Veterinary Clinical Podcasts

Dogs - and cats - with chronic intermittent gastrointestinal signs are a common population in small animal practice! What's to be done? How should we approach these patients? In this podcast I discuss these questions with Dr Karin Allenspach, Associate Professor and Reader in Small Animal Internal Medicine and Head of the Clinical Investigation Centre (CIC) at the RVC. Karin has a special interest in gastroenterology and especially in canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which we go on to discuss in more detail here.   As always, if you have any comments about this podcast, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Please take 30 seconds (!) to rate the podcasts in iTunes +/- write a review! And note that these podcasts are now also available on Stitcher Radio.

Anyone for some blood? Or how about some plasma? Transfusion medicine is a developing field in small animal practice as access to blood products increases - at least in some countries - and no doubt this trend is set to continue. In this podcast we discuss topics such as what transfusion medicine is and what the main indications are as well as some of the practical considerations with respect to administration. We also discuss blood banks and blood donors. Oh, and the small matter of changing our terminology for canine blood types! I am joined in this podcast by Karen Humm who is a Lecturer in Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) at the QMHA and a co-Director of the Transfusion Medicine service. During the podcast Karen also gives us a brief overview of the Transfusion Medicine service at the QMHA. As always, if you have any comments about this podcast, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Plea

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common problem in cats and dogs, especially as they get older. In the first podcast on CKD we discussed topics such as the anatomy and function of the kidney, why the kidney may become dysfunctional and what the consequences are, some terminology, and causes of kidney disease. In this second part we will look at clinical aspects of CKD in terms of patient approach and management, covering topics such as suspecting and making the diagnosis, IRIS staging, treatment and prognosis. I am joined once again by Dr Rosanne Jepson who is a Lecturer in Internal Medicine at the RVC and also a member of the Renal Replacement Therapy team at the QMHA. Rosanne has a special interest in nephrology in particular. As mentioned in the podcast, do check out the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) website. As always, if you have any comments about this podcast, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpo

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common problem in cats and dogs, especially as they get older. In this first of two podcasts on CKD we discuss topics such as the anatomy and function of the kidney, why the kidney may become dysfunctional and what the consequences are, some terminology, and causes of kidney disease. In the second part we will look at clinical aspects of CKD in terms of patient approach and management. I am joined for both episodes once again by Dr Rosanne Jepson who is a Lecturer in Internal Medicine at the RVC and also a member of the Renal Replacement Therapy team at the QMHA. Rosanne has a special interest in nephrology in particular. As always, if you have any comments about this podcast, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Please rate the podcasts in iTunes and write a review too! Thanks.

Everyone knows that the nurses are really in charge!!...Having already undergone some substantial changes over the last two decades or so, veterinary nursing in the United Kingdom remains in the midst of changing times as nurses continue to work for greater recognition, endorsement and accountability. This podcast features Hayley Carne BSc (Hons) RVN Grad Dip, Assistant Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at the Royal Veterinary College. Some of the things we discuss include how to become a veterinary nurse, potential career options, procedures and treatments registered nurses are allowed to do, and CPD requirements. We also touch on some more potentially contentious issues such as what impact the move towards greater qualification may have on attitudes towards basic patient care, and the future for individuals who have worked as veterinary nurses for some time without formal qualification. Find out more about nursing courses offered by the RVC at the links below: Foundation Degree in Veterinary NursingB

Portosystemic shunts (PSS) are a relatively common problem in small animals and are the subject of this next podcast in our series. The podcast features Vicky Lipscomb who is Head of the Soft Tissue Surgery service at the QMHA and has a particular interest in these troublesome vessels! Some of the things we discuss in this podcast include the different types of PSS, when to be suspicious of the problem, diagnosis and treatment options. Find out more about CPD from the RVC featuring Vicky here. If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.

Over the last 18 months or so a number of dogs in the United Kingdom have been affected by a disorder which causes skin lesions initially followed within a few days by signs of acute kidney injury. Histopathology in these cases has shown cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy consistent with changes seen in a condition known as Alabama Rot, described in North America but not previously reported in the UK. In this podcast we discuss the experience with this disorder in the UK thus far and illustrate what is – or more accurately – what is not known about this disorder. The podcast features Dr Rosanne Jepson who is a Lecturer in Internal Medicine at the RVC and also a member of the Renal Replacement Therapy team at the QMHA. Rosanne has a special interest in nephrology in particular. A couple of links mentioned in the podcast include: Forestry Commission (England) website which has a list of the reported cases including their geographical distribution The Animal Health T

Heart disease is relatively common in domestic cats and these patients form a significant part of the caseload for many companion animal veterinary practices. In this podcast we discuss feline cardiomyopathy in general terms touching on issues such as classification of types, screening for subclinical cardiomyopathy, the relevance of dietary taurine, arterial thromboembolism, and prognostication. This podcast features Professor Virginia Luis Fuentes of the QMHA Cardiology Service who has a special interest in feline cardiomyopathy and aortic thromboemoblism and is always involved in research and progress in these areas. Find out more about CPD from the RVC featuring Virginia here. If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.

What are human factors, non-technical skills and professionalism? Human factors, non-technical skills and professionalism are concepts whose importance in clinical practice is increasingly being recognised and appreciated. So far more attention has been paid to these concepts in the field of human medicine but some discussion is now occurring in veterinary medicine too. In this podcast which features Liz Chan we discuss these concepts explaining what they mean and why they are relevant to clinical practice and/or patient safety. Liz is a specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia and currently works at the RVC as a Lecturer in Veterinary Education. Find out more about CPD from the RVC featuring Liz here. If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.

