Veterinary Voices UK

26/11/2025

New Study on Alcohol Use & Mental Health in the Veterinary Professions – How Can We Better Support Each Other?

The latest MAB Vet study, funded by the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative, explores alcohol use, mental health, and help-seeking barriers among UK veterinary workers. With 652 participants, it offers one of the clearest pictures we’ve had of how drinking fits into the pressures of veterinary life. The research is being led by a team of researchers from Oxford Brookes University – Dr Jennifer Seddon, Olivia Cormier MRCVS, and Dr Emma Davies.

Key Findings

➡40.4% of respondents were at some level of alcohol-related risk of harm.
Alcohol risk was higher in men, older colleagues, and those with poorer mental health.

➡ Drinking to cope or for “enhancement” (pleasure) was linked to greater harm.

➡ Help-seeking barriers included:
• Feeling that asking for support was a weakness
• Worry that colleagues would judge them
• Fear of career consequences

➡Help-seeking enablers included:
• Recognising the need for support
• Feeling deserving of help
• Feeling able to talk about alcohol openly

➡Alcohol reduction barriers included:
• Drinking being a normalised part of workplace social culture
• Drinking as a coping mechanism
• Drinking being part of daily routine

➡Alcohol reduction enablers included:
• Understanding low-risk drinking habits
• Confidence in self-efficacy
• Clear intention to reduce drinking

💭 What this means for the profession

This study makes it clear that alcohol use is not just a personal issue – it is a cultural and wellbeing issue within veterinary workplaces. Many colleagues drink to cope with stress, compassion fatigue, long hours, emotional demands, or isolation. For others, drinking has become woven into the social fabric of the job.

And yet, those who want to reduce or stop drinking often feel afraid of being judged, harming their career, or being seen as weak.

We can change this.

💙 How we can support colleagues who want to reduce or quit drinking

➡Reduce stigma
Normalise conversations around alcohol use. Strengthen the message that asking for help is not weakness – it’s self-care.

➡Rethink workplace culture
If every social event is centred around alcohol, some colleagues will feel excluded or pressured. Offer alternatives: breakfast meets, walk-and-talks, crafting sessions, board games, coffee catch-ups.

➡Encourage positive coping strategies
Workload, stress, and emotional trauma are real. Promote healthier tools: reflective breaks, debriefs, wellbeing check-ins, structured boundaries, VetLife and MMI signposting.

➡Protect confidentiality
Make sure colleagues know that reaching out for support will not be gossiped about, judged, or affect their career progression.

➡Strengthen awareness of support services
Many colleagues don’t seek help simply because they don’t know where to start. Highlight Vetlife (for mental health support), GP support, MMI resources, mental health first aiders, or peer-support networks.

➡Be mindful at social events
Small changes—mocktails, alcohol-free options, open conversation—can create an environment where reducing alcohol feels safe, accepted, and normal. If someone says they aren't drinking tonight, don't push a pint into their hands or make flippant comments that can make them feel pressured.

💬 Final thought

This study is just the start of research, and more around this is currently ongoing, it reminds us that problematic drinking is often not about alcohol itself—it’s about coping, pressure, and culture.

By fostering openness, reducing stigma, and creating alcohol free-inclusive environments, we can help colleagues who want to make changes feel supported rather than alone.

26/11/2025

What if the answer to your toughest cases was sitting right in the food bowl?

In this Vet Voices On Air, Robyn is joined by GP vet and founder of Companion Nutrition, Charley Gray, to uncover how asking one simple question — “What does your pet eat?” — can completely change the course of a case.

From itchy retrievers to raw-fed bulldogs and even a Frenchie whose seizures were linked to diet, Charley shares real-life stories that prove nutrition isn’t just an afterthought — it’s often the missing piece.

They dive into:
✅Why nutrition should be a key part of every consultation
✅How small dietary oversights can lead to big health problems
✅Why open, non-judgemental conversations with owners matter more than ever

Whether you’re tackling obesity, allergies, or puzzling GI cases, this episode shows how clinical curiosity and collaborative dialogue can make nutrition one of your most powerful diagnostic tools.

🎧 Listen now:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1z1A1dDIO4liFmNU2SmF1K?si=25129eacfe8147fa

💬 What’s the most surprising nutrition-related case you’ve ever encountered? Share your experiences below 👇

25/11/2025

New Research: Breed-Specific Internal Airway Problems in Brachycephalic Dogs

A new paper, “Breed-specific anatomical risk factors of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome”, has just been published — and it adds powerful evidence to something many of us in practice already see daily: flat-faced breeds do not share the same internal airway problems, and many of these issues cannot be surgically fixed.

