Explore every episode of the podcast The Vet Vault: Veterinary Career, Clinical Skills & Wellbeing
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 163: Tech Tools for Vets 5: The Fix for Missed Billing, with SmartCapture | 15 juil. 2026 | 00:48:18 | |
Think about the last thing you did at work and forgot to charge for. A nail clip. A blood test. A “quick” ultrasound that never made it onto the invoice. One missed charge feels insignificant. Across an entire clinic, it isn’t. (It’s estimated that the average veterinary clinic misses between 5% and 10% of its charges!) In this episode of our Tech for Vets series, Dr Patrik Holmboe from Nova Vet Family demonstrates SmartCapture, an AI tool that compares clinical notes with billed items to identify services that may have slipped through the cracks. But this isn’t about chasing clients for forgotten charges or blaming individual vets. It’s about finding patterns and fixing systems. Which charges are missed most often? Why are they being missed, and what can you change in your workflow to stop the same leak recurring? Patrik explains how SmartCapture learns the billing patterns of an individual clinic, and how clinic leaders can turn billing data into practical changes without simply telling the team to “charge better.” This episode includes a screen demonstration. You’ll still get the important ideas on audio, but you can watch the video version on Spotify to follow the walkthrough. Resources mentioned
Topics and time stamps 02:46 Meet Dr Patrik Holmboe & Nova Vet Family04:11 How SmartCapture Works06:45 The Scale of Missed Billing16:16 Potential vs. Confirmed Missed Charges21:11 Why AI Scribes Improve Results23:21 Turning Data Into Action25:29 Top Missed Charges & Tactical Focus35:28 Workflow & PMS Integration52:04 Wrap-Up & Newsletter | |||
| 162: Street Dogs, Brave Vetting, and the Double Life of Dr Janey Lowes | 03 juil. 2026 | 01:01:50 | |
Twelve years ago, Dr Janey Lowes went to Sri Lanka on a holiday, and never really came home. Today she runs WECare Worldwide, a hospital that treats the island’s three million street dogs to a standard that you’d like your pet treated - from the worst trauma cases you can image do a highly efficient desexing service. And then, a few times a year, she flies back to locum in clinics that look a lot like yours. This one's about what it's like to live on both sides of that line that separates the reason we became vets, and the job most of us ended up with. We get into:
Support WECare Worldwide:This work runs on donations, and Janey's currently raising for a new hospital by running six hundred kilometres, the length of Sri Lanka. (She’s not actually a runner…)
The charity takes volunteers and offers longer-term work
Find Janey:
More from The Vet Vault:
Topics and Time Stamps 03:20 Going Viral, and the Unexpected Backlash 08:24 The Love-Hate of Social Media 10:17 The Birth of WeCare 13:24 75% of Dogs Are Unowned 13:53 Courage or Naivety? 16:35 Mid-Roll Break 18:31 Regrets? & Life in Sri Lanka 21:30 Two Lives: Sri Lanka vs UK 36:15 Are We Too Quick to Euthanise? 39:55 What We Underestimate and Undervalue in ‘normal’ Vet Life 43:22 Volunteering at WeCare 49:03 Charity Vetting as a Career 55:10 Rapid Fire Questions 59:21 Advice for New Grads | |||
| 161: Tech Tools for Vets 4: Heidi - AI Scribe, Voice Agents And Clinical Decision Support For Vets. With Dr Kieran McLeod | 18 juin 2026 | 01:25:53 | |
You've been using your veterinary AI note taker for a couple of years now - it’s great - saves you heaps of time. But are you using it to its full potential? I’ll take a bet that you’re not. These things move fast, and it’s hard to keep up. Which is why, in our Tech for Vets Series, we pull apart the veterinary tools that are changing how we work, and this time we put Heidi up on our screens for a detailed walk through. Our guide is Dr Kieran McLeod, head of medical knowledge at Heidi Health. We start by putting the scribe through its paces to find the workflow tricks that you’re probably missing - I walked away with at least five tricks I'd never used. Then Kieran shows off all the shiny new AI magic coming your way: voice agents, built-in clinical support and a hardware solution that lets you leave your phone in your bag. You'll learn:
This is a screen-share walkthrough, so head to Spotify if you want to watch the clicks rather than just hear us talk about them. Show notes and details live at thevetvault.com Get clinical support from human specialists at the Vet Vault Specialist Support Space Get rid of your mid-year 'meh' at our Vets On Tour New Zealand snow conference Topics and Timestamps 02:35 Intro: Beyond the scribe0 05:18 Human-first vs. vet-first: does it matter? 09:17 Note-taking basics 09:46 Context windows & linked patients 15:46 Multiple documents & the source of truth 18:49 Smart Dictation for quick edits 29:38 Sync changes across documents 33:10 Task lists 36:06 Collaboration & session sharing 40:07 Sharing & exporting documents 41:22 Heidi Comms: AI voice agents 53:46 Heidi Evidence: clinical decision support 01:04:50 Using Evidence for complex histories 01:09:11 Evidence sources & collections 01:14:01 Heidi Remote: the hardware mic 01:21:46 EMR integrations (ezyVet & Covetrus) | |||
| 160: Toxic Workplaces Just Got Expensive: What The New Psychological Safety Laws Mean For Vet Practices. With Rhonda Andrews | 30 mai 2026 | 00:56:00 | |
A surgeon hurls a scalpel across theatre. It clatters off the wall. Nobody looks up. Twenty minutes later he's in the tearoom offering everyone a biscuit, and someone shrugs: "That's just him when he's stressed." If you've worked in veterinary practice for any length of time, you've got your own version of that story - maybe a bit less dramatic, but still things that completely destroy psychological safety. This episode is about that stuff, and the new psychosocial safety laws now rolling out across Australia that say plainly: no, actually, that's not acceptable. To make sense of what that looks like on a normal Tuesday in a normal practice, you'll hear from psychologist Rhonda Andrews, who works across high-pressure industries - emergency departments, the courts, and the veterinary profession - and who has spent years watching them all wrestle with the same problem: people breaking. This conversation is not about “just be more resilient”, but about systems. Rhonda makes a genuinely good-news case that these laws aren't more bureaucracy to dread - they're the push our profession has needed all along. You'll hear
