline, oncology medicine has made significant strides in the past decade, and will continue that development in the coming years. To share some of the latest knowledge on diagnosis, staging and treatment, Nick Bacon joins this Vet Times Podcast. His article, “Oncology: update on diagnosis, staging and treatment options”, was in Vet Times (Volume 54, Issue 30, Pages 6-9) and is available at https://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/oncology-update-on-diagnosis-staging-and-treatment-options/ 𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗔, 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗠𝗕, 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗩𝗥, 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗦𝗔𝗦, 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗘𝗖𝗩𝗦, 𝗗𝗔𝗖𝗩𝗦, 𝗙𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦 Nick was the BSAVA PetSavers resident in soft tissue surgery and oncology at the University of Cambridge, and completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at the Animal Cancer Center, Colorado State University. He was part of the surgical oncology faculty at the University of Florida from 2006-2014. Nick then moved back to the UK and was appointed professor of surgical oncology at the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine. He co-founded Aura Veterinary, a referral hospital in Guildford, seeing patients from across the UK for consultations in medical, surgical and interventional oncology, internal medicine and soft tissue surgery. Nick is also a diplomate of the European and American colleges of veterinary surgeons (ACVS), a past-president of the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology and an ACVS founding fellow of surgical oncology.

With more than a third of cats now largely living their lives indoors, ensuring preventive health needs are met for the whole feline population has grown in significance. Vet Ellen Marcinkiewicz, of International Cat Care (iCatCare), covers more on this subject in this Vet Times Podcast. She has written an article to accompany this podcast for Vet Times (Volume 54, Issue 23, Pages 5-10) with Laura Watson, RVN at iCatCare, called “Preventive health care advice for indoor cats”. It is online at https://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/preventive-health-care-advice-for-indoor-cats/ ••• 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗘𝗪𝗜𝗖𝗭 𝗕𝗩𝗦𝗰, 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦 Ellen is communications manager at iCatCare. She is also a qualified veterinarian with more than eight years of experience in small animal practice, working in her home country of Australia and at the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in New Zealand. Ellen then moved to the UK, where she worked as a locum vet before making the transition into veterinary communications. ••• Resources for further information, some covered in the podcast, include: www.icatcare.org – for owner advice https://www.catcare4life.org/ – for veterinary professionals https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1098612X13477537 – ISFM and AAFP Environmental Needs Guidelines https://www.abcdcatsvets.org/ – ABCD guidelines ESCCAP Guidelines: https://www.esccapuk.org.uk/ WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines: https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/vaccination-guidelines/

When it comes to ongoing, sustained management of OA, collaboration between the veterinary team and owners is vitally important. To talk more about this fascinating area, Ross Allan joins the Vet Times Podcast. ••• 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗩𝗠𝗦, 𝗣𝗚𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗦𝗔𝗦, 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦 Ross graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2001, gaining his BSAVA Certificate in Small Animal Surgery in 2014 and RCVS Advanced Practitioner status in 2015. He is clinical director of referrals at Pets’n’Vets, Glasgow, where he leads Roundhouse Referrals, treating many lame dogs with orthopaedic injuries, as well as developing the team management of many osteoarthritic patients. His article, “Sustained management of OA”, was in Vet Times (Volume 54, Issue 29, Pages 6-11) and is available to read in full at https://bit.ly/3WPRwOs

In this sponsored Vet Times Extra podcast, Ginny Sherwin and Kath Aplin join us to discuss NSAID use and pain relief in calves. For more than 20 years Metacam has been at the forefront of cattle well-being. The proven and trusted anti-inflammatory pain relief provided by Metacam supports farmers and veterinarians in their efforts to maintain well-being across many indications. Contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim ruminant specialist or [email protected] for further advice and resources. ••• 𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗬 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗪𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗔, 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗠𝗕, 𝗠𝗩𝗠, 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗘𝗖𝗕𝗛𝗠, 𝗣𝗵𝗗, 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦 Ginny qualified from the University of Cambridge in 2011 and completed a farm animal internship before going into private practice. In 2014  she undertook a residency, then a PhD, at the University of Nottingham, becoming a European specialist in 2017. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the University of Nottingham, focusing on herd health, especially youngstock management.   ••• 𝗞𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗩𝗦𝗰, 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗖𝗛𝗣, 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦 Kath is a veterinary advisor with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, providing technical support for Boehringer’s ruminant range of medicines. Before joining Boehringer, Kath spent 20 years as a farm vet in Somerset, New Zealand and Cumbria. Kath has a particular interest in knowledge exchange and improving health and well-being in agriculture and recently gained an MSc in sustainable food and agriculture policy.

In this VN Times podcast, editor Lacey Pitcher RVN discusses the broad opportunities of a vet nurse passport with Donna Wills, an RVN and animal physiotherapist. Donna shares her career pivots and the decisions that have led her to now support from the other side of the consult table to provide more holistic care for animals and their people. ••• 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗔 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗥𝗩𝗡, 𝗣𝗴𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗔 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀, 𝗠𝗜𝗥𝗩𝗔𝗣(𝗩𝗣) Donna qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2003 and has worked in small animal practices, veterinary hospitals, ECC and rescue homes. Having qualified as an animal physiotherapist in 2005, Donna set up Animal Physiotherapy Ltd and went on to establish physio clinics in the south of England, hosted by five veterinary practices and the Pet Spa at Harrods – the latter of which led to media work. Outside of work, Donna is a keen gymnast, and is proud to have represented Britain in the Masters Cup at the age of 42.

