The Consult Room – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of The Consult Room, Dr. Paul Manktelow is joined by Dr. Stuart Halperin, a leading expert in stem cell therapy for dogs. Together, they discuss the rising prevalence of arthritis in dogs, including why even young dogs can develop this painful condition.

Dr. Halperin explains how stem cell therapy, a cutting-edge treatment, is providing new hope by not just masking symptoms but potentially reversing the damage caused by arthritis.

Listeners can expect to hear about:

• Understanding Arthritis: How and why it affects so many dogs.
• Stem Cell Science: A deep dive into how this therapy works at the cellular level.
• Treatment Journey: From harvesting fat cells to the final injection—what’s involved?
• Financial Comparison: The cost of stem cell therapy versus traditional long-term treatments.
• Looking Ahead: The future potential of stem cell therapy in treating other conditions.

Tune in to learn how stem cell therapy is not only changing the treatment of arthritis in dogs but also paving the way for future advancements in veterinary medicine.

For more information and resources, visit www.theconsultroom.co.uk.

In this enlightening episode of The Consult Room, host Dr Paul Manktelow is joined once again by renowned dog behaviourist Nigel Reed, revisiting the pressing issue of pandemic puppies and their behavioural challenges. A couple of years ago, we discussed the potential crisis facing the UK's dogs due to the lockdowns. Today, the latest research from the Royal Veterinary College confirms our fears: behavioural problems in dogs have indeed escalated. Nigel, author of the bestseller The Dog Guardian, shares his invaluable insights into the current state of dog behaviour in the UK, shedding light on the persistence of issues like separation anxiety, reactivity, and the impact of pandemic-induced isolation.  In this episode, we cover: Evolving Behavioural Issues: Insights from recent data on over 2.1 million dogs in the UK facing behavioural challenges post-pandemic. Revisiting Lockdown Effects: Discussion on how the lack of socialisation and the unique conditions of the pandemic lockdowns have left a lasting impact on dog behaviour. Behavioural Trends: Nigel Reed revisits the primary issues identified in pandemic puppies, including separation anxiety, reactivity to other dogs, and people. Leadership in Dog Training: Nigel discusses the concept of leadership in dog ownership, emphasising the balance between nurture and authority. Behavioural Solutions: Practical advice for dog owners on recognizing and addressing problematic behaviours early on. The Role of Dog Owners: Exploring how the changing relationship between dogs and owners over the years has influenced canine behaviour. Societal and Behavioural Insights: A broader look at how societal changes and attitudes towards dog training are reflecting deeper cultural shifts. Long-term Implications: Predictions and thoughts on the future of dog behaviour and training in the wake of the pandemic. Dive deep with us as we explore the multifaceted world of dog psychology, owner dynamics, and the evolving challenges faced by our four-legged friends in a post-pandemic era. The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering professional insights and pet support to a wide audience of pet-lovers, pet owners and veterinary professionals. Visit us at ⁠www.theconsultroom.co.uk⁠ or reach out at ⁠Hello@theconsultroom.co.uk⁠ for more information and support.

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 care. 

Topics include:

• What’s great about working in emergency care and why most vets don’t want to do it anymore

• The switch to outsourced emergency care at night - better for rotas but worse for skill sharpening?

• The ‘rite of passage’ night shifts which used to greet new pet health professionals when starting out in vet practice.

• What’s so special - and different - about teamwork in animal A&E.

Plus you’ll hear about a variety of hilarious real-life cases which include: 

• A foul-mouthed nipple biting parrot

• A frog emergency in which the police had to get involved

• How Annie ended up with a bra full of puppies

• The puppy that transformed into a completely new species of animal

The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering professional insights and pet support to a wide audience of pet-lovers, pet owners and veterinary professionals. Join us at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at Hello@theconsultroom.co.uk 

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 animals in desperate circumstances that some listeners may find upsetting. 

Listen along to learn:

• How the hard work of animal charities supports not only the pets but the people of Ukraine.

• Why fleeing Ukrainian families have had to abandon their pets inside Ukraine and at the border and how Save the Dogs is helping.

• The risks of an unfolding public health health and animal welfare crisis if action and prevention of disease can’t be funded.

• About the type of help needed by pets and the people of Ukraine who are remaining in war zones in order to look after them.

• Heartwarming examples of why pets are prioritised by people living in war zones.

• About the difference donations can make to people and pets by funding the projects put in place to help them. 

