Veterinary Ramblings

Join us as we delve into the world of cancer research with the incredible Doug Thamm. We kick things off by exploring Doug's groundbreaking study on utilizing salmonella to target cancer cells and discuss the evolution of this innovative approach.

Moving through the episode, we get an inside look at the cancer service at Colorado State University, where Doug contributes to the 'One Cure' mission, revolutionizing cancer treatment in veterinary medicine.

Ever wondered what a day in the life of a veterinary researcher looks like? We've got you covered! Doug gives us insights into his role at Colorado State University, including whether the iconic lab coat is still a part of his daily attire.

In a touching segment, Doug shares his personal connection to cancer and how it led him to a fulfilling career in veterinary oncology. But it's not all about work! Discover Doug's life outside the lab, from his passion for speed skating to his lifelong love of making music.

As an educator, Doug reflects on his teaching experiences and leaves us with a 60-Second CPD titled "YOU can successfully treat most mast cell tumors!" To cap it off, Doug leaves us with a reflection question that will have you pondering long after the episode ends.

Don't miss this captivating conversation that seamlessly weaves science, personal stories, and thought-provoking insights.

This week we're joined by Toby Trimble, an RCVS and ECVAA Specialist in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia, award-winning speaker and founder of Trimble Group (previously Trimble Productions).
We begin this week's episode at the start of Toby's journey, from a child struggling with dyslexia to a teenager with no GCSEs or A-levels, overcoming adversity to enter the veterinary profession. He explains how, despite his unconventional application, he thrived at Nottingham vet school and went on to become an Associate Professor.
We've all felt a little uninspired at webinars, so Toby offers up his advice for presenting better and how his company, Trimble Group, aims to change the CPD game. We wonder what Toby would say to his younger self, discuss the impact of neurodiversity, and the importance of embracing your differences.
As someone who has gone on to pass many difficult exams, Toby shares his tips and tricks for exam preparation and clear thinking under pressure, delivering an excellent 60-Second CPD about teaching, which leads us to reflect on the value of storytelling in regard to audience retention.
With his team, Toby has created nearly 700 CPD lessons and online CPD broadcasts and runs the Future of Education events which are attended by academics and science communications around the world. To learn more from the Trimble Group, head over to their website (https://www.trimblegroup.io/).

In this episode, we're joined by Jack Peploe from Veterinary IT Services to discuss his top tips for IT security and learn more about his fascinating 'high-flying' hobbies outside of work.

We learn how Jack got into IT from a young age, helping his school with their IT systems, leading him to forge his own path by starting a business at 16 with the support of his family. We also discuss different technological developments including the best way to use AI, what ethical hacking actually means and the future of remote consults for veterinarians.

Stressing the importance of a life outside work, Jack takes us on an enthralling dive into the world of wingsuit flying and how he ended up representing Britain in the sport. We then discuss the importance of cybersecurity within veterinary practices and Jack shares some simple tips you can take to keep your digital door shut and your practice safe.

This episode is sponsored by Adaptix. To learn more about how they can revolutionise your practice head over to https://info.adaptix.com/adaptix-vet-3d-3

In this special episode of Veterinary Ramblings, we delve into a pressing issue currently affecting the veterinary industry. Our guest, Louise Buckley, takes centre stage as she shares her unique perspective on the treatment of dogs and their owners in relation to Brucella Canis.

Louise, a former registered veterinary nurse, made the bold decision to remove herself from the Register of Veterinary Nurses held by the RCVS as a protest against the profession's approach to this matter. Driven by her unwavering commitment to animal welfare, Louise believes that she can make a more significant impact by voicing her concerns freely outside the boundaries of the professional code of conduct.

During our enlightening conversation, Louise reveals her personal journey and the factors that led her to take this unprecedented step. Together, we explore the complex nuances surrounding Brucella Canis and the challenges faced by affected dogs and their owners. It's an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of this critical issue from someone who has been directly involved.

We would like to emphasize the importance of compassion and open dialogue within the veterinary community. We acknowledge the divisive nature of this topic and encourage listeners to engage in constructive conversations rather than engage in heated arguments. While Louise's views are her own and may not necessarily reflect those of the podcast, we firmly believe in providing a fair and impartial platform for individuals to share their stories.

Join us as we shed light on the Brucella Canis crisis and the passionate voices advocating for change. Together, let's foster a community that prioritizes the well-being of animals and works towards a better future in veterinary care.
To follow Louise's story, head over to 'Brucella Canis Former RVN resigned under protest' on Facebook.
Please note: Louise has brought to our attention that a further explanation of positive predictive value (PPV) is required to clarify what this means for the dogs involved as many people will not realise what a PPV is or what it means for interpreting the test.
PPV is in relation to dogs that have tested positive already, rather than dogs that have not yet been tested. It relates to the question that veterinary professionals need to ask once they have a dog with a positive result in front of them:
"Given that this dog has tested positive, what is the probability that this is a true positive?"
The answer is the PPV of the test in this situation and the value of the PPV interacts with both the specificity of the disease and with the prevalence of the disease among the population of interest.
In the case of the Dogs Trust data presented in this presentation, the answer is that if the specificity is 99% (the APHA claim this figure for their parallel testing SAT and iELISA combined approach), and the prevalence of Brucella Canis is 1% (based on the Dogs Trust data and corrected to reflect excess cases above the expected rate of false positives), roughly 1 in 2 dogs will be a true positive, and 1 in 2 dogs will be a false positive.
This is very different to a claim that one in two UNTESTED dogs will test positive and important that listeners appreciate this.

In this episode, Mike and Julian introduce Georgina Parsons, a driving force behind the National Union of Registered Veterinary Nurses (NURVN). The discussion covers Georgina's decade-long career as a veterinary nurse, her passion for the profession, and her role in advocating for nurses' rights and recognition through NURVN. The conversation delves into common issues veterinary nurses face, such as inadequate pay and lack of respect, and how the NURVN aims to address these challenges. Additionally, Georgina shares insights about the need for veterinary nurses to view and represent themselves as professionals.