Study link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023325001881?via%3Dihub

What the researchers did:

The team examined 40 pugs, 52 French bulldogs, and 21 bulldogs, performing:

1️⃣ Objective BOAS testing; All subjects underwent whole-body barometric plethysmography respiratory function testing to obtain a BOAS index and CT of the head/neck.
2️⃣ CT scans from the nares to the cervical trachea, measuring 11 validated anatomical features

They then analysed each breed separately to identify which anatomical traits were linked to more severe breathing difficulty.

Key Findings:

Different breeds = different dominant structural faults.

➡Pugs
Pugs with a higher soft tissue proportion at the rostral nasopharyngeal meatus = worse breathing
Severe (Grade III) laryngeal collapse also strongly linked to higher BOAS scores

➡French Bulldogs
Smaller nasopharyngeal index (A narrower nasopharyngeal space) = higher BOAS indices
Even mild or moderate (Grade 1+2) laryngeal collapse significantly worsened breathing

➡Bulldogs
Smaller trachea (hypoplastic trachea) = worse BOAS
Narrower nasopharyngeal space
A more extreme skull shape (higher skull index: the width to length ratio of the skull) further increased BOAS severity

✅Why this matters

'The contributory lesions of BOAS are different between the three breeds. Some of these lesions are unfortunately not amenable to surgical correction. While breed specific surgical considerations are required, lesions such as the hypoplastic trachea in bulldogs should be eliminated by breeding selection.'

The study highlights a crucial point:

👉 Many of the lesions driving BOAS are not surgically correctable.
👉 Breed-specific surgical planning is required, but genetic selection is essential to prevent future suffering.

This paper reinforces the growing scientific consensus:
➡BOAS is not simply about external presentation (although we have studies on this too that we have previously reported on) — it is a complex, breed-specific internal airway disease, made worse by extreme conformations.

Why does this help us understand?
✅Encourages transparent, evidence-based conversations with prospective puppy purchasers, owners and breeders
✅Supports breed clubs and policy-makers in shifting toward health-led breeding
✅Strengthens the case for using objective BOAS testing in clinical assessment prior to breeding
✅Highlights the limitations of surgery

As always, our priority is reducing suffering by improving understanding, promoting responsible breeding, and ensuring honest communication with clients.

24/11/2025

Brucella canis – Important Updates for Veterinary Teams

Government guidance on Brucella canis seems to has been updated on 17th November on the gov.uk websites, and we strongly recommend that practices take a proactive, risk-based approach to protect staff while continuing to provide the essential veterinary care that dogs need.

We have updated our overview article today to reflect these changes and to add further clarity.

Read the updated article here: https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/brucellosis-canis-in-the-uk-an-overview

Please note: This article is not the guidance of any organisation. It is an evidence-based overview designed to help practices understand the current information and make individualised, sensible risk assessments for their teams and clients.

🔍 Key Reminders

Brucella canis is a gram-negative zoonotic pathogen and a reportable disease via APHA under the Zoonoses Order amendments (2021).

The sensitivity and specificity of a test or test combination is important when making a diagnosis

Transmission risk can be reduced through appropriate precautions (details in the article).

You do not need to cease care for Brucella-positive dogs — a structured, informed approach keeps teams safe while ensuring patient welfare.

Top Tips for Veterinary Practices

These points support safe, sensible, proportionate practice management:

🔹 Have a protocol in place – Brucella-positive dogs can still receive veterinary treatment with the right safeguards but you must ensure your team has access to appropriate levels of PPE and that the team actually follow protocol
🔹 Brucella canis is subject to COSHH regulations, and relevant incidents fall under RIDDOR.
🔹 Wear PPE when handling imported dogs or dogs with uncertain travel histories. Risk appears low unless exposed to high-risk fluids (e.g., reproductive or abortive material).
🔹 Barrier nurse as you would for any zoonotic or infectious disease.
🔹 Test: understanding the strengths and limitations of the chosen test.
🔹 If positive, don’t panic – continue PPE, discuss risk with owners, and send confirmatory samples if indicated. Ensure owners can access this: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/brucella-canis-information-for-the-public-and-dog-owners/brucella-canis-information-for-the-public-and-dog-owners
🔹 Avoid contact with immunocompromised individuals and children until status is confirmed.
🔹 Isolate from other dogs while awaiting results, especially if entire (not neutered)
🔹 Re-test if documentation seems unreliable or travel history is unclear
🔹 Re-test >3 months post-import to account for seroconversion.

