Vet Times Extra: Importance of faecal antigen testing, with Richard Sanderson and Carole MacColl

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.

Despite growing interest in preventive care, many veterinary teams face a tough reality: wellness testing isn’t always viable, and the data linking it to better patient outcomes is still emerging. Yet the logic remains compelling – earlier detection should mean earlier intervention – but should wellness testing become the norm in general practice? This episode explores the clinical value and operational realities when it comes to replacing the ‘wait and see’ with ‘track and find out.’ SPONSORED This podcast is sponsored by Zoetis, makers of the vetscan range of AI-powered diagnostic analysers, which includes the vetscan Imagyst, vetscan Opticell and vetscan VS2. For more information on the full range, speak to your Zoetis account manager to learn more or visit the website. (zoetisdiagnostics.com/us/point-of-care/chemistry/vetscan-vs2) Rory Cowlam BVetMed, PgCert, MRCVS, is a graduate of the RVC with more than a decade’s worth of experience in companion animal veterinary care. He is a certificate holder in small animal surgery and has a particular interest in preventative care. Rory works as clinical director of Pickles Vets in Fulham London and, as well as being known for his TV work with Pets Factor and more recently Blue Peter, he also serves as a charity ambassador for the RSPCA and StreetVet.

With many owners still struggling with the cost of caring for their pets, the crisis, together with wider economic pressures, is also having a significant impact on the charitable sector. Blue Cross director of veterinary services Paul Manktelow joins Allister Webb to discuss the issue and the radical changes his organisation is making in a bid to tackle it.   Podcast music: “Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Angiostrongylus vasorum is a parasite affecting dogs in the UK often with devastating consequences. Over recent years we have seen an increase in prevalence of lungworm disease. In this podcast, veterinary parasitologist and professor Eric Morgan and Jenny Helm, RCVS specialist in small animal medicine and oncology referral clinician, discuss the prevalence of A vasorum in the UK, the gaps we have in the evidence to date, routine prevention for dogs and novel options for treatment. SPONSORED This podcast is sponsored by Zoetis, makers of Simparica Trio – the only oral moxidectin licensed to treat lungworm in dogs. Simparica Trio is licensed for the treatment of flea and tick infestations, the treatment and prevention of angiostrongylosis and the treatment of gastrointestinal roundworm and hookworm infections1. For more information on Simparica Trio, speak to your Zoetis account manager to learn more or visit the website (https://www2.zoetis.co.uk/veterinary-hub/companion-animal/dogs/products-and-solutions/simparica-trio/) References: 1. Simparica Trio SPC MM-44029 Eric Morgan MA, VetMB, PhD, DipEVPC, MRCVS qualified from the University of Cambridge vet school in 1997 and left mixed practice in Wales to complete a PhD at Warwick and Imperial College London on parasite ecology and epidemiology in Kazakhstan, joining the University of Bristol’s veterinary school in 2003. There he further developed teaching and research interests in parasite transmission, moving to Queen’s University Belfast in 2017. He is co-author of more than 200 peer-reviewed papers, seeking especially to understand the impact of weather and climate change on parasite infection patterns and how these can be managed, including for emerging parasites such as A vasorum. As diplomate of the European Veterinary Parasitology College and member of various national and international initiatives, he contributes to the development of sustainable parasite control strategies and their translation into practice. Jenny Helm, BVMS, CertSAM, Dip-ECVIM, CA FHEA, MRCVS, graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow in 2005, and following this undertook a small animal rotating internship at the RVC in London. She then spent a short spell in small animal practice before returning to Glasgow to undertake a residency in oncology and internal medicine at the University of Glasgow in 2006. Jenny obtained her RCVS certificate in small animal medicine in 2008 and passed her European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM) certifying examination and became a diplomate of the ECVIM in September 2012. Jenny is interested in small animal oncology (especially promoting good quality of life and haematology) and has several academic publications in the fields of internal medicine and oncology, as well as an active research interest in canine lungworm (specifically A vasorum).

As the veterinary sector considers its response to the Competition and Markets Authority’s provisional remedy decisions, a new Big 6 podcast panel considers the current state of play and likely areas of ongoing debate. Joining Allister Webb are RCVS senior vice-president Linda Belton; SPVS board member Kate Higgins; BSAVA president Julian Hoad; British Veterinary Union chair Suzy Hudson-Cooke; IVC Evidensia CVO Gudrun Ravetz; and competition law academic David Reader. Credit for music: "Funky Chunk" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

With more than 40,000 cases reported in Central America and Mexico since July 2023, the United States is preparing for a potential outbreak of the New World screwworm fly. The parasitic blowfly – whose flesh-eating larvae feed on the live tissue of warm-blooded animals – was officially eradicated from the US in 1966, but with a case in September less than 70 miles from the border, alarm bells are ringing. Texas vet Will McCauley joins Chris Simpson to discuss the role veterinarians will have to play in detecting and combating any potential outbreaks. Podcast music: “Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

New BVA President Rob Williams joins Allister Webb to discuss his first few weeks in the role and the challenges facing the UK veterinary sector right now. Rob shares his thoughts on the Competition and Markets Authority’s provisional remedy recommendations, how the professions can help to secure legislative reform and how clinicians can help to shape a brighter future in their practice. Credit for music "Funky Chunk" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Speaking at BEVA Congress in September, vet and leading antimicrobial expert Scott Weese challenged current thinking on antibiotic course length and called for evidence to show that shortening courses can lead to the development of resistance. “How does [administering antibiotics] less cause more resistance?” he asked the packed amphitheatre (https://www.vettimes.com/news/vets/equine/vets-urged-to-treat-patients-not-lab-results-in-fight-against-amr) at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre. “It doesn’t. I’ll buy you a beer if you can give me a plausible explanation for that.” Here, Prof Weese and fellow antimicrobial expert Ian Battersby join Vet Times’ Chris Simpson to discuss the issue and the ongoing challenges surrounding antimicrobial stewardship. Podcast music: “Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this Vet Times Extra podcast, Paul Imrie is joined by Stephen Maxwell, veterinary advisor from MSD Animal Health, to discuss some of the queries to MSD Animal Health’s veterinary support line. SPONSORED Caninsulin has been a trusted brand for over 30 years and is used to treat diabetic cats and dogs. In the lead up to Pet Diabetes Month, we’ll talk through some common queries from MSD Animal Health’s Veterinary support service. MSD also offer a range of free diabetes resources designed to support practices and owners, as well as free diabetes CPD courses. To access these, visit the links below or contact your MSD Account Manager. https://www.msd-animal-health-hub.co.uk/ahp/caninsulin/tools https://msdchameleon.cordeo.net/ (printed materials) Stephen Maxwell is an MSD veterinary advisor and during the past year has been helping front-line veterinarians in the UK with their diabetic cases through technical product support. NOTE: All pets’ names in this broadcast have been changed to protect identities. Caninsulin® 40 IU/ml Suspension for Injection contains porcine insulin. POM-V. Further information is available from the SPC, datasheet or package leaflet. Advice should be sought from the medicine prescriber. Prescription decisions are for the person issuing the prescription alone. Use Medicines Responsibly. © MSD Animal Health UK Limited. UK-NON-250900041.

With an expected shortage of 24,000 companion animal veterinarians expected in the United States by 2030, the pressure is mounting on veterinary technicians to plug the gap. At the same time, vet techs are also dealing with familiar issues with retention, burnout, and underutilisation. Danielle Chesek, a certified vet tech and team lead for the vet tech programme at Penn Foster Group, joins Chris Simpson to discuss the role of veterinary technicians and the issues they’re facing. Podcast music: “Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/