Guinea Pigs: The Stress, The Squeaks and The Cystitis

Navaratnam Partheeban BVM&S BSc MRCVS OBE, (known as Theeb), co-founder British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (BVEDS) brings a varied background of clinical farm practice and industry including research and pharmaceuticals and a wealth of knowledge and fascination with equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the veterinary profession, alongside our very own Ami Sawran BVSc PgCertVPS(CP) PhD FRCVS making this a must-listen podcast! Join us as reflect on what EDI really means, and the importance of personal introspection to consider our individual privileges and barriers to then appreciate the privileges and barriers of those around us, and how they may affect equality, diversity and inclusivity of the veterinary profession. Though the veterinary profession and agricultural sector is improving, we are still a very un-diverse population, which needs to be recognised. We discuss simple inclusive language changes as well as easy ways to connect with clients, particularly on farm or in ambulatory practice, a technique that can help minimise the differences we may otherwise have. Sexism is still the most reported type of discrimination both across the board and in veterinary practice, despite the feminisation of the workforce. We talk about how this can be prevented through communication, self-education and alliedship. Alliedship can mean different things in different scenarios. It may not always be safe to speak out, but small changes with trusted peers and loved ones, conversations with clients and good leadership are some of them. Tune in to find out more! Want to know more? Check out the Agdiversity online awareness course for EDI by following this link: https://www.nuffieldscholar.org/agdiversity

Join good friends Danny Chambers and Gwen Rees BVSc(Hons) PhD MRCVS, chatting about her fascinating PhD into the sociology of what happens on farms after treatment plans and medications are dispensed, and the reasons compliance may not always be met. By understanding these factors and implementing change, might we improve compliance, animal welfare and antimicrobial stewardship? Gwen presents the evidence towards empathetic collaboration, how veering away from a paternalistic culture between both government and vet/ vet and farmer can provide a tailored treatment plan that fits the context of individual farms. Through jovial self-reflection we tackle the topic of ‘main character syndrome.’ Are we as vets more prone to this?! Could greater awareness of this improve client compliance across all veterinary sectors?

In this podcast we hear Carrie Kearns, a Pet Bereavement Councillor, passionately advocate for those experiencing pet bereavement. In conversation with Robyn Lowe and Danny Chambers, who bring their experiences of small animal and equine euthanasia’s, Carrie Kearns ACC Dip PBC, MHS provides compassionate insight into owner experience after pet loss giving useful tips and advice to support our clients through animal euthanasia, including making the decision, the actual procedure and coping afterwards. We discuss subjects such as disenfranchised grief, where society doesn’t allow us to validate our grief and how this can relate to losing our animals. We have a unique and special co-dependent relationship with our pets and part of ownership is a caregiving role, ensuring their needs are met, often bringing us closer together. We talk about approaching the decision to euthanise an animal, and how we as members of the veterinary team can support owners so they do not feel alone in this. We also cover simple tips like dressing a catheter can make a big difference to owner experience. Tune in to hear more! Carrie also highlights her role as a pet bereavement councillor, and how she may be able to assist both clients and veterinary staff. Carrie is a member of the newly launched Association of Pet Bereavement Councillors: a self-regulating body setup to acknowledge the relevance and value of pet bereavement councillors, who can provide niche client support. To become an accredited member, individuals must fulfil specific criteria, and they are listed with details of their location and credentials, so clients can pick a councillor tailored to their needs. Please follow the following link to view this: https://apbcounsellors.co.uk/find-a-counsellor

