Veterinary Voices UK

09/06/2025

Let's give our support to the incredible Steph, who is raising awareness and fundraising for Endometriosis UK.

https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-facts-and-figures

1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth of reproductive age in the UK suffer from endometriosis. On average it takes 8 years 10 months from the first GP visit to get a diagnosis.
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On May 9th (and 10th!) 2025 I completed “The Lap” ultramarathon, 47 miles on the hills and trails around Windermere.

I was raising money and awareness for Endometriosis UK (currently just over £1000 sponsorship but final total still TBC) but the biggest reason was far more personal than that.

I always feel better when I am fit and active, being in the mountains and high places feeds my soul too! But the cyclical pain and fatigue of endometriosis makes consistency in training really hard.

When I was told the waiting list for my second surgery to remove the abnormal tissue was likely to be over a year - I wanted a challenge to work towards, to get fitter going into surgery and motivate my recovery afterwards…as the surgery is done keyhole it is frequently referred to as a “lap” in the endo community…so when I saw adverts for “The Lap” ultra marathon everything clicked and I signed up!

I ended up waiting 19 months for surgery - in July 2024 I had a 2.5 hour surgery to remove endometriosis tissue from both ovaries, pelvic side walls and uterosacral ligaments, plus adhesions from my bowel, scarring over one of my ureters was also noted.

Living with a chronic painful disease teaches you to keep putting one foot in front of the other even though sometimes getting through the day feels impossible…and that attitude got me round the lap too! Despite best intentions, my training continued to be inconsistent so I stood on the start line (at 6am) knowing I was nowhere near as fit as I wanted to be…the planned target of 16 hours became 21 hours 15 minutes to get to the finish line (at 3:15am the following day) - but I did it!

It was incredibly hard at times, it was exhausting, it was lonely in places - but the highs were breathtakingly amazing and will be lifelong memories. The support of amazing friends, family and total strangers got me through…what a metaphor for life with a chronic illness!

Endometriosis affects 1in10 and is listed by the NHS as one of the top 20 most painful conditions…yet still takes an average of 7 years to diagnose (16 years for me). Chances are that even if you don’t know much about it, at least one person (probably more) in your friend group or work place will be an

08/06/2025

Tackling the guinea pig: owner mismatch. Remember beauty is more than skin deep.

Join our host Robyn Lowe discussing one of her favourite topics: guinea pigs with Hannah Messer, RVN and manager of the Potato Patch Guinea Pig Sanctuary.

We discuss the main reasons guinea pigs require rehoming and touch on the overwhelming numbers of guinea pigs that are currently needing rescue. It is essential for owners to fully understand basic feeding, housing and enrichment needs of the guinea pig they are taking on and we debate the role veterinary staff have to educate clients on this and the extent this should be explored in history taking when presented with a guinea pig with health issues.

We run through optimum indoor and outdoor housing provision, and how for owners and guinea pigs each may have its pros and cons. We tackle the idea that guinea pig temperament and confidence with being handled can vary hugely, largely based on how much exposure to humans they have in the early phases of life. Many may be very nervous when handled and are not suited to a home that wants to handle them regularly. It is important we do not fall into the trap of picking guinea pigs based on looks, but instead to understand how their needs reflect our own and decrease the owner: guinea pig mismatch.

Hannah alongside other rescue organisations are doing an important job. To access more information on this and other guinea pig related facts, you can follow Hannah via The Potato Patch page on Facebook.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/veterinary-voices/episodes/Tackling-the-guinea-pig-owner-mismatch--Remember-beauty-is-more-than-skin-deep-e33r9ud

07/06/2025

Britain is a sitting duck for the next major animal disease outbreak — and the government knows it. A damning report from the National Audit Office just published. Here’s what you need to know.

Only 5% of live animals entering the UK are physically checked — even though the official target is 100%. That’s a gaping hole in our defences.

Diseases like foot-and-mouth, bird flu, and African swine fever could devastate our farms and our food supply. We’ve had bird-flu outbreaks back-to-back for 5 YEARS. Our animal health systems are stretched to breaking point — with no proper plan to recover or prepare for worse.