A balanced message for owners, rescues and veterinary teams:

Our aim is to support practices in reducing risk sensibly—protecting veterinary teams while still ensuring that dogs receive the clinical care they need. With appropriate protocols, informed communication, and transparency with clients, we can manage Brucella canis responsibly.

We will continue to keep this resource updated as guidance evolves (as far as we are able).

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/brucellosis-canis-in-the-uk-an-overview

24/11/2025

What Does “Contextualised Care” Really Mean in Veterinary Practice? 🐾

It’s a common misconception that contextualised care is just about money.

But as veterinary historian Alison Skipper beautifully puts it:

“If you think of contextualised care as a 3D space, money is one axis among an infinite number of axes.”

So if it’s not just about finances — what is contextualised care?

According to Veterinary Humanities UK,

“Contextualised veterinary care describes an approach that is intentionally shaped by the aims, knowledge, experiences and circumstances of individual animal caregivers and veterinary professionals, acknowledging the wider contexts of each clinical encounter, to deliver the most appropriate welfare-focused care for every animal.”

🎙️ In our latest Vet Voices On Air episode, Danny Chambers MP and Robyn Lowe sit down with Alison Skipper and Ruth Serlin to unpack the holistic meaning of contextualised care — and what it really looks like in day-to-day practice.

It’s about:
✅Meeting people where they are
✅Replacing judgement with empathy and curiosity
✅Using clinical skill and emotional intelligence
✅Balancing science with compassion for both pets and their people

This conversation explores how each consultation brings together three perspectives — the vet, the caregiver, and the patient — each with their own context and biases. Recognising this helps us to deliver more meaningful, welfare-focused outcomes.

We also dive into the ethics of the “gold standard” narrative — how striving for perfection can sometimes create moral distress when vets cannot provide what they believe is “best.” Contextualised care reminds us that the best care is not always the most expensive — it’s the care that is appropriate, compassionate, and achievable for that individual animal and owner in that moment.

💚 This episode is an invitation to reflect — not just on how we practise medicine, but on how we connect, listen, and care.

🎧 Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6kYuDrmtbOBRCBziPGfPer?si=UmNhEU-MTtmwB3PGo8HkYg

23/11/2025

Sensitive Topic Warning: Death By Su***de

We are distressed to see an online news outlet (that we will not name and shame as it could drive further traffic) re-sharing a story about one of our veterinary community who died by su***de, with a headline that states methodology used.

This is a disgrace.

There is increasing evidence that the internet and social media can influence su***de-related behaviour.

Media portrayals of su***de can influence suicidal behaviour and can lead to imitative deaths by su***de.

A wide body of evidence shows that certain types of coverage of su***de can lead to additional deaths that would not otherwise have occurred. This effect is known as su***de ‘contagion’, ‘suggestion’ or ‘the Werther effect’.

‘It’s good to talk, but it matters how we do it’ - Veterinary Record - Wiley Online Library https://share.google/59v1EHFc2s5UQ3ZWs

💬 Be careful with language. Fact check, and avoid language that sensationalises su***de (eg, suggesting an epidemic, ‘spike’ or ‘crisis’). Do not describe methods of su***de.

The news outlet in question could perhaps do with it's team 1) engaging with mental health experts before posting click bait articles that could result in more risk to life and 2) actually moderate their comments on the post where there is hundreds of very damaging comments where people even blame the veterinary surgeon who has died.

If you want to do better than this organisation in the way you conduct yourself around su***de discussion online please listen to our podcast and read the article above.

Rosie Allister and James Russell bring their wealth of experience alongside evidence-based information about how best to talk about su***de within the veterinary profession both broadly on social media and when engaging with vulnerable individuals.

We also talk about the impact of posting comments involving su***de online, though unintentional it can be actively damaging and may be causal to additional subsequent suicidal behaviour.

We explain the evidence base behind what is being shared online, and discuss how improving how and what is shared can be protective for veterinary mental health and su***de.

Su***de is complex and nuanced. Oversimplifying it can be linked to deaths that would not otherwise have happened. Mentioning methodology is a risk factor for further deaths.

