Vet Times

Tag: Dogs

  • Dog walker insurance

    Dog walker insurance

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    When is an insured dog not insured? I think we’re probably all pretty well versed in this: When it’s pre-existing. When the policy has been cancelled. If it’s an excluded condition. If it’s a preventable disease and a prophylaxis hasn’t been given. Yet there is an area where medical insurance may not cover your dog:…

  • An unrecognised reliance on technology

    An unrecognised reliance on technology

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    It’s surprising how much we rely on the internet and associated technologies. In fact, you don’t quite realise how much it helps until you find yourself without it. I experienced a weird widespread internet fault. I’m not sure if it was localised to to my geographical area, but, for a few hours, neither my mobile…

  • The importance of pre-purchase nurse clinics – the missing piece?

    The importance of pre-purchase nurse clinics – the missing piece?

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    It is a renowned fact among the veterinary profession that the number of brachycephalic breeds in rehoming centres is soaring. As veterinary nurses it needs to be our role to educate owners-to-be on which breed of dog is the most suitable for their circumstances. This allows owners to make informed decisions when opting to either…

  • How to survive your first weeks as a new grad

    How to survive your first weeks as a new grad

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    You’ve done it – five long years of hard work and study have paid off and you’ve graduated as a fully fledged vet. Welcome to the veterinary community. And it is just that – a community of people who’ve all been there and had a first day as a vet. You’ll find that everyone (meaning…

  • Pet safety in an emergency

    Pet safety in an emergency

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    It’s almost a year since the fire at Grenfell Tower in west London – an awful event taking so many lives and causing distress to those who survived. You may recall concern at the time for a number of pets there, as some people had tried to move their pets safely and had lost them,…

  • The only way is ethics part 2: inequality

    The only way is ethics part 2: inequality

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    I’ve written about one particular coincidence before on this blog. It’s not much of an anecdote, but it stuck with me because, in many ways, it gets to the root of one of the peculiar hypocrisies that pepper our relationship with animals. I had just finished my consultation with a long-standing feline patient – a…

  • The ‘many paws’ depriving our pets

    The ‘many paws’ depriving our pets

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    I’ve recently been to a writing group I sometimes go to, because, well, I suppose I am a writer. I’ve never written that before, but I do get paid to write, so I suppose I’m a “professional”, and I do write and get published quite a lot. Now I’m meant to do some stuff with…

  • Anal glands: the tax bill of canine anatomy

    Anal glands: the tax bill of canine anatomy

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    Considering the massive variety of day-to-day tasks we perform as vets (social worker, diagnostician, surgeon, diplomat and so on), it’s strange the first thing people always think of when they hear we’re vets – other than to tell us how much money we earn, evidence on our payslips to the contrary – is to fixate…

  • How to handle breeders: let battle commence

    How to handle breeders: let battle commence

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    Breeders (of any species) can be some of the most challenging clients you’ll come across as a vet, and every year Crufts reminds us why. A lot of tension always ensues as interpretations of The Kennel Club’s breed standards often contrast with the opinions of vets. Despite a well-rounded veterinary education and some excellent EMS…

  • You don’t fake your appointments… do you?

    You don’t fake your appointments… do you?

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    Controversial statement alert: I believe every practice I’ve worked in that has an appointments system has had someone working in it who books fake appointments for the final appointment of the day/session/week. Before you all start piling on to agree, disagree or otherwise, let me explain what this is about. I am aware booking false…