Healthcare-associated infection is an extremely important consideration both in veterinary and human medicine. In this podcast we discuss issues such as what terminology we should use, why we should care about HAI, and prevention and monitoring. The podcast features Dan Chan who is Head of the Emergency and Critical Care services and also a member of the Infection Control Committee at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals. Find out more about CPD from the RVC featuring Dan here and consider some relevant webinars here and here. If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.

Many, many dogs and cats undergo general anaesthesia daily around the world. It is such a common intervention that being prepared and confident is vital and knowing how to maximise safety essential. In this podcast featuring Ian Self we discuss aspects such as patient assessment, preparation, induction, maintenance and recovery. We also touch on what the published data about peri-anaesthetic mortality is for dogs and cats. Ian is Head of the QMHA Anaesthesia and Analgesia service and a Lecturer in Anaesthesia. Find out more about CPD from the RVC featuring Ian here. If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.

Cruciate disease is one of the most common orthopaedic problems in dogs. In this podcast we review the anatomy and function of the cruciate ligaments and then go on to discuss the ways in which they can become diseased, how the diagnosis is made, and what the various treatment options are including surgical versus conservative management. The podcast features Richard Meeson who is a Lecturer in Orthopaedic Surgery and part of the QMHA Orthopaedic service. This podcast is a 'must listen' for anyone who sees or will go on to see dogs as clinical patients! Find out more about CPD from the RVC featuring Richard here. If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.

Oncology is a relatively young speciality in small animal veterinary medicine but one that is exciting and continually evolving. In this latest podcast we discuss this area with Chiara Leo of the QMHA Small Animal Oncology service. Some of the things we talk about include what cancer is and general principles of the approach to and treatment of cancer. Chiara also offers her opinion on how pre-existing perceptions of veterinary oncology need to be rethought and to evolve as this field of veterinary medicine makes good clinical progress. Be sure to listen and remember.... If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.

There are many potential ways in which dogs and cats can poison themselves! In this latest podcast we discuss some of the more well known 'classic' poisons such as chocolate, ethylene glycol (antifreeze) and anticoagulant rodenticides, as well as some more recently identified ones such as grapes/raisins/currants/sultanas and xylitol in dogs. We also chat about neuromuscular toxins such as metaldehyde and permethrins,. One of the key things we stress is the difference between dose-dependent and non dose-dependent (idiosyncratic) poisoning. The podcast features Dom Barfield, Lecturer in Emergency and Critical Care at the QMHA. Find out more about CPD from the RVC featuring Dom here. If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.

"Every month is diabetes month in my mind!" (Stijn Niessen, 2013). Diabetes mellitus is a common and very important hormonal disease in both dogs and cats. And while not reported in dogs, it has been known for some time that cats can go into diabetic remission. In this podcast featuring Stijn Niessen, Lecturer in Internal Medicine at the QMHA, we start by discussing diabetes mellitus in general terms, including how best to classify the different types, common signs of the disease, making the diagnosis and trying to make sense of the different types of insulin preparations available. Stijn then goes on to fill us in on the motivation for and aims of the new RVC Feline Diabetic Remission Clinic (email fdrc@rvc.ac.uk). In the podcast Stijn also mentions that vets in the United Kingdom can submit samples from cats for fructosamine measurement for free - find out more at this RVC Clinical Investigations Centre website page under 'Feline diabetes and acromegaly'. Find ou

Physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and rehabilitation therapies are gaining increasing recognition as being an important part of veterinary healthcare and these services are increasingly available. In this podcast we discuss the emergence, uses and potential benefits of these therapies with Holly Smith, Head Nurse for Neurology and Rehabilitation in the QMHA. If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.

A quick update on how the podcasts are going and a BIG THANK YOU to you the listeners for your interest and support! Please do feel free to get in touch including with questions about current podcasts and suggestions for future topics: Email Shailen at sjasani@rvc.ac.uk Post on our Facebook page Tweet @RoyalVetCollege hashtag #saclinpod IF YOU LIKE THIS PODCAST SERIES PLEASE RATE IT ON ITUNES - THANK YOU!!!

Urethral obstruction ('blocked cats') is a well recognised emergency problem in cats. However obstruction of one or both ureters is also increasingly recognised. In this podcast Nicola Kulendra (nee Bound) of the QMHA Soft Tissue Surgery service explains more about this condition, what the consequences are, how the diagnosis is made and treatment options available. This is a condition that may be easy to miss so be sure to listen to this podcast! Find out more about CPD from the RVC featuring Nicola here and here If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.

What are the consequences of malnutrition? What is nutritional support? When is the right time to start nutritional support? Does refeeding syndrome truly exist? When should you start feeding patients after gastrointestinal surgery? These are some of the things that we discuss in this podcast which features Dan Chan who is Head of the Emergency and Critical Care services and Clinical Nutritionist at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals. Nutritional support of veterinary patients is an area that has received quite a lot of attention in recent times so be sure to listen to this episode! Find out more about CPD from the RVC featuring Dan here If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.

Polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD) is a common presenting complaint in small animal practice; a number of different disease states can disrupt normal physiology resulting in this problem. In this episode I discuss PU/PD with Dr Rosanne Jepson who is a Lecturer in Internal Medicine at the QMHA. Some of the things we discuss include what we mean by polyuria and polydipsia, background pathophysiology that can lead to this problem, and a rational approach to the PU/PD patient. Find out more about CPD from the RVC featuring Rosanne here If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.