If you have been impacted by this story please know, THERE IS HOPE. Please reach out for help.

Join us in this fascinating and educational podcast to learn how we can support and protect vulnerable individuals who may be affected by what we post online and by the media in ways that may not be easily foreseen.

For further support following this podcast, please see the following mental health support links:

✅Vetlife
⁠https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/⁠

✅Samaritans:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/veterinary-voices/episodes/Navigating-conversations-around-su***de-and-the-impact-of-social-media-e2qqtkr

23/11/2025

Decision Points: The Wildlife Rehab Paradox with Paul Reynolds

Vet Voices On Air with Paul Reynolds from the The British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (BWRC) & Veterinary Voices UK's Robyn.

This week’s episode takes a deep dive into some of the most challenging ethical dilemmas in wildlife rehabilitation, using the BWRC’s 10 Principles as our framework for conversation.

10 Principles - British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council: https://www.bwrc.org.uk/10-principles/

It’s an open, honest and thought-provoking conversation that acknowledges something important: wildlife care involves multiple perspectives — and they don’t always align.

In this episode, Paul and Robyn explore how public expectations, rehabilitation centre realities, and veterinary clinical decision-making can sometimes pull in different directions. From questions around treatment thresholds and release suitability, to the emotional weight of euthanasia decisions, we unpack why different groups may see the same situation differently — and why that’s okay (but also requires some understanding and respect, as wildlife facilities and veterinary professionals often face substantial abuse for their decisions around wildlife care)

What we cover:

✅Why members of the public often see saving an animal as the only ethical outcome
✅How rehabbers balance compassion, resources, legislation and welfare
✅The veterinarian’s responsibility to consider suffering, prognosis and humane limits
✅The importance of understanding biosecurity, facility standards and the wider ecosystem
✅And most importantly… how we can communicate with more empathy, transparency and shared understanding

Whether you’re in clinical practice, wildlife rescue, conservation, or just curious about the realities behind these tough calls — this is a conversation worth hearing.

🎧 Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0A9efQsL2szRaxrn7ngWaw?si=C30892arRXW6lkgGjUlyjg

As always with topics that generate a lot of opinions, we will only allow helpful, reflective and polite discussion and conversation; comments will be removed if they are rude, unhelpful and attacking.

This episode isn’t about who’s “right” — it’s about bridging gaps, improving collaboration and building a clearer shared knowledge of why different decisions are made. When we understand each other better, wildlife welfare always wins.

22/11/2025

💚 Veterinary Mental Health: It's Time We Talked About It 💚

It’s a shocking and heartbreaking statistic — veterinary surgeons are four times more likely to die by su***de than the national average. Data for the rest of the profession is sadly limited, but research is currently ongoing.

Behind every consultation, every farm visit, every late-night emergency, and every euthanasia, there’s a veterinary professional quietly carrying emotional weight that often goes unseen. Compassion fatigue, client expectations, financial strain, isolation, and perfectionism all take their toll, alongside numerous other factors including home life and other burdens. And while we’re trained to look after others, too many of us forget to look after ourselves.

But here’s the message we all need to hear:

🗣️ “There’s nothing selfish about prioritising your mental health — because others will suffer, not just you.”

In this powerful episode of Vet Voices On Air, James Russell and Danny Chambers open up about why they got involved in mental health advocacy and the work of the incredible charity Vetlife, who provide confidential mental health support to the veterinary profession every year.

They discuss the importance of speaking up early, breaking down stigma, and recognising that vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s the first step toward healing.

🩵 If you’re struggling:
You are not alone. Help is available 24/7.
📞 Vetlife Helpline: 0303 040 2551
🌐 www.vetlife.org.uk

Whether you’re a vet, nurse, student, or practice team member — or you love someone who is — please take a few minutes to listen, share, and keep this conversation alive. 💬

🎧 Listen to the episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1sCApMhE8wPLZ1R8GmOVGM?si=amNHyKZ8QGe6XuEx8qFeyA

Because caring for animals starts with caring for ourselves. 🐾💚

21/11/2025

21/11/2025

Rethinking “Young Dog = Healthy Dog”: What New OA Data Is Telling Us

In a recent article, in The Vet Times, on early diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs, we explored the growing evidence showing that chronic pain — particularly radiographic OA (rOA) — is far more common in young dogs than many people expect. The study have found a high prevalence of rOA in dogs as young as 8 months to 4 years old.