In this Vet Times Podcast, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Eric Morgan, professor of veterinary parasitology at Queen’s University Belfast, discusses the prevalence of Toxocara in the environment and why vets should care. Toxocara is a zoonotic parasite endemic throughout the UK and Ireland and has been associated with multiple human health conditions including asthma and reduced cognitive function. Eric, a recognised specialist in parasitology, brings insights from his research into parasites, especially helminths, to advise what can be done, such as the importance of monthly worming, to reduce the risk of Toxocara spread and infection. The podcast is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s support for vets to improve health and well-being of pets and pet owners through their range of medicines. ••• 𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗔, 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗠𝗕, 𝗣𝗵𝗗, 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗘𝗩𝗣𝗖, 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦 A professor in veterinary parasitology at Queen’s University Belfast, Eric Morgan is a diplomate of the European Veterinary Parasitology College (DipEVPC). His research interests centre on the epidemiology of animal diseases under climate change, and consequences for their management. Over the past 20 years he has developed a research programme on the dog lungworm Angiostrongylus vasorum, involving studies on the epidemiology of this emerging infection in dogs, foxes and gastropod intermediate hosts. Prof Morgan supports the development and dissemination of best practice in parasite control through industry and government bodies, including the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP).

Refractory, or pharmacoresistant epilepsy affects one in three dogs with epilepsy, and defines them as having frequent and severe seizures, despite appropriate drug therapy. Specialist vet Mark Lowrie joins the Vet Times Podcast to explain some of the challenges for diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of the condition Dr Lowrie has written an article on this topic for Vet Times (Volume 54, Issue 18, Pages 6-12), called “Canine refractory epilepsy – management considerations”, which is available at https://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/canine-refractory-epilepsy-management-considerations/ ••• 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗘, 𝗠𝗔, 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗠𝗕, 𝗠𝗩𝗠, 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗘𝗖𝗩𝗡, 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦 An RCVS specialist in veterinary neurology, Mark qualified from the University of Cambridge and then worked in first opinion small animal practice. Following an internship at the RVC, he moved to the University of Glasgow to complete a residency in veterinary neurology. He has a master’s degree in steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis in dogs and has a particular interest in involuntary muscle contractions, reflex epilepsy, inflammatory central nervous system disease and feline neurology. He is a director at Movement Referrals, a veterinary consultant to the International Society of Feline Medicine and Petplan’s “Vet of the Year” 2022.

Worms are evolving and sheep farming methods are changing – but how are vets to keep pace? In this Vet Times Extra podcast, sponsored by Zolvix from Elanco, we speak to Davinia Hinde of Bainbridge Vets and sheep consultant Dr Nerys Wright, who address the question. We cover everything from the business challenges of encouraging best practice worm management, and what that looks like. The pair also share their ideas and experiences on how to encourage better engagement from sheep farmers. ••• 𝗗𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗔 𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘 𝗕𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗠𝗲𝗱, 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗔𝗩𝗣(𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗽), 𝗠𝗦𝗰, 𝗠𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦 Davinia qualified from the RVC in 2006 where she entered mixed practice at Bainbridge Vets, North Yorkshire and has been in the Dales ever since. An RCVS advanced practitioner in sheep health and production and has an MSc in ruminant nutrition, Davinia was the second vet in the UK to hold a certificate in advanced veterinary practice in sheep. She is a European College of Small Ruminant Health Management resident in small ruminant health and production and a member of the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) executive committee. Davinia is also a member of the Sheep Veterinary Society’s executive committee and an assessor for the RCVS on the advanced practitioner panel. ••• 𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗦 𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗕𝗦𝗰, 𝗣𝗵𝗗 An independent sheep consultant with 17 years’ experience in the industry, Nerys is a technical advisor to SCOPS and obtained her farm animal SQP qualification in 2012. Brought up on a beef and sheep farm in Wales, Nerys completed her undergraduate and, later, her PhD in sheep production at The University of Nottingham. ••• Resources for further information to this podcast can be found at the following links: https://www.scops.org.uk/ https://www.nadis.org.uk/ https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/parasite-control-guide https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/worm-control-in-sheep https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-health-and-welfare-pathway/animal-health-and-welfare-pathway https://www.MyElanco.co.uk https://www.farmanimalhealth.co.uk

Otitis externa is a common condition in dogs and cats and one requiring much veterinary input to treat and manage. To share some of her thoughts on the disorder, European veterinary dermatology specialist Irina Matricoti joins the Vet Times Podcast. 𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗧𝗜 𝗗𝗩𝗠, 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗘𝗖𝗩𝗗 Irina obtained her degree in 2008 from the University of Bologna. Afterwards, she worked in small animal practice and, during 2008-10, completed a postgraduate programme in veterinary cytology. More recently, between 2016-19, she completed a residency programme in veterinary dermatology and became a European-certified specialist. Irina now works as a dermatology specialist in private practice and at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Bologna. Her article for Vet Times (Volume 54, Issue 22, Pages 8-11), “Otitis externa – treating and managing a painful condition”, is online at https://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/otitis-externa-treating-and-managing-a-painful-condition/

Hypertension is serious condition in cats, and likely under-diagnosed in practice. Feline specialist Sam Taylor joins the Vet Times Podcast to run through some of the diagnostic and treatment considerations. 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗔 𝗧𝗔𝗬𝗟𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗠𝗲𝗱, 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗦𝗔𝗠, 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗘𝗖𝗩𝗜𝗠-𝗖𝗔, 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗭𝗖𝗩𝗦(𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝘀), 𝗙𝗥𝗖𝗩𝗦 Sam is a feline specialist working for the International Society of Feline Medicine as its academy lead, and also at Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists as a medicine specialist. She also works clinically as a locum specialist in various clinics, seeing canine and feline medicine cases. She wrote the article, “Feline hypertension – latest on diagnostics and treatment”, in Vet Times (Volume 54, Issue 15, Pages 6-10), which is also available at www.vettimes.co.uk/article/feline-hypertension-latest-on-diagnostics-and-treatment/