This podcast needs to be next up on your playlist! Listen in to Robyn Lowe in conversation with Kirstie Pickles, as she shares both evidence-based and personal insight on the topic of neurodiversity within the veterinary profession. In open and candid conversation, Kirstie Pickles BVMS MSc PgCert(CounsSkills) PhD CertEM(IntMed) DipECEIM MRCVS describes her own later-in-life diagnosis of autism and her mental health journey before and after this. As many as 1 in 6 of us are thought to be neurodivergent, making it imperative for us as a profession to be educated and aware, to be best placed to support those experiencing neurodiversity and allow them to thrive in practice. Through her research, Kirstie found the lack of awareness of neurodiversity amongst colleagues was one of the most commonly reported stressors. To address this finding, Kirstie and a large team at Vetlife has developed a free veterinary-specific neurodiversity guidance detailing information about different neurodivergent conditions and explaining how neurodivergent individuals both may excel and face challenges within veterinary practice and how we can implement reasonable adjustments in the workplace.  Yo can view it by following this link:  https://www.vetlife.org.uk/neurodiversity/ This podcast discusses the new Vetlife Neurodiversity guidance and more. We touch on the communication mismatch between neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals, the importance of being open and non-judgmental of behaviours in the workplace. We talk about how the stigma that surrounds neurodiversity at management level is the biggest reason for individuals not to seek help, having a negative impact on their mental health. It is jam-packed with useful, practical advice. For further help and information, Kirstie is founder of unedited minds, which provides neurodiversity awareness training for organisations and coaching for neurodivergent individuals:  https://uneditedminds.co.uk Some more links for support include:  The National Autism Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/ The Brain Charity: https://www.thebraincharity.org.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnqK1BhBvEiwAi7o0Xw7-bl52jxdQAZszrGTLX7vez0Dy65DkeV-NNKvTVD-rnwzOo7pCqhoCjsYQAvD_BwE The British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/  ADHD UK: https://adhduk.co.uk/

We get some top tips from financial advisor Ruth Downs and Katie Ford on how anyone can kickstart their financial planning.  Ruth Downs BA(Hons) DipPFS and Katie Ford BVSc(Hons) CertAVP(SAM) PGCert MRCVS MCMA from VetYou Ltd, that offers veterinary-specific financial advice chat alongside Veterinary Voices’ Robyn Lowe BSc (Hons), Dip AVN (Small Animal), Dip HE CVN, RVN. They discuss the value of financial clarity: knowing where you are with your money, what is coming in Vs what coming out. How splitting expenditure to non-negotiable payments (like council tax) and the stuff we spend for fun, to work out what wiggle room we have and come up with a plan for our financial future, what goals might we have and how can we achieve them. Starting to save can seem daunting especially in the current financial climate where wages are not stretching as far as they used to. Everyone is worthy of financial planning advice and to have personal goals to future proof ourselves. We talk automatic roundups, which can be organised through your bank, to put the extra pennies to one side and discuss the benefits of income protection. If you are a vet or vet nurse experiencing concerns over your finances you may like to contact Vetlife, who offer a dedicated financial support service: https://www.vetlife.org.uk/vetlife-services-financial-support/

Join farm vets Paul Horwood and Matt Dobbs in lively conversation about how the farm animal sector has changed dramatically over the last 25 years, embracing futuristic technology to provide comprehensive herd health advice, increasing animal welfare, productivity efficiency, profitability and sustainability. Matt Dobbs BVM&S CertCHP MRCVS, is both farm vet and CEO of the agritech company Agsenze, has particular insight into the agritech world. In this podcast we consider how advancements in agritech relate to us as veterinarians: could AI take over our role? Or could in fact AI support vets to process diverse and large volumes of data to provide faster, more accurate decision-making? In debate with Paul Horwood BVetMed DBR MRCVS, we discuss how well we are harnessing available technology in the UK, is there room for improvement to make UK farming become more efficient? We describe the fascinating new developments in technology that allow analysis of all aspects of herd health and discuss how prediction of production disease may become possible. Could this allow us to initiate on farm changes before output is affected? For more information, please see this article, ‘Agri-tech: will technology help or hinder food production and animal welfare?’: https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2024/05/agr-tech-will-technology-help-or-hinder-food-production-and-animal-welfare/

