In this thought-provoking episode of The Consult Room, we explore the contentious XL Bully ban that has stirred considerable debate across the veterinary and animal welfare sectors. With the legislation now in effect, making it illegal to own, breed, rehome, or sell an XL Bully without specific exemptions, the repercussions are vast and varied. This episode aims to dissect the emotional and practical implications of the ban and how it has impacted the veterinary sector. In this episode, we...

Is the veterinary profession in the depths of a mental health crisis? With media headlines highlighting industry burnout, dropout and suicide, it would appear so! But what’s the truth behind these headlines and do they help - or harm? In this series 3 podcast from The Consult Room, Dr Paul Manktelow seeks to find answers and share support, alongside veterinary expert Rosie Allister, esteemed lecturer, international speaker and published author, who has dedicated over 10 years on this very...

In this joyful episode from The Consult Room podcast series 3, Dr Paul Manktelow continues the conversation about alternative ways of owning dogs, with a specific focus on the topic of dog sharing. With plenty of personal experience of sharing his previous dog Dolly and his current dog Rodney, Paul has advice and anecdotes to share.  Listen to find out more about: How dog sharing can make dog ownership affordable. Why communication can be key to making a dog-share work for everyone. Why...

In this latest series 3 episode from The Consult Room podcast, Dr Paul Manktelow is joined by Rob Haselgrove, vet and founder of Pets at Rest, a home pet euthanasia service in Sheffield. For this podcast Paul and Rob share their collective experiences and opinions - both personal and professional - on providing pet euthanasia services at home.  ‌ Listen to find out:  ‌ How working in both the veterinary and the pet charity sectors has helped both Rob and Paul see clearly the need for home...

Are we heading towards an antibiotics apocalypse?  Antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been a hot topic in the world of human medicine for years and it’s now recognised that the pet healthcare sector contributes to this problem. However the veterinary industry, vets and pet owners are also a huge part of the solution - as long as we all know what action to take.  So this series 3 podcast from The Consult Room is all about getting the message out there as Dr Paul Manktelow explores the issue...

In this series 3 episode from The Consult Room podcast, Dr Paul Manktelow is joined by Dr Jane Ladlow, specialist veterinary surgeon and Director of Research at Cambridge University. In this in-depth discussion, they lift the lid on the controversy surrounding flat-faced dogs - those bulldog breeds that conversely top the tables as most popular but also the most unhealthy.  With a shared concern and love of the breeds, listen and learn as Paul and Jane delve deeper into: The health...

In this very first episode of The Consult Room podcast series 3, Dr Paul Manktelow is joined by Rikke Rosenlund. Rikke’s the founder of BorrowMyDoggy, the popular platform for sharing the love of dogs and, as Paul and his dog Rodney are members of BorrowMyDoggy, he and Rikke have a lot to talk about. Listen and learn as they chat and explore: How a brown labrador inspired BorrowMyDoggy. How BorrowMyDoggy has grown from a startup idea to a vast community with members in 99% of UK...

In this episode, Dr Paul Manktelow shares his thoughts on a recent special event - being in post as Director of Veterinary Services at Blue Cross for a whole year already! When this popped up on his timeline, Paul received lots of congratulations and many enquiries with that burning question ‘how’s it going?” So there are no guests in the podcast this time around. Instead, settle in for a solo episode as Dr Paul shares his thoughts, insights and experiences about his first year at Blue...

In this episode, Dr Paul Manktelow is joined by Annie Clark, Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Nurse for over 15 years, for some behind the scenes insights into their experiences of working in veterinary emergencies.  Paul and Annie share thoughts on how the system for out-of-hours emergency pet care has changed in the years since they qualified and they swap some amazing stories which reveal some of the best, most varied and definitely unexpected aspects of pet emergency...

In today’s episode, Dr Paul Manktelow talks about another shocking reality about the war in Ukraine. As well as the huge humanitarian crisis, the sheer number of innocent pets abandoned in Ukraine could also lead to a looming public health and animal welfare crisis. To explore these less-reported consequences of the war and the work of the animal charities involved, Paul speaks with Greg Tully, Country Director of Save the Dogs & Other Animals. The discussion includes talking about...

In today’s episode, Dr Paul Manktelow talks about something which affects most of us in some way: the costs of living crisis.  As a professional vet, Paul’s contacted on a daily basis by pet owners who are concerned by costs and the affordability of keeping their pets. He’s also recently spent a lot of time in pet food banks around the UK, speaking to the charities which run them and to the pet owners from all walks of life who are really struggling to make ends meet.  In this podcast, Paul...

