Veterinary Ramblings - Episode 100: Improving The Lives Of Animals With Dr Alick Simmons

Episode 100: Improving The Lives Of Animals With Dr Alick Simmons

07/20/23 • 71 min

This week we are joined by Dr Alick Simmons, a distinguished expert with a captivating career in animal welfare.
Dr. Simmons takes us on a journey through his fascinating experiences and the motivation behind writing his groundbreaking book, 'Treated Like Animals: Improving The Lives Of Animals We Own, Eat And Use.'

Together, we delve into the complex concept of animal sentience and explore the intriguing ways in which various species are perceived and treated differently by society.

One of the central topics we explore is the profound impact of dietary choices on animal welfare and the planet. Dr. Simmons shares his personal approach to making ethical, informed decisions about food while acknowledging individual circumstances.

As attitudes towards animal welfare and exploitation continue to evolve, we discuss the significance of allowing animals to exhibit their natural behaviours and the strides that have been made in this direction.

Warning: This episode contains a candid conversation on animal slaughter and the contentious ventilation shutdown method. Dr. Simmons courageously addresses the complexities and decisions involved in confronting this sensitive issue.

The conversation naturally steers toward the management of diseases, including the controversial topic of badger culling to combat TB and its implications for wildlife management in the UK.

Dr. Simmons leaves us with a captivating 60-second CPD on wildlife management in the UK, prompting us to reflect on the disparities in how we treat animals and how we can extend our support to animals beyond our immediate care.

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Together, we delve into the complex concept of animal sentience and explore the intriguing ways in which various species are perceived and treated differently by society.

The conversation naturally steers toward the management of diseases, including the controversial topic of badger culling to combat TB and its implications for wildlife management in the UK.

Support the show ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Previous Episode

Ep 99: Healthcare, Cats Protection and Understanding Change With Jacky Eyres

This week we're delighted to be joined by Jacky Eyes, a retired Doctor of philosophy, human medicine nurse and current long-standing volunteer for Cats Protection.
In this episode, we dive deep into Jacky's career, which began when she fearlessly embarked on her nurse training at the young age of 17. She takes us on a captivating journey through the various positions she held and reveals how she gracefully transitioned her career into leadership development.

Jacky opens up about her observations on how the NHS has evolved over the years and the profound impact she believes it has had on shaping people's perceptions regarding the cost of veterinary pet care.

Retirement hasn't slowed Jacky down one bit! As a volunteer branch coordinator for an impressive 15 years at Cats Protection, she has dedicated her time and energy to making a real difference in the lives of countless feline friends. Tune in as Jacky explains the aims of this incredible charity, the primary reasons why cats are rehomed, and how she found herself in such a pivotal role.

But that's not all—Jacky's responsibilities extend beyond branch coordination. She also oversees the adoption process within her branch and shares fascinating insights into how it has evolved since the pandemic hit. Want to know more about why people choose to foster cats for charity? Well, Jacky spills the beans and even offers valuable information on how you can get involved if it piques your interest.

Prepare yourself for a shocking tale of the havoc unneutered cats can wreak within a community. Jacky recounts an extreme example of what happens when things go wrong and how Cats Protection steps in to deal with such cases. Let's just say, it involves over 50 cats creating a rather messy situation on one residential street!

You won't want to miss Jacky's fantastic 60-second CPD entitled 'If there's only one thing you know about change, make sure it's this.' Get ready to be inspired as she imparts valuable wisdom on understanding change and the intricate process it entails. And as a bonus, she leaves us with not one, but two thought-provoking reflective questions to ponder upon.

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Next Episode

Episode 101: From Academia to Antibiotics with Prof. Ian Ramsey

We're delighted to be joined by award-winning writer and former BSAVA President Professor Ian Ramsey.

Join us as we delve into the pivotal moments that shaped Ian's career and explore the evolving landscape of veterinary education and practice.

The episode commences with Ian recounting his early passion for veterinary science, sparked by a biology homework assignment. We learn how this childhood fascination paved the way for his decision to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and ultimately shape the next generation of aspiring veterinarians.

He divulges how a transformative case report led him on an unexpected path towards academia, where he discovered his true calling as a professor. We also gain insights into his award-winning paper on TSH, a significant milestone in his academic journey.

Ian shares his thoughts on why everyone tends to experience bouts of boredom with their job, the profound impact of the pandemic on career perceptions and how it has created ripples of change for the upcoming generation of veterinarians.

Our conversation then delves into the realm of education, where Ian sheds light on how universities stay ahead of the curve in teaching methods to ensure students receive the best education possible. We discuss the merits of different formats such as live and pre-recorded sessions, considering their effects on attention spans and overall learning outcomes.

In our 60-Second CPD, we delve into the intriguing topic of fever, exploring the distinctions between hyperthermia and pyrexia. Ian raises thought-provoking questions about whether veterinarians should continue to treat fever in patients as we traditionally do.

Lastly, we learn how Ian is fighting the battle against antimicrobial resistance and explore the significance of following protocols and guidelines, and the potential impact on patient care and outcomes.

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