With climate change and rising antibiotic resistance, the risks skyrocket. These outbreaks are getting more frequent, more serious — and harder to control.

Post-Brexit chaos hasn’t helped. Illegal meat imports are slipping through border checks, which are both a public health risk and could bring in animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth.

The experts say we need:
– A proper national plan
– Better border checks
– An expanded public health and agricultural veterinary workforce
– Long-term investment in facilities for the Animal and Plant Health Agency

As a vet and an MP, I’m really worried about the damage these outbreaks can do. This is a ticking time bomb. The government must act now — before it’s too late.

https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025-06-05/uk-unprepared-for-major-animal-disease-outbreak-warns-report

02/06/2025

Puppy yoga, and now we hear about cocktails with puppies.

In recent years, the RSPCA (England & Wales) , British Veterinary Association - BVA , Naturewatch Foundation ,PDSA, The Kennel Club UK and more have raised concerns about classes and events containing puppies.

During an Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (DEFRA) meeting Dr Justine Shotton, Senior Vice President at the time of the British Veterinary Association said "we have serious concerns about the welfare of those puppies."

Shotton added that their concerns would be that "it's a sort of marketing tool for puppy sales and irresponsible puppy sales."

💬 That's at least nine lessons they took part in before they were eight weeks old, up to three times a day. That’s up to four hours in these spaces with a fifteen minute gap inbetween.

There are now events for 'hen dos' with puppies, cocktails nights and party events.
There are some SERIOUS questions we need to be asking ourselves and those running them before engaging. These events are unlikely to be in the best interests of the puppies involved and could be supporting unethical breeding practices.

https://www.itv.com/news/2023-07-04/puppy-yoga-commodifying-cute-animals-mps-warned

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jul/13/puppy-yoga-dog-welfare-documentary-animal-welfare

01/06/2025

This is Jack, one of our

He raised £4440 for a very special reason 🩷

Here is Jack's story 🩷

On the 27th April Jack carried the biggest challenge in his life, running 26.2 miles through the streets of London in something that will be an enormous physical and mental challenge. But, this is nothing in comparison to what Ruby (my niece) and her family went through when she was born. Running in London is something incredibly special due to the location being so close to Great Ormond Street where Ruby spent a lot of time as a baby. Every donation no matter how big or small means the world to our entire family and also to the incredible charity that myself and my Brother in law are running for.

In 2018, My Sister & Brother in Law's world was forever changed by three words: Tetralogy of Fallot. It was more than just a diagnosis for their unborn daughter, Ruby; it marked the beginning of a journey filled with challenges, courage, and incredible compassion. Ruby, their little warrior, has faced three open-heart surgeries at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) before even celebrating her first birthday.

Each surgery showcased Ruby’s incredible resilience, leading to extended stays at GOSH. The hospital was more than just a facility for healing—it became a second home. GOSH ensured her Mum & Dad were there for Ruby at every moment, offering support that transcended medical treatment. Their comprehensive care touched not just Ruby, but our whole family.

Running through London is not just a race; it’s a homage to GOSH, where Ruby’s heart grew strong and our family discovered resilience. It celebrates the critical surgeries and the warm, supportive environment GOSH extended, easing our toughest moments.

Ruby truly is a testament to how far medical procedures and knowledge has advanced. The pioneering surgeries performed all over the globe gives families hope when their world is turned upside down through all sorts of illnesses and conditions.

Every donation, big or small, helps GOSH from supplying the simple comfort of a cup of tea for parents to the advanced medical equipment for our little fighters. Your gift makes a real difference. Every donation is also matched £ for £ by my wonderful employer IMV Imaging

Thank you for being part of our story, and for helping us give back to the hospital that gave Ruby's family so much!

30/05/2025

Thank you to our community for highlighting an article regarding veterinary complaints, although our article on social shaming is not totally relevant to the published article, this blog highlights more about the veterinary profession and how to complain in a way that encourages a resolution.

Ask yourself, why are you complaining?