What would you do if you were forced to make the decision to feed your pet or feed yourself? As the UK remains gripped by a cost of living crisis, this is the reality facing many pet owners right now. It’s also the reason why, up and down the country, teams from the animal charity Blue Cross are urgently setting up pet food banks in areas of need.  In today’s episode, Dr Paul Manktelow chats with Clare Robertson, Community Project Coordinator with the Blue Cross, to find out more about...

In today’s episode we are talking about a subject that nobody wants to talk about but that all pet owners will eventually have to face. We all want our pets to live forever but the reality is that at some point most of us will have to make the difficult decision as to when to let our pets go. In today's episode Dr Paul Manktelow is joined by Annie Clark, a veterinary nurse with over 15 years of experience in emergency critical care. Annie also works with Paul at Home Goodbye, a home...

In today’s episode we are talking to the phenomenal Diane James, who heads up the Pet Bereavement Support Service at Blue Cross, leading a team of volunteers who help over 28,000 pet owners a year, supporting them through their grief following the loss of a pet. As a leading UK expert on bereavement, Diane is able to explain the huge impact that the loss of a pet can have on us, and give some really practical advice on how to deal with our grief. This vital service is literally life-saving...

Today’s episode is all about dog behaviour and I am super excited to reintroduce Nigel Reed. Nigel was our first ever guest on The Consult Room podcast with our most popular episode ever ‘Is the UK heading for a Dog Behaviour Crisis?'.  Nigel has dedicated his whole life and career to improving the lives of dogs through better communication, and by helping owners to understand the language that their dogs speak. Nigel is also known as 'The Dog Guardian' and he regularly appears on TV, radio...

Being a vet is cool, but being a zoo vet is another level! I have a huge passion for wildlife and conservation so I’m really excited to have Dr Justine Shotton back on the show to talk about her career path into her role as Head Vet at Marwell Zoo.  This area of work is so interesting and so important so I knew it would make a great episode. Topics in this episode: Volunteering at wildlife centres in Guatemala The race to protect the turtle eggs The illegal meat trade and trafficking of...

In today’s episode we are exploring the world of dog DNA, genetics and canine ancestry.  I’m practically bursting with excitement as in this show we do a live reveal with Rodney’s DNA results. These results have been fiercely guarded by Georgina Richardson the Head of UK for Kinship, the innovation division of Mars Petcare. One of their products is Wisdom Panel™, the world's most accurate DNA test for dogs. Despite being so excited we still manage to explore the science of DNA testing and...

In today’s episode we are diving into the explosive debate that has been playing out in the veterinary media around vegan diets for pets. At the centre of this debate is Andrew Knight who is the Professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics at the University of Winchester. Professor Knight is leading the field in research around plant-based pet diets, climate change and a number of other animal welfare issues. Despite being a vet himself, you are about to hear how Professor Knight is going head to...

In this episode I am joined by Anastasia Waugh, aka ‘The Dog Tooth Fairy’ who began offering a teeth cleaning service using the world's first ultrasonic toothbrush for dogs.  Anastasia has had so much success, she has since made it her mission to improve the dental health of the nation's dogs by offering educational services on this ground breaking technology. A recent study has discovered that 1 in 8 dogs in the UK will suffer from dental disease this year so this lesson in dental health...

In today’s episode we learn about an amazing scheme that takes volunteer pets into prisons to help rehabilitate inmates.  A scheme which has been so successful that it now operates in 28 correctional facilities across the UK. We know that pets can offer companionship and can help people suffering from loneliness and social isolation. And where could be lonelier than a prison? In today's episode I am joined by Matt Robinson from the Pets as Therapy charity to explore how this scheme works...

Veganism is the fastest growing lifestyle trend in the human world, so it’s unsurprising that owners are exploring meat-free options for their dogs. I wanted to dig a bit deeper into the rise of vegan dog diets and who better to invite into The Consult Room, than fellow vet Dr Guy Sandelowsky who is the founder of the plant based dog food company Omni. Guy gives some great insight into the research that has inspired his journey in to the creation of one of the leading vegan dog food brands in...

It’s time to unpack the issues currently facing the veterinary profession and who better to talk to than Dr Justine Shotton, President of the British Veterinary Association. Dr Shotton has come into her role at a time of workforce shortages and increased work loads which are having huge impacts on UK vets and raise critical questions about the future of the profession. We also explore the issues around diversity,  gender equality and the hot topic of her presidential...

In the third and final episode of this mini-series, Pets in Lockdown,  I wanted to pause and reflect on the relationship we had with our pets during the pandemic, brought to life with real conversations with real people. Today I talked to Nicky who escaped London to the Cotswolds with her beloved dog Lola  just before the first UK lockdown.  Listen to hear how these city girls adapted to their new life in the country for what would sadly turn out to be their last year together.  Just a...