Young dogs can be especially challenging to assess. Their high energy, excitability and arousal, the ability to compensate, and the often subtle or bilateral nature of OA signs mean that both owners and veterinary professionals can struggle to recognise when something is wrong. Yet chronic pain affects not just the body, but also behaviour, sleep, and emotional wellbeing — so finding it early and treating it matters.

The good news? Small, thoughtful changes can make a difference:

✔️ Joint-friendly exercise routines
✔️ Keeping dogs at a healthy weight
✔️ Balanced nutrition and *evidence based* supplementation such as omega-3 support
✔️ Preventing muscle loss
✔️ Using analgesia appropriately

One recent study using a piprant, omega-3 supplementation, and structured leash exercise showed:

✅Improvement in client-reported outcomes
✅Increased peak vertical force
✅Improvements in the LOAD and SNoRE scores (sleep quality and OA impact)
✅Reduced joint pain over four months

While recognising the study had limitations — it highlights how multimodal, consistent management can really support young dogs living with OA.

One of the biggest factors? Obesity. Maintaining a body condition score of 4–5/9 with good musculature is essential. Excess weight doesn’t just add physical strain on joints — it is also 'pro inflammatory'; it drives inflammation.

Helping owners prioritise interventions, understand why they matter, and feel supported throughout the process is key. Without client engagement, even the best treatment plan won’t succeed.

20/11/2025

Here we have some pictures taken from a social media channel.

It says:

'Who’s afraid of a little drool? Not this gentle giant. Watch The National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day on NBC & Peacock.'

19K reactions. Only 6 'angry faces' so a overwhelmingly positive reception
1.2K shares
1.2 million views

Pretty impressive metrics; we couldn't hope to reach such dizzying heights of engagement. Yet, we feel our message should be out there, indeed, we naturally feel out message is more important.

Only two days ago we introduced the new innate health assessment tool.

https://www.innatehealthassessment.org/public

Let's consider this:

Point 2: Smooth skin: no skin folds
Point 4: Eyelids that don't turn in / out or droop

Consider this dog. A dog that is being shown in a ring for the world to see. A dog setting an example of what is considered good and acceptable, indeed it's probably considered 'excellent'. We dare say this is a dog that people would pay good money for the puppies, to breed more and more dogs with such extreme conformation, and exaggerated features. A dog that will suffer the consequences of its appearance.

Yet, the dog has had its ears cropped. A cosmetic procedure with no benefit to the dog, but that has physical and behavioural potential consequences.

Time to ‘drop the crop’ - why cutting off the tips of dogs' ears is never right - The Skeptic https://share.google/tgWRWIpoZjsUXlGhH

The dog has excessive skin folds all over its face, which also highlights its drooping eye lids. Ectropion is a condition in which a dog's lower eyelid rolls away from the eye, resulting in a droopy appearance and exposing the delicate mucous membrane or conjunctiva, which is not meant to be exposed.

This isn't in the UK. But we are still deeply disappointed to see this considered excellence anywhere.

We have to do better.

20/11/2025

The Puppy Conundrum: What Is Ethical Breeding? 🐾

The Assured Breeders Scheme was created to promote responsible breeding and improve dog welfare. It connected puppy buyers with vetted breeders who followed strict welfare-first standards — including mandatory health screening and breed-specific testing — all part of The Kennel Club’s mission to protect the health of dogs for generations to come.

However, the Kennel Club Assured Breeders Scheme closed at the end of 2024, a huge question remains… How do we make sure puppy buyers understand what an ethical breeder really looks like?

And even more controversially — does such a thing truly exist?

In this thought-provoking episode of Vet Voices On Air, Robyn Lowe is joined by veterinary surgeons Sean McCormack and Alison Skipper to explore the complex world of dog breeding — from pedigree pressures and health testing to fashion-driven puppy purchases and the ethics behind breeding itself.

They discuss:

✅The changing role of the Kennel Club and what comes next
✅What can we consider as an ethical or responsible breeder (which is subjective to different people)
✅What green flags to look for in a responsible breeder
✅How puppy demand in the UK fuels illegal imports and unethical breeding practices
✅And how veterinary professionals can help guide owners to make informed, welfare-first choices

This episode challenges us to rethink what “responsible breeding” really means — and what the future of puppy ownership should look like.

🎧 Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rRw0fEdNYT2rm0t3vdeNT?si=a3859a330b91455b