A note: this is the second in a small psych-safety miniseries. If you haven't heard Episode 158 with Dr Rebecca Faris on the AVA Thrive programme, start there for the bigger picture. Resources:
For show notes, clinical content and the newsletter head to thevetvault.com, and come find your people at a Vets On Tour conference - email me at info@thevetvault.com to find out about our new-grad 50% discount for Wānaka inAugust. Topics and time stamps 04:52 Rising Mental Health Claims 08:41 Mythbusting Owners Fears1 0:37 Defining Psychological Safety 12:37 Vets Staying in Bad Jobs 14:28 Sponsor Break Vets On Tour 16:03 Systems vs Individual Responsibility 19:35 Burnout Stats and Human Cost 21:17 Who Can Influence Culture? 22:46 Is Vet Work Uniquely Hard? 24:05 Human Sector Parallels 29:15 Business Model Reality Check 30:18 ROI of Retention 32:20 Psychosocial Safety Laws 37:34 Workload and Rostering Fixes4 2:44 Leadership and Being Heard 45:27 From Blame to Pathways 50:27 Training Programs and Teams 52:58 Myth Busting Performance Reviews 54:27 Final Takeaways | |||
| 159: Tech Tools for Vets 3: Instinct ❤️ Scribble - What Happens When Your PIMS And Your Scribe Get Married? With Dr Caleb Frankel and Rohan Relan | 12 mai 2026 | 00:54:11 | |
The long-term vision is that you walk into a clinic, hit record at the beginning of the day - you walk out at the end of the day, and you never put your hands in a computer. You just did medicine, and everything went into the right place.’ Sound too good to be true? Maybe. But it's closer than you think. If you've already adopted a veterinary AI scribe, you'll know it's transformed your day. But scribes are just the gateway drug. The really interesting question is what your scribe connects to next - and the answer, for a growing number of vets, is the brain of the clinic itself: your practice management software. This conversation brings together Dr Caleb Frankel, ER vet and founder of Instinct - the PIMS used by many of the world's largest specialty and emergency hospitals, and now built out for general practice too, and Rohan Relan, founder of Scribble Vet. Earlier this year, Instinct acquired Scribble - and what they're building together is a glimpse of where veterinary software could be heading. You'll hear:
We recorded this as a video with screen sharing, so if you want to follow along and see what these tools actually look like in action, watch it on Spotify. For our clinical content, show notes, and our full back catalogue, head to thevetvault.com. While you're there, check out our subscriber-only clinical podcast, our newsletter, and come and hang out with us in real life at Vets On Tour. Topics and Timestamps Why Instinct Acquired Scribble 2:08 Beyond Scribes: The Bigger Vision 7:48 Demo: Scribble + Instinct Integration 10:06 Plums Drug Reference Integration 11:30 Mid-Roll: Events & Announcements 14:49 Pushing Notes to Instinct 16:27 Scribble Features: Translations, Care Cards & More 19:29 Record Review & AI Verifiability 21:28 Instinct PIMS Overview 24:17 Instinct Expands to General Practice 24:51 Instinct Features: Estimates, Safety Warnings & Clinical Tools 32:03 Embedded Scribble: Voice-Controlled Anesthesia Records 38:07 AI Safety: Human in the Loop 38:46 APIs, MCP Servers & Vibe Coding for Vets 45:02 Open vs Closed PIMS Philosophy 50:39 | |||
| 158: Psychological Safety For Vets: Why The Job Might Need Fixing, Not The People. With Dr Rebecca Faris | 22 avr. 2026 | 00:54:24 | |
"Maybe we're just picking the wrong people to be vets." You've probably heard some version of that line. Maybe you've even said it. 'The new grads can't cope. The younger generation is too soft. If this profession isn't working for you, maybe the profession isn't the problem - maybe you are.' But what if that's the wrong conversation entirely? Maybe it's not the people who need to change - but the job itself. That's the question at the heart of this conversation with Dr Rebecca Faris, the lead of the Australian Veterinary Association's Thrive programme - an industry attempt to figure out how we make veterinary medicine a profession people can actually stay in and enjoy. You'll learn:
If you've ever felt wrecked at the end of a perfectly normal day and wondered whether it was you or the job - this one's for you. Resources mentioned:
This episode is not an ad. We're not paid to feature Thrive or the AVA - we just think this is a conversation the profession needs to be having. If you've got thoughts, pushback, or your own story about thriving (or not) in practice, drop us a line at info@thevetvault.com. For our clinical content, show notes, and our full back catalogue, head to thevetvault.com. While you're there, check out our subscriber-only clinical podcast, our newsletter, and come and hang out with us in real life at Vets On Tour. 00:52 Rethinking the 40-Hour Workweek 03:03 Flexibility and Job Crafting 04:57 Are We Picking the Wrong People? 06:05 Playing to Strengths vs Business Needs 12:39 Psychological vs Psychosocial Safety 15:55 The New Laws: Employer Obligations 17:51 Identifying Psychosocial Hazards 20:40 Cultivating Safe Teams Training 24:45 Workload and Emotional Labor 32:34 Vets on Tour Break 34:27 Should Full-Time Be 30 Hours? 36:12 Inside the Thrive Initiative 39:31 Mental Health First Aid 41:35 Empathy for Difficult Clients 44:13 Wins and Optimism 46:27 How to Access Thrive 51:27 Closing Advice: Get Engaged | |||
| 157: Tech Tools for Vets 2: AI-Powered Learning with StudyAnything. With Hasitha Jayatilake | 08 avr. 2026 | 00:58:28 | |
You know that feeling: exam time is looming. You've spent three days making flashcards and highlighting your notes, but you haven't even started actually studying yet... Whether you're a vet student drowning in slide decks, a membership candidate juggling articles and notes, or a resident trying to jam an impossible volume of clinical knowledge into your skull - the way most of us study is, frankly, not backed by the science. Which is why you might need a little help from technology: In part two of our Tech Tools for Vets series, software engineer Hasitha Jayatilake joins me to walk you through StudyAnything - an AI-powered study tool that generates quizzes from your notes, tracks your weak spots over time, and builds guided learning pathways based on Bloom's hierarchy of learning. (By the way - he built this tool because he couldn’t bare watching his vet student partner making Anki cards at 2am!) What you'll learn:
