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!

For many of us, being a veterinary surgeon or a veterinary nurse is more than just a job - it's our whole identity!

But what happens when doubts creep in, and the passion fades?

In this episode, join Danny Chambers as he delves into the complexities of veterinary identity with Jenny Guyat from Vet Harmony.

Whether it's questioning your career path, navigating the impact of parenthood's, or just feeling stuck in a rut, you're not alone.

Jenny shares insights on how personal development is just as crucial as clinical CPD. Together, they explore strategies for self-reflection, career pivots, and achieving a fulfilling work-life balance.

Tune in as we redefine success and uncover the keys to thriving, not just surviving, in the world of veterinary medicine.

www.vetvoices.co.uk/podcasts