Join Ami Sawran and Robyn Lowe on 04.09.24 for some update information on the most recent BTV-3 outbreaks. In this podcast we discuss historical Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Bluetongue virus surveillance and frameworks put in place to plan interventions and strategies for the next BTV outbreak, and how the current outbreak fits with what we expected. Ami Sawran BVSc PgCertVPS CertAVP(CP) PhD FRCVS, explains the current restricted zones in East Anglia and the unexpected outbreak in Yorkshire and how the 2 different scenarios (expected/ unexpected) will be handled. For up to date and clear representation of this, please see the APHA interactive Bluetongue virus map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=514ec88edec74575958d860f0196d2ea How sheep, cattle and camelids present with BTV-3 is discussed, including the high incidence of lameness. For more information on this please follow the link to an In Practice article: https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/inpr.429 Take home messages: ·     If in doubt report it! ·     Restricted areas include Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex ·     20km restriction zone around Yorkshire outbreak ·     As BTV is circulating the UK midge population, culling is NO longer necessary ·     Treat the animal with supportive medicine including pain relief ·     Check the APHA or ring their helpline for advice ·     3 unauthorised vaccines in the pipeline, if you are interested in trialling them please get in touch  Where can I find support? https://ruminanthw.org.uk/bluetongue-virus/ BTV hotline: 024 7771 0386 (chose APHA option) https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bluetongue-information-and-guidance-for-livestock-keepers

In frank conversation, Liz Barton and Ami Sawran discuss the “hot” topic of the menopause. Do you think this podcast won’t apply to you? Think again! Every single one of us will be impacted by menopause, whether it be ourselves or our partners, colleagues and clients. So, let’s get these menopause facts on the table. Normalise it to break the taboo surrounding it. Did you know there are 34 listed symptoms? This makes the menopause a unique experience for all. 75% of people will experience perimenopausal symptoms that will negatively impact them, lasting on average a whole decade. Liz Barton MA VetMB MRCVS, co-founder of Wellvet and Vetmums and Head of Communications for VetCT describes how for her the menopause was a crouching tiger, hidden dragon, affecting her veterinary career when she wasn’t expecting it. With Veterinary Voices’ very own Ami Sawran BVSc CertAVP PGCert VPS PhD MRCVS, this podcast discusses the experiences of menopause for women in the profession and the impact it has on the profession through mental health and retention issues.   We talk about the positive adjustments that can be made in the veterinary workplace and Liz provides details about the first veterinary-specific menopause resources that are now freely available online through Wellvet. Let’s feed this tiger and let it sit quietly in the corner! Please see free Veterinary-specific resources on: https://www.wellvet.co.uk/resources/menopause-resources-for-veterinary-teams/

Listen to John Chitty and Robyn Lowe chatting about their mutual love of all things guinea pig. Small animal and exotics vetJohn Chitty BVetMed CertZooMed MRCVS and Veterinary Voices' very own Robyn Lowe BSc (Hons), Dip AVN (Small Animal), Dip HE CVN, RVN tackle the common misconceptions around guinea pigs and delve into the wonderful world of cystitis. Could a holistic approach be more successful? Could reducing stress with changes in husbandry trump antimicrobials? And are they just really cats in disguise?! Catch up on the latest tips and tricks with us. If you are as enthusiastic about small furries as these guys this is a podcast you won’t want to miss it. Robyn and John share their wealth of experience, discussing everything from the colourful descriptions of bedding to the sludgey joys of urine! If you enjoyed this podcast and want to learn more, come to the Guinea Pig Welfare Forum, in Birmingham on the 19th September, sponsored by Burgess Pet Care! See the link to sign up: https://guineapigalliance.com/guinea-pig-welfare-forum/

Offering gold standard treatments but not getting the outcomes you would expect? We discuss the importance of contextualised care: a holistic consideration of both patient and client needs and capability. A contextualised care approach can help us provide individuals with the right treatment for their situation, maximising client compliance and ultimately getting the best patient outcomes possible.  Old friends, Dr Hannah Capon, founder of Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) and Veterinary Voices very own Robyn Lowe RVN, use their experiences of multimodal management of osteoarthritis (OA) cases in practice to explore this fascinating topic. Their infectious mutual passion to improve client communications to enable the best patient care is hard to resist!