This episode includes screen sharing, so if you want to follow along, watch the video on Spotify. If you prefer audio only, you'll still get 99% of the value. The team at StudyAnything are giving Vet Vault listeners the opportunity to try out their top tier subscription (LOTS of quizzes!) with code VETVAULT at studyanything.academy for 50% off your first month on the paid plan. That's about $3.50 to give it a proper test run. Note: This episode isn't a promotion, endorsement or an ad - it's part of our ongoing series exploring the tools you might be considering. If you have a software you'd like us to look at, let me know at info@thevetvault.com Go to thevetvault.com for show notes, access to our clinical continuing education content and to sign up for our weekly 'best of the Vet Vault' newsletter, or join us in person at one of our phenomenal Vets On Tour conferences. (Look out for our upcoming New Zealand, Italy and Africa conferences.) Topics and Timestamps 3:26 Active Recall & The Science of Studying 4:06 How StudyAnything Works - Uploading & Courses 7:57 Bloom's Hierarchy & Learning Outcomes 9:53 Ad Break - Vets on Tour 11:24 Quiz Demo 19:28 Guided Learning Pathway 20:15 File Summary, Concept Maps & Key Terms 29:10 Study Groups & Communities 31:02 Comparison with Notebook LM & Competitors 32:32 Spaced Repetition & Future Features 37:29 Pricing 39:48 Deep Dive: Navigating the Dashboard 41:00 Deep Dive: Creating & Customising Quizzes | |||
| A New Direction for the Vet Vault? Help Shape What Comes Next | 25 mars 2026 | 00:04:58 | |
Is our podcast getting… repetitive? Honest question. Lately, we’ve felt a growing tension behind the mic: are we just saying the same things… just with a new guest and in slightly different ways? Are we actually helping you? (With is after all the point of this podcast) In this short solo episode, I ask a few questions that I’d love your input on. We want to rebuild this with you. This is your invite. Feedback to info@thevetvault.com, or at our contact form on the website, or hit me up in the comments on Spotify. | |||
| 156: Is Practice Ownership The Only Way To Build Wealth? The Vet’s Guide To Student Debt, Saving, And Financial Sanity. With Eric Miller | 18 mars 2026 | 00:52:54 | |
Ever check your payslip… your student debt… your mortgage… and wonder if you’re just treading water? You’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. In this episode we revisit one of the most neglected topics in the profession: money. Hubert sits down with US-based financial adviser Eric Miller to break down the decisions that can actually move the money-needle for employed vets: from budgeting and debt to investing, insurance, and increasing your income. (We do global principles with US specifics) No jargon. No guilt. Just a clear starting point for vets who know they should have a plan… but haven’t begun yet. Here’s what you’ll learn:
And perhaps most importantly: A more grounded, reassuring view of the profession itself. Yes, financial pressure is real.
Topics and Time Stamps 04:24 Biggest Financial Mistakes 05:42 Budgeting & The 70/20/10 Rule 14:41 Retirement Planning & 401k 24:09 Student Debt & How to Tackle It 26:22 Loan Forgiveness 28:58 Pay Off Debt vs. Invest 31:53 The Debt Snowball Method (it's a good thing!) 33:55 Increasing Your Income 37:44 Constructive vs. Destructive Debt 41:35 Insurance & Health Coverage 44:06 Looking Ahead: The Veterinary Industry 49:45 One Financial Habit for Ne w Grads We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you’d like to give us some feedback please get in touch via our contact or catch up with us on Instagram. And if you like what you hear, please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you’re listening and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this. | |||
| 155: Antibiotic Prescribing Habits Vets Need To Ditch Now. With Dr Riati Scarborough and Dr Laura Hardefeldt | 13 févr. 2026 | 00:44:50 | |
Four years after our original antibiotic myth-busting episode (Ep 60), we’re back with Dr Riati Scarborough to talk antibiotic prescribing habits. This time we’re joined by fellow stewardship expert Dr Laura Hardefeldt, and this time we’re asking the harder question: Have we actually changed? The good news? Some prescribing habits are shifting. We’re seeing shorter courses and less ‘just in case antibiotic usage. But let’s not pat ourselves on the back too quickly. Because some of our most entrenched habits are still alive and well, like how we treat skin disease, and our ongoing love affair with amoxiclav. This episode is a practical, clinically grounded update on what the evidence says in 2026 - and how to make realistic changes without compromising patient care. We cover:
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. If you’d like effective antibiotics to still exist in five to ten years… This episode is essential listening. Find out how we can support you in your vet career at thevetvault.com. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Grab one last handful of spots in the Maldives for our surf/dive vet conference with Vets On Tour. Tips and Timestamps
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| 154: Stop the Energy Drain: Productivity Coaching for Vets in Clinic Chaos. With Demir Bentley and Dr Ray Gates | 30 janv. 2026 | 01:07:02 | |
Veterinary life can feel like a treadmill with no off-switch: 15-minute consults that always run over. Emotional labour no one trains you for. A schedule that swings from slow to chaos - in minutes. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. In this raw and refreshingly real episode, productivity coach Demir Bentley (Life Hack Method) live-coaches GP vet Dr Ray Gates, tackling the uncomfortable truth of veterinary medicine:You’re expected to be clinically excellent… while running on empty. This isn’t a listicle of “10 productivity hacks.”This is about reclaiming 1% wins that actually work in the chaos of clinical life. You’ll learn:
Whether you’re buried in charting, stuck in overbooked consults, or silently wondering if you’re just not “resilient enough” - this conversation will show you another way. You don’t need another motivational quote.You need practical tools to get your time, headspace, and energy back. And it starts here. Raise your hand here to find out more about our AI for clinics Mastermind Find out how we can help you build you in your vet career at thevetvault.com. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Topics and Time Stamps 10:56 The problem 23:04 The revenge binge 26:10 Taking back the 1% 35:52 Upstream changes to prevent downstream chaos 41:31 Expectations vs reality 52:05 You are not powerless | |||
| 153: What’s Holding You Back? 3 Keys to Rewiring Your Brain for Calm, Confidence, and Clarity. With Dr Rod Irwin | 16 janv. 2026 | 01:02:27 | |
Ever feel like your anxiety or fear of failure is just... who you are? The perfectionism. The overthinking. The constant pressure to “get it right.” It can feel like it’s wired into your DNA. But what if it isn’t? Dr Rod Irwin, vet, former clinic owner and author tells us how who went from panic attacks in an empty vet clinic to a completely rewired life - thanks to neuroscience. After hitting breaking point, a chance encounter with neuroscience set him on a 15-year journey into neuroplasticity and positive psychology - and ultimately changed how he led. Together, we unpack how our brains are shaped by past experiences, why vets are particularly vulnerable to negative belief loops, and how we can deliberately rewire our thinking to reduce anxiety, improve performance and build healthier workplace cultures. We explore:
This is a science-backed, practical conversation on mindset, leadership and wellbeing – tailored to the veterinary world. Because your brain isn’t broken.It’s just wired by experience - and you can change the wiring. Learn about all 12 keys here, or here if you're a practice owner, or book a chat with Rod here. Find out how we can support you in your vet career at thevetvault.com. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Grab one last handful of spots in the Maldives for our surf/dive vet conference with Vets On Tour. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com, or go all in on surgery with our collaboration with Sydney University's CVE Surgery Course. | |||
| 152: Tech Tools 1: VetRec. With Kevin Cohen | 19 déc. 2025 | 00:46:02 | |
Welcome to episode one of our new Tech Tools series, where we cut through the noise to bring you real insights into the latest veterinary tech that could genuinely make your day‑to‑day vet life easier. In part one VetRec founder Kevin Cohen helps me put this AI scribe through its paces to show us why veterinary AI software is rapidly moving WAY beyond just note taking. Highlights :
This one involves a bit of screen sharing, so if you want to follow along - watch the video for this on Spotify. Note: This episode isn’t a promotion or an ad — it’s the first of many deep dives into the tools you might be considering. If you have a software that you’d like us to explore, let me know at info@thevetvault.com Check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com, or go all in on surgery with our collaboration with Sydney University's CVE Surgery Course. Find out how we can help you build you in your vet career at thevetvault.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Join us in person for our epic adventure CE events at Vets On Tour. (Next up: Japan snow conference!) Topics and Time stamps
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| 151: Why Do I Still Feel Like Such an Imposter? (This Is What Getting Better Feels Like). With Dr Marie Holowaychuck, Dr Kerri Nelson and Dr Rob Webster | 07 déc. 2025 | 00:57:01 | |
Am I a useless vet? Sounds like a silly question that a new grad might ask, right? But imposter syndrome doesn't care about your credentials. It whispers that you're a fraud, that you got lucky, that one day everyone will realise you don’t belong. Or maybe you don’t feel like an imposter - but you beat yourself up after a case goes wrong. You replay every missed diagnosis. You hold yourself to an impossible standard, and when you fall short (even slightly), the inner critic shows no mercy. Sound familiar? In veterinary medicine, where perfection often feels like the baseline and the emotional toll runs deep, these patterns can be exhausting. But here’s the truth: you’re not the only one who feels this way. In this raw and honest conversation, we unpack:
You’ll hear real stories, mindset tools, and the reminder that feeling “useless” says nothing about you. If you’ve ever questioned your abilities or felt like you're just pretending to hold it all together - this episode is your mirror. You belong here. And it’s time you believed that too. Our guests are: Dr Marie Holowaychuck - a board-certified emergency and critical care veterinarian and the founder of Reviving Vet Med, a global initiative dedicated to equipping veterinary professionals with practical tools for mental health, resilience, and work–life balance, and the author of A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means to be a Veterinarian. Check out her new book here. Dr Kerri Nelson: Experienced ER vet, mentor and former medical director. First time mom-to-be! (She has an epic blog about over-achieving - here.) Dr Rob Webster: Co-Chief Executive Officer of Animal Emergency Australia, the leading veterinary emergency-care group down under, where he oversees clinical standards and consults on complex emergency and critical-care cases. A board-certified specialist in emergency and critical care since 2014. Jiu-jitsu tragic. Check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com, or go all in on surgery with our collaboration with Sydney University's CVE Surgery Course. Find out how we can help you build you in your vet career at thevetvault.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Join us in person for our epic adventure CE events at Vets On Tour. (Next up: Japan snow conference!) Topics and Time stamps 04:28 You're not alone 09:56 What is a syndrome? 15:49 Defining Imposter Syndrome 19:44 Maybe It's Just Kinda Normal? 22:10 So What Can We Do About It? 27:22 The Eternal Internal Critic 30:22 Talk It Out 35:59 Vulnerability As A Weapon Against Imposter 39:03 This Is What Getting Better Feels Like 40:18 Perfectionism - The Root of Imposter 49:28 At Least You'er Not a Psychopath! 51:04 The Best People Are Filled With Self-Doubt 51:56 Mistakes Happen | |||
| 150: What Every Vet Should Know About Antimicrobial Resistance. With Dr Kate Worthing | 18 nov. 2025 | 00:42:54 | |
Stop scrolling - I know what you’re thinking: “I don’t want to listen to someone preaching to me about antimicrobial resistance - it’s boring, and it just makes me feel guilty!” Here's a promise: you'll find nothing boring or preachy here. What you will get is interesting science, practical tips, and zero guilt trips. Dr Kate Worthing is a senior lecturer in veterinary microbiology, practising clinician and passionate antibiotic resistance researcher, and she’s about to change how you prescribe. Together we unpack why the way you use antibiotics in general practice is more than a clinical choice - it’s a responsibility that affects your patients, your team, and your future cases. From unseen pathways of resistance to pragmatic stewardship strategies you can implement this week, this is essential listening for all veterinarians. You’ll learn:
Resources: AMRVC https://www.amrvetcollective.com/ https://www.amrvetcollective.com/home/guidelines/ WSAVA Infographics https://wsava.org/committees/therapeutics-guidelines-group/ ISCAID https://www.iscaid.org/guidelines Understanding the mechanisms of resistance Visit thevetvault.com to join our Vet Vault Nerd community for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, get help with your tricky cases in our specialist‑support space, and subscribe to our newsletter for clinical gems and a bit more. | |||
| 149: AI Radiology for Vets: How Accurate Are Todays Tools Really? With Dr Steve Joslyn | 13 nov. 2025 | 00:54:57 | |
We scrutinise one of the most practical yet under‑examined advances in veterinary practice: AI‑based radiology interpretation tools. I sit down with veterinary radiologist and Vedi entrepreneur Dr Steve Joslyn to unpack the rise of AI-powered radiology tools in general practice. But this isn’t just opinion: Steve reveals the findings from his team’s recent study that put 6 commercially available AI radiology softwares in the spotlight - or up on the light box - to assess whether they deliver on what they promise. From how these systems are trained, to where they shine (and where they fail), this conversation gives a no-nonsense look at what AI can actually do for your diagnostic imaging workflow. What You’ll Learn:
🎧 Listen now for the tools to ask better questions about AI in your clinic. Find out how we can help you build you in your vet career at thevetvault.com. Check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Join us in person for our epic adventure CE events at Vets On Tour. (Next up: Japan snow conference!) | |||
| 🔓Your Game Plan for Brachycephalic Anaesthesia: Tips, Drugs, and Red Flags. With Dr Abbie Tipler | 04 nov. 2025 | 00:51:00 | |
Did you know that a brachycephalic dog with BOAS has a 433% higher anaesthetic risk than a dog with a normal nose? Let me rephrase that: that Frenchie you’re spaying later this week is more than four times more likely to die on her surgery day than any of your other patients. 😳 Do we have your attention?! Thanks mainly to the rising popularity of the French Bulldog, you’re probably anaesthetising these kinds of patients all the time. So how do we reduce that risk? How do improve patient safety while decreeing your stress levels?! At the Brachycephalic Care Unit, surgeon Dr Abbie Tipler and her team have polished brachycephalic anaesthesia down to a fine art, and in this episode, she shares all the gold. From the days leading up to anaesthesia to selecting the safest mix of premed and anaesthesia agents, all the way to a calm, well-oxygenated recovery, this episode is the ultimate masterclass in brachycephalic anaesthesia. Hit us up for the full show notes for this episode, as well as Dr Abbie’s brachycephalic pre-surgery history template, here. This episode is one of more than 600 from our subscriber-only clinical podcasts. If you like this style of learning, where I dig for all the pro tips and updates from some of the best specialists in the world, then you’ll love our clinical feed. Go check it out at thevetvault.com Oh, and if you’d like to join me in Japan in February or the Maldives in April for the most fun you’ll ever have at a vet conference - have a browse at vetsontour.com Topics Covered: Before the big day
Plan for the day of surgery
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| 148: Is the Veterinary Business Model Failing Our Patients? A Frontline Perspective From a Top UK Charity. With Dr Paul Manktelow | 15 oct. 2025 | 01:20:18 | |
“If you can’t afford a pet, you shouldn’t own one.” Ever said this line? Once you’ve been on the receiving of someone’s anger about the cost of their vet bill, it’s an easy thought to have. But it’s not the whole story, is it? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Paul Manktelow - a veterinary surgeon with 20+ years in UK animal charities and current Director of Veterinary Services at Blue Cross. Dr Paul shares lessons learned in not-for-profit vet care to help us untangle that tension between care, compassion, and commercial reality. We cover:
You’ll learn about: 💡 “Pragmatic care” as the antidote to chasing the mythical ‘gold standard’ 💡 Cost-based vs value-based pricing models 💡How to think in tiers of care—and where the limits lie Because behind every clinical decision is a human one. Find out how we can help you build you in your vet career at thevetvault.com. Check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Join us in person for our epic adventure CE events at Vets On Tour. (Next up: Japan snow conference!) Topics and Time Stamps 03:11 Balancing Costs and Care in Veterinary Practice 06:45 Challenges and Changes in the Veterinary Profession 11:41 Client Expectations vs Financial Realities 16:32 The Impact of Economic Hardships on Pet Care 32:16 Blue Cross's Model 39:10 Individual Responsibility in Veterinary Practice 42:54 Getting Clear on Quality of Life and Prognosis 47:23 Cost-Based vs Value-Based Pricing Models 01:10:05 Pragmatic Care and Clinical Guidelines 01:16:54 The One Question | |||
| 147: What I Got Wrong (And Right!) About AI in VetMed: A Software Engineer Sets Me Straight. With Rohan Relan | 28 sept. 2025 | 00:59:44 | |
In episode 141, I shared my take on where AI fits into veterinary medicine - and where it might take us next. But I’m no expert. So I brought one in. In this episode, I sit down with Rohan Relan , Silicon Valley software engineer and founder of ScribbleVet ,an AI tool built for vets. We unpack the promise and pitfalls of AI in clinical practice and try to figure out how you can use it without losing sleep (or your license). What we cover:
If you're curious about AI but not sure what’s hype and what’s helpful, this one’s for you. Come find out what W(asabi)TF Wednesday is all about at our Japan Snow Conference Check out our podcast for business owners, and Dr Sam’s ‘How To Make A Hell Of a Profit And Still Go To Heaven’ workshop. Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com. Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space. Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Topics and Timestamps 04:39 What I got wrong about AI 08:19 How models “know” things — next‐word prediction & reasoning 15:00 Grounding AI responses using external tools / search 19:19 Scribble Vet features 38:12 Privacy, ownership, and AI liability 51:00 Rohan’s podcast and AI tool recommendations 54:00 Key misconceptions & Caveats | |||
| PIMA: The Anaemia That You Didn’t Know About, But Really Should. With Dr Cynthia Lucidi and Dr Claire Sharp. Bonus - Live at IVECCS | 08 sept. 2025 | 00:48:56 | |
Today’s bonus IVECCS live session wasn’t your average ‘clinical 101’. I had the absolute privilege of getting two brilliant minds on the yellow couch, and … wow. Apparently 1 + 1 = 🤯 !! Clinical pathogist Dr Cynthia Lucidi joined me to unpack her talk on Diagnosing Ineffective Hematopoiesis. If you’re a bit lost with that title - don’t worry, so was I! So I brought backup: ECC legend Dr Claire Sharp joined me to ask the smart questions, and together, they cracked open a topic every GP and ECC vet needs to understand: PIMA – Precursor-Targeted Immune-Mediated Anaemia. (If you’ve ever managed an anaemia case that almost looked like IMHA but just didn’t quite fit, or just an anaemia that didn’t want to fit into ANY of the boxes, it was probably this!) This one started out GP-friendly, but with two minds like these-it escalated fast. Expect specialist-level gold. You’ll want to give this one your full attention. But I promise - it’s worth it! What we cover:
Click here to access all of our clinical content at IVECCS special rates. | |||
| 146: Your Veterinary Sixth Sense: How It Works, And How to Teach It. With Dr Annie Wayne | 26 août 2025 | 00:59:33 | |
Ever had a case where you just knew what was wrong before you even touched the patient - but if someone asked you HOW you know, you couldn’t explain it? That almost mystical “sixth sense” we develop in practice - that’s exactly what this episode is about. Our guest is Dr Annie Wayne - a criticalist, educator, and learning strategist—who’s been exploring naturalistic decision making: the cognitive model that explains how experts think in real-time, and how to pass that intuition on. We talk about what separates expert intuition from novice reasoning, how to break down unconscious diagnostic processes, and how the right kind of mentorship can accelerate the path to expertise. Annie also shares her research on parenting and vet careers, challenging the stigma around pregnancy and parenthood during training. Here’s what you’ll learn:
This isn’t just about clinical decision-making - it’s about how we teach, how we lead, and how we support each other in a demanding profession. Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts at vvn.supercast.com for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Join us in person for our epic adventure CE events at Vets On Tour. (Next up: Japan snow conference!) Topics and Time Stamps 04:53 What is Naturalistic Decision-Making? 08:36 Expert vs Novice Thinking: Why Mentorship Matters 15:55 Risks of Shortcut Thinking and Balancing with Algorithms 19:11 Speeding Up Expertise: Can We Teach "Sixth Sense" Thinking? 22:47 Mentorship Models: Building Skills and Confidence 34:45 Can AI Help Naturalistic Thinking? 37:20 Parenthood and Veterinary Careers: Breaking Stigma and Building Support | |||
| #145: Working in Australia: The Essential Roadmap for International Vets. WIth Dr Natalia Gomez | 06 août 2025 | 00:52:50 | |
Thinking of trading grey skies for the Australian sun – stethoscope in hand? In this episode, we talk to Dr. Natalia Gomez , Colombian-born vet and co-founder of Brainy Bilby, a platform dedicated to helping foreign-trained vets prepare for the AVE, about the tips, pitfalls, and success stories learnt from her own her journey, and from the other overseas-trained vets she’s coached through the AVE. Here’s what you’ll learn:
🎧 Listen now and start mapping your own Aussie vet journey. Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts at vvn.supercast.com for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Join us in person for our epic adventure CE events at Vets On Tour. (Next up: Japan snow conference!) Episode timestamps: 04:32 Why Australia? The Allure for Vets 10:04 The Australian Veterinary Examination (AVE) 16:31 Navigating the English Test and Paperwork 26:35 The Cost and Commitment of the AVE 29:05 Working Under Supervision 36:58 Preparing for the Practical Exam 44:43 Cultural and Language Barriers | |||
| #144: Stop Fighting Your Software: Tech Tools That Actually Help Veterinarians. With Dr Caleb Frankel | 23 juil. 2025 | 00:59:10 | |
You can think of a bunch of things that make your working day (and career!) as a veterinarian more frustrating than you’d like it to be, right? But have you ever considered the role of the software that you use in how frazzled you feel at the end of the day? And beyond the pure frustration of ‘too many clicks’ and that spinning wheel of doom when you have ten other things to do - have you considered how the very software that feels like it's holding you back could actually help solve some of the systemic challenges that feel like they’re just baked into the vet profession, like low clinical confidence, medical errors, and even burnout? In this conversation, we speak to emergency vet and tech entrepreneur Dr Caleb Frankel , founder of Instinct Science, about what’s broken in vet tech, what good software should actually do, and why the future of practice might depend on getting this right. In this episode:
If you’ve ever felt like your tools are working against you, this is the conversation that might just change the way you practice—for good. Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts at vvn.supercast.com for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Join us in person for our epic adventure CE events at Vets On Tour. (Next up: Japan snow conference!) Episode topics and timestamps: 05:55 Why veterinary software is so challenging 11:15 What to look for (and avoid!) in veterinary software 14:26 Cloud vs server-based software? 34:08 Unexpected ways where tech can help with the main challenges in veterinary medicine 37:07 AI in veterinary medicine 48:09 Must-have tech tools for 2025 55:14 Advice for new graduates We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you’d like to give us some feedback please get in touch via our contact form at thevetvault.com, or catch up with us on Instagram. And if you like what you hear, please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you’re listening and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this. | |||
| 🔓Clinical: Feline Anaemia: What You’ve Been Missing — with Dr Rachel Korman | 30 juin 2025 | 01:03:23 | |
I’m never excited when I diagnose a cat with anaemia: vague signs, confusing diagnostics, and what feels like a not-so-great prognoses. But are they really that hopeless? In this episode, feline medicine specialist Dr Rachel Korman joins us demystify the anaemic cat and offer a clear, practical diagnostic framework that will give you more confidence and better outcomes the next time you see a cat with a low PCV. Some highlights from this conversation:
This episode will help you approach feline anaemia with more clarity, structure, and - dare we say - optimism. 💡 Proudly supported by Vetnostics Pathology: Australia's largest network of veterinary pathologists and internal medicine consultants. Learn how Vetnostics can support your work-up of complex anaemia cases with comprehensive PCR panels and diagnostic expertise. 🎧 Want more clinical deep dives? Subscribe at vvn.supercast.com for 600+ episodes covering small animal medicine, surgery and ECC. Upcoming conferences that I’m excited to attend:
Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space. Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Episode Topics and Timestamps05:14 – Categorising anaemia06:00 – Regenerative vs. non-regenerative07:42 – Haemolytic anaemias in cats17:17 – Clinical signs and first tests18:43 – PCV/TP interpretation27:48 – Common causes by age31:38 – Mycoplasma diagnosis and treatment35:04 – Recognising haemolysis39:38 – PCR and anaemia panels48:53 – Bone marrow biopsy tips54:52 – Supportive treatments | |||
| Sneak Peek: Our New Podcast for Practice Owners. With Dr Sam Bowden | 20 juin 2025 | 00:40:58 | |
🎙️ Introducing the Veterinary Business Accelerator, our new podcast for veterinary practice owners who want more than just survival - they want to own the practice they dreamed of when they first decided to start a practice - a place that gives them joy and freedom, and where other vets like to work. In this brand-new series, vet business coach, author, and former Vet Vault guest Dr. Sam Bowden shares the mindset, strategies, and systems he’s used to help hundreds of practice owners transform their clinics into what he calls “abundant practices” - workplaces that are profitable, sustainable, and deeply rewarding. In Episode 1: Why Even Start a Vet Practice?, we ask the question: Wouldn’t it be easier to just get a job? When you’re in the thick of it all, it feels that way, doesn’t it? Especially when you’re knee-deep in payroll, staff issues, client complaints, and wondering if you’ll ever take a proper holiday again. In this kickoff episode we start with the question every practice owner should revisit regularly: Why are you in business? Dr Sam Bowden breaks down why most owners start with good intentions: better medicine, a better team, better money - but end up overworked, underpaid, and out of joy. And why the fix begins with something deceptively simple: clarity on that why. Sam outlines his framework for what he calls an “abundant practice” - the five pillars that any vet business needs to get right if it’s going to support the life you want. And yes, that includes permission to take a holiday. What You’ll Learn:
If this episode was made just for you, and you’d like to hear more, you can find our other episodes here. | |||
| #143: How to Talk Money Without the Cringe: The Mindset Shift Every Vet Needs. With Dr Bing Zhu | 04 juin 2025 | 01:00:52 | |
What’s your least favourite part of being a vet? Is it talking about money? In this episode, we take on one of the most emotionally charged parts of veterinary life: discussing high-cost treatments with clients. Our guest is Dr. Bing Zhu, a Small Animal Medicine Specialist from SASH, who’s had these conversations more times than she can count, and she shares her hard-earned wisdom on how to approach these conversations with empathy, clarity, and confidence. Here’s what we unpack:
Dr. Zhu shares transformative personal stories, communication strategies, and mindset shifts that will help you communicate more clearly, protect your mental health, and better serve your clients and their pets. Whether you’re still at uni, starting out, or have been in practice for decades, this episode will change the way you handle financial conversations—forever. Ready to rethink “the money talk”? Hit play now. Upcoming conferences that I’m excited to attend:
Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com. Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space. Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Episode Topics and Timestamps 01:45 Presenting the Large Estimate: How Does it Make You Feel? 06:04 The Turning Point: It's Not Your Fault 10:46 Practical Advice For Handling High Cost Estimates 31:04 Stop Avoiding Referral Because You Think You're Saving Your Client Money 36:25 Why Competence Makes Talking Money Easier 38:16 The Cultural Shift Vets Should Make 44:55 Setting Boundaries and Work-Life Balance 55:39 Dr Bing's Podcast Recommendations 56:19 The Pass Along Question | |||
| #142: Thinking About Telemedicine? Here’s What Veterinarians Need to Know. With Dr Shadi Ireifej | 14 mai 2025 | 00:44:34 | |
Telemedicine. What’s your gut reaction when you hear that term?Maybe you think it was just a clever COVID workaround, or second-rate substitute for a “real” vet visit. Or maybe you’re a bit curious about what it’s like to work in telemedicine— but you’re worried it’ll be boring. Or worse: that you’ll spend your days diagnosing lizards over Zoom. Whatever you think— chances are, you’re wrong. But don’t worry. This episode will change that. We go deep on the real-world pros and cons of telemedicine, from two key angles: For curious vets:
For clinic owners:
Our guest is Dr. Shadi Ireifej, a board-certified surgeon, tech entrepreneur, and co-founder of VetTriage, a global teletriage platform. This one made me rethink what “good vet work” really means. I think it’ll do the same for you. Join us on the slopes of New Zealand for our winter CPD adventure with Vets On Tour Wānaka 25. Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts at vvn.supercast.com for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Topics and Time Stamps 01:43 So you think you want to work in telemedicine? 04:20 Common concerns about telehealth work 06:11 Will I get sued for giving the wrong advice? 10:37 Vets on Tour: Upcoming Events 15:55 Income and Work Hours in Telemedicine 18:35 Will I have to give advice for all sorts of weird animals?21:29 Unexpected Joys of Telehealth 23:44 Future of Telehealth and Technology 29:21 Challenges and Lessons in Telehealth for Practice Owners 36:33 What about the technology? We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you’d like to give us some feedback please get in touch via our contact form at thevetvault.com, or catch up with us on Instagram. And if you like what you hear, please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you’re listening and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this. | |||
| #141: From FOMO to Pro: How I Use AI in the Clinic (And How You Can Too). With Dr Hubert Hiemstra | 26 avr. 2025 | 01:03:40 | |
In this solo episode Hugh tackles a bold idea: if you're not currently using AI in your clinical veterinary work, you may be falling behind. And if/when artificial intelligence gets to the point where it reliably has access to all the most up to date information for managing your patients, will you be negligent if you DON’T use it? Hubert shares how artificial intelligence is quietly but powerfully reshaping veterinary practice. He paints a vivid picture of an AI-powered clinic, shows you practical tools you can start using immediately, and challenges you to rethink the future of your role as a vet. What you'll discover:
Hubert doesn’t just speculate — he shows you how AI can work in clinics today, and how you can lead instead of lagging behind. Tune in if you're ready to future-proof your practice, sharpen your skills, and unlock a better way to be a vet. Try out our AI Blood Gas Assistant Join us at Vets on Tour Wānaka, NZ, for the most fun CE event you’ll attend this year. Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space. Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Topics and time stamps 03:08 What could the future of clinical practice look like with AI? 12:48 Can I trust it? What does the data say? 18:22 Where does Ai get its information from? 25:20 How I use it: Using 'general' models for clinical decision making 33:29 Building your own Ai tools 34:06 Google Notebook LM 40:58 MyGPT - your own assistant 54:49 What might the role of the future veterinarian look like? | |||
| #140: Science vs Profit: Navigating Medicine, Money, and Morals. With Dr Brennen McKenzie | 08 avr. 2025 | 01:21:50 | |
Join us for the Vet Vault's own conference in the snow: Vets On Tour Wānaka, New Zealand, 10-15 August 2025! Have you ever felt pressured, as a vet, to do more 'stuff' - diagnostics, procedures, and sell more, even when you can’t quite see the clinical justification for it? In this episode we welcome Dr. Brennen McKenzie-veterinarian, researcher, creator of the SkeptVet blog, author of Placebos for Pets? The Truth About Alternative Medicine in Animals, and all-round lover of science-based thinking. And who better to help us draw the line between solid science and revenue-driven decision making than someone who is known for their scepticism? Dr. McKenzie brings real-world wisdom and refreshing honesty to the debate. Together we explore the often-unspoken pressures of profit-driven care, commission-based pay, and what happens when business incentives conflict with good science. Brennen shares lessons from two decades in practice on how to use Spectrum of care reasoning to make clinical decisions that respect science, client resources, and the needs of your employer. A must-listen for any vet who’s ever questioned the system—and their place in it. Find out more about Brennen's current work in longevity at loyal.com. Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com. Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space. Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Episode Topics and Timestamps 08:11 The Shift to Profit Driven Veterinary Practice 09:46 A Guide to Evidence-Based Decision Making 12:00 Client Communication and Financial Constraints 17:31 Spectrum of Care: A New Approach 32:15 Overdiagnosis and Screening: A Critical Look 39:09 Cognitive Psychology in Veterinary Decision Making 42:45 The Power of Checklists in Medical Practice 43:18 Balancing Autonomy and Systematic Decision Making 45:52 Clinical Audits: Improving Practice Through Data 48:36 Intuitive vs. Algorithmic Thinking in Veterinary Medicine 51:37 The Pitfalls of Anecdotal Evidence in Veterinary Practice 01:07:40 Communicating with Clients About Unproven Therapies 01:18:17 Pass Along Question and The One Bit of Advice | |||
| #139: Stop The Overwhelm: Veterinary Productivity Secrets from the Getting Things Done Master. With David Allen | 21 mars 2025 | 00:54:37 | |
Veterinary practice can be unpredictable, exhausting, and full of interruptions - not that conducive to getting things done, right? But what if you could handle it all with mind-like-water calm? In this episode I pick the brain of productivity legend David Allen, creator of Getting Things Done (GTD), to show you exactly how. This isn’t about squeezing more into your day — it’s about cutting mental clutter, regaining focus, and feeling in control, even when it all hits the fan.You'll learn simple, actionable GTD strategies that busy vets can use today: Master the 5 GTD steps for veterinary practice:
Beat interruptions without losing your mind
Transform team rounds and communication
Join us for Vets On Tour Wānaka, New Zealand, 10-15 August 2025. Limited Early Bird Tickets on sale now. Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com. Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space. Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Topics and Timestamps 03:09 Mind Like Water: The Key to Clarity 05:