The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering information and sharing support for pet-lovers and owners. Join us at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at Hello@theconsultroom.co.uk 

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 pulls together all of these experiences, along with questions from The Consult Room listeners, to respond to pet owners’ concerns with some really practical suggestions on how to cut costs in pet care without compromising on pets' health and wellbeing.

Topics include:

• Ideas to support the pet food budget.

• Planning cost-effective pet care.

• Getting the best value out of vaccinations.

• Ideas about pet insurance and meeting the costs of treatment.

• Tackling the cost of toys - with free play.

• Alternatives to doggy daycare.

• Ways to make pet ownership affordable for everyone.

The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering practical pet support even when times are tough. Join us at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at Hello@theconsultroom.co.uk

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 this initiative. Clare shares her stories and details about this amazing initiative, including:

• How it all began.

• The other organisations collaborating with Blue Cross to support logistics and distribution.

• The reasons why Blue Cross support animal food banks.

• Advice about making a donation which helps pets and their owners to stay together.

• Tips on how to find food banks and use local pet food bank services.

If this topic is particularly relevant for you, please know that help is out there and the Blue Cross website, your local food bank and this podcast are great places to start.

The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people, offering practical pet support even when times are tough. Join Dr Paul Manktelow at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at Hello@theconsultroom.co.uk 

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 euthanasia service in London where she also offers support and compassion to pet owners facing end of life decisions for their pets.

Just a heads up this episode contains discussions around grief and pet bereavement which some listeners may find upsetting

Topics in this episode: 

• What it is about this decision that pet owners struggle with.

• Why, we as pet owners, feel such responsibility and guilt.

• Is it harder for first time pet owners to make this decision vs those that have had pets before?

• How vets face the decision for their own pets.

• Facing loss and death for what it is.

• The different types of grief experienced in pet loss.

• How grief differs for pet loss after an accident vs a long term illness.

• How to identify and assess changes to your pets quality of life.

• The role personal circumstances can play when making that difficult decision.

• The benefits of home euthanasia.

 

The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people. 

Join us at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at hello@theconsultroom.co.uk

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 and supports people who are often at their lowest ebb. On this episode of The Consult Room we would like to advise caution as some listeners may find conversations about pet grief difficult or upsetting. However, you are not alone, and hearing about this great service and the people behind it, may indeed help you with your own personal experience. Topics in this episode: The evolution of the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service The different types of bereavement pet owners can face from death, rehoming and the unresolved loss of theft. Why people pick up the phone to the helpline The grief cycle and the emotions experienced that are unique to pet loss How the pandemic and cost of living crisis has changed the the calls to the helpline Real life stories and experiences of callers to the helpline How can vets help pet owners with loss after euthanasia The services that Blue Cross offer to support professionals dealing with pet bereavement Managing the feelings of guilt surrounding pet euthanasia Insight into the volunteers of the pet bereavement service. The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people. Join Dr Paul Manktelow at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at hello@theconsultroom.co.uk If you are struggling with the loss of a pet you can contact the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service from 8.30am until 8.30pm either on the phone on 0800 096 6606 or via their webchat support service on the Blue Cross website, www.bluecross.org.uk

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 and Youtube where his channel has had millions of views. His book titled ‘The Dog Guardian’ was an instant Amazon best seller.

Nigel was founder of the hugely innovative Wolf Within Project and over the years he’s worked with 1000’s of owners, including some very high profile celebrities.

Topics in this episode:

• Nigel’s fascinating career and how he became The Dog Guardian.
• What dog behaviour can tell us about our own behaviour?
• Why the relationship with our dogs should be nurturing and parenting.
• The need to get to the root cause of dog behaviour is better than simply training it out...
• Lessons in leadership from working with dogs.
• The Wolf Within Project : What teenagers with problem behaviours can learn from training problem dogs.
• Why failure in dog behaviour is more about the people than the dogs.
• Are dog behaviour training camps a good idea?
• Common dog behavioural problems.

The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people. Join Paul Manktelow at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at hello@theconsultroom.co.uk

If you want to find out more about Nigel and his incredible work check out https://www.thedogguardian.com or check out his YouTube channel 

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 endangered species
• Work experience at Bristol Zoo
• Working in  Botswana with  Cheetahs and Leopards
• Global threats to conservation
• The differences between being a GP vet and a zoo vet.
• The debate and objections to keeping animals in zoos
• Interesting zoo cases
• Advice for people considering a career in conservation or zoos

You can also find out more about Justine here

The Consult Room is a space that celebrates pets and people.

Join Dr Paul Manktelow at www.theconsultroom.co.uk or reach out at hello@theconsultroom.co.uk