✅ How to complain constructively

Do not engage in abusive, threatening or intimidating behaviour, either in person or online. There is no excuse for ‘trial by social media.’

If you have genuine concerns about the treatment of your pet, these should be raised through the appropriate channels- initially by writing to the manager or director of the veterinary practice itself.

Avoid the knee jerk reaction to call for veterinary professionals to be struck off the veterinary register - this is rarely an appropriate outcome. Many people do not realise that being struck off means the individual can no longer work as a vet or registered veterinary nurse.

Financial disputes are not a professional conduct issue and so complaining to the RCVS is not appropriate or constructive in these cases. Financial disputes should be resolved by discussing with the manager or director of the veterinary practice.

People working in veterinary medicine are among the most diligent, compassionate and hardworking individuals, so a spurious complaint can cause a huge amount of stress and sleepless nights for months on end.

It is only appropriate to complain to the RCVS if you believe your vet has been dishonest, negligent or unprofessional in their dealings with you.

Obviously some complaints are justified, but they are best made when emotions are not running high. Sometimes an informal chat with the vet or manager will resolve the issue, as more often than not it turns out there is simply a misunderstanding. Most complaints arise as a result of poor communication which can often be easily rectified. If you’re still not satisfied, a formal complaint in writing being clear about your specific issue should be the next step.

Think carefully about the outcome you wish to see as a result of the complaint - do you want an apology? A reduction in your bill? A vet or nurse to be punished in some way? Always remember that the vet or vet nurse you are complaining about will be a highly diligent, compassionate and caring human being who will undoubtedly suffer significant stress as a result of the complaints process.

Above all, remember that trolling a veterinary practice on social media will not help to resolve your complaint, and the resulting barrage of online abuse will cause a huge amount of stress and upset to all the staff who work at that veterinary practice.

Read more here:

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/stop-social-shaming

If anyone from the veterinary profession has been affected by this article shared, and need support, please contact Vetlife , the Veterinary Mental Health Charity, who are there to support you 24/7 via email or phone call.

28/05/2025

Dog Bite Awareness

Report videos like this, educate yourself and your children on respecting dogs, giving them space and reading body language.

➡️ Animal videos on social media can be cute, but veterinary and behaviour professionals regularly see some that are described as adorable when in fact they fill us with anxiety to see!

➡️Reading a dogs body language can be difficult, but it's important to teach all the family how to pick up signs of a stressed, upset or agitated dog, especially children. Dogs usually tell us MANY times before they bite but often in a very subtle way.

➡️Everyone has their bad days, and we must not push our canine companions to the brink of their patience by failing to recognise telltale signs that the situation they are in makes them uncomfortable.

➡️Every dog is individual, some climb the ladder of communication/reaction (see picture in comments) quickly, others will be telling us for a LONG time that they are unhappy and are uncomfortable with the situation before they are pushed to react.

➡️ Veterinary professionals come across many people who tells us the dog has bitten without any warning, but the likelihood is (although not in every case) that the dog was telling us and we just didnt know how to listen and we know it can be very hard, which is why we want to educate.

Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - APBC stated:

➡️Dog behaviour expert Dr Carri Westgarth, from the University of Liverpool, said: "It is important to remember that any dog can bite regardless of how well you know the dog, and most bites will occur in the owner's home.

"...We should ensure that we give dogs their own safe space to be alone, give them plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and when your dog wants to be left alone - leave them be.

"Dog bites to children can be very severe so ensure that you observe children and dogs closely and intervene when necessary.

"Dogs do not want to bite you, it is a last resort response for them, so watch out for any warning signs of them being uncomfortable in a situation and remove yourselves, or them, from it."

Every dog is individual but some signs are:

➡️Licking lips?
➡️Yawning?
➡️Whale eye?
➡️Frozen?
➡️Crouching?
➡️Tense?
➡️Rolling on back?
➡️Ears back?
➡️Panting?
➡️Turning away?

It may save a life, a child or the dogs!

Listen to our Podcast on how to recognise the signs a dog is uncomfortable and may be about to bite
Dog Bites - Is It All A Big Misunderstanding?⬇️
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/veterinary-voices/episodes/Dog-Bites---Is-It-All-A-Big-Misunderstanding-e2g0766/a-aavthnv

27/05/2025

We are a community, and a veterinary team is often a central point where people within a community come with their beloved animals to ensure they maintain their health and welfare, alleviate pain and suffering and work together for the best outcome when they're poorly. Farm vets are central to the farming community when they arrive on a farm to manage herd health and welfare. It's time to open conversations and make sure people feel connected.

Whether you are a client or colleague, we are so incredibly sorry if you're currently feeling scared, sad and alone.

Those who spread the message of hate and contempt are often heard the loudest, but we want to share a message of kindness, trust, allyship, tolerance, respect, compassion, community and friendship.

🩵 Amplify🩵

At a time when the UK news is filled with such horrors and sadness, it's important to be an advocate for those who may no longer feel safe, and amplify messages of support and kindness.

Share stories from your local community, of bake sales and fundraisers, of charity challenges and community resilience, of rebuilding and respect, of fun runs and friendship.

We are a community, and a veterinary team is often a central point where people within a community come with their beloved animals to ensure they maintain their health and welfare, alleviate pain and suffering and work together for the best outcome when they're poorly. Farm vets are central to the farming community when they arrive on a farm to manage herd health and welfare. It's time to open conversations and make sure people feel connected.

Whether you are a client or colleague, we are so incredibly sorry if you're currently feeling scared, sad and alone.

Our communities are here, those who spread the message of hate and contempt are often heard the loudest, but we want to share a message of kindness, trust, allyship, tolerance, respect, compassion, community and friendship.

🩵This message is for you to share your love.
🩵Your compassion for your clients.
🩵Your respect for your veterinary team.
🩵Your pictures of your animals enjoying friendship and fun.

When they go low, we go high - Michelle Obama.

27/05/2025

There is a reel that keeps cropping up, where a group are sitting around a table and you can hear a noise, so load it sounds like someone is sawing wood. It transpires that the noise is coming from a dog. Now admittedly, this is a snapshot of time and we have no idea the history of this dog, but this is being shared by thousands of people and could lead to this being seen as 'normal' when it is far from the truth.

So let's talk Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

We need people to stop breeding for aesthetics and instead breed for health and welfare. Health and welfare of these dogs is currently compromised by breeding practices and undermines the efforts of the few breeders attempting to breed for healthier confirmation.

In brachycephalic dogs, while the length of the muzzle/snout is reduced as dogs are bred with flatter faces, there is often no decrease in the size of the soft tissue contained within the skull. Essentially their skeletal muzzle gets shorter, but none of the soft tissue structures do.

This can cause a number of issues:

➡️Stenotic nares (small or pinched nares/nostrils)
➡️Aberrant nasal turbinates (the bony turbinates extending too far caudally/backwards beyond the nasal cavity)
➡️Overcrowded turbinates
➡️Over long and thick soft palate (the soft tissue that can pleat at back of mouth causing airflow issues)
➡️Hypoplastic trachea (underdeveloped or too narrow windpipe)
➡️Soft tissue constricts air flow within the nasal cavity and can cause a partial obstruction of the pharynx and larynx area

Dogs often require corrective surgery in order to improve their welfare. BOAS doesn't just have implications on adequate respiratory function but also cardiac health and thermal regulation.

If you're a veterinary surgeon wanting to learn more about how to assess BOAS, you can start by becoming a Respiratory Function Grade assessor. This is just one of many tests that should be carried out, but is a quick and non invasive test for owners to engage in. Search online for the next session. We are proud to say that Veterinary Voices UK has a member of their team who attended such training, which covered a magnitude of information on the implications of brachycephaly and helps add another tool to your kit in examination.

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/brachycephalic-dog-health-and-welfare

25/05/2025

Veterinary su***de: how postvention can be prevention.

This podcast is on the emotive subject of veterinary su***de in which John Gibson shares his personal story of the loss of a loved one to su***de with Robyn Lowe. It is a very open and deep conversation that may be a difficult thing for you to listen to right now. If you feel able and safe to listen, then please remember that if you feel affected in anyway by this podcast, to reach out for support.

You can contact Vetlife helpline, whose phonelines are available 24/7 on 0303 040 2551 or by anonymous web contact through the website link: https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/.

In addition, if you are experiencing thoughts about ending your life you can text CANMORE to 85258, they are available 24/7.

Following the death of his son Cameron, John, alongside his wife Isobel, founded the Canmore trust, a charity that works towards both su***de prevention and postvention. They work with people struggling to want to stay in the world, to find a safe space despite the struggles and difficulties they may be facing right now. They have a particular interest in the veterinary profession as their son Cameron was a newly qualified vet. They work on both an individual and policy level to prevent veterinary su***de.

We talk frankly about the different patterns and types of grieving we may experience as individuals within a team, how this may be experienced at different times and the misalignment that may create. We touch on disenfranchised grief, discuss how more support is needed for veterinary mental health around animal euthanasia as well as the importance of postvention support following su***de in the workplace. Postvention support may indeed prevent future su***de attempts.

Please join us to hear from John, a determined, compassionate individual whose purpose is to bring hope and support to those experiencing suicidal thoughts or grieving a loved one to su***de.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/veterinary-voices/episodes/Veterinary-su***de-how-postvention-can-be-prevention-e3356mv

23/05/2025

🩵If You Look For It, I've Got A Sneaky Feeling You'll Find That Love Actually Is All Around.🩵

In films a 'meet-cute' is an amusing or charming first encounter between two characters that leads to the development of a relationship between them.

We want to hear about the moment you fell in love. Head over heels with your 'soul companion'.

Whether a cat, dog, bird, reptile or invertebrate, the joy that a companion can bring to your life is one of pure devotion, love, care, companionship and joy. Pet ownership is not without its hardship, but the love they bring is so enriching.

Tell us how you are your companion met, we want to know the veterinary 'meet-cutes'- was it via a wonderful breeder who was invested in you and their brood? Was it a rescue that you simply fell in love with? Was it a chance meeting that changed your life?

Share pictures and share the love

23/05/2025

Dog behaviour expert Dr Carri Westgarth, from the University of Liverpool, said:

"It is important to remember that any dog can bite regardless of how well you know the dog, and most bites will occur in the owner's home.

"...We should ensure that we give dogs their own safe space to be alone, give them plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and when your dog wants to be left alone - leave them be.

"Dog bites to children can be very severe so ensure that you observe children and dogs closely and intervene when necessary.

"Dogs do not want to bite you, it is a last resort response for them, so watch out for any warning signs of them being uncomfortable in a situation and remove yourselves, or them, from it."

Every dog is individual but some signs are:

➡️Licking lips?
➡️Yawning?
➡️Whale eye?
➡️Frozen?
➡️Crouching?
➡️Tense?
➡️Rolling on back?
➡️Ears back?
➡️Panting?
➡️Turning away?

It may save a life, a child or the dogs!

Want to start the conversation with your children?

Start introducing concepts with some books such as 'Buddy and Tilda' and 'Why Don't They Listen?' by Canine Arthritis Management

'Buddy & Tilda' is a recently published not-for-profit children's picture book aimed at promoting key educational messages regarding how children (and adults) should interact with dogs. All profits from sales of the book are being donated to two important charities Hope Rescue, where the real life Buddy was adopted from, and Bristol Children's Hospital, where the author Catherine works.

Remember:

➡️Teach children to respect their pets
➡️Supervise children and animals
➡️Do not disturb a sleeping dog
➡️Do not disturb a dog eating
➡️Tell children to not take high value objects off dogs (especially if previous risk of resource guarding)
➡️Learn the subtle signs of dog body language (by the time they escalate to a growl or bite they may have been telling you for a long time!)
➡️Do not encourage inappropriate play
➡️ Separate dogs from children if required. Not not force a dog to receive attention it does not want
➡️ Give dogs a safe place to move away from children

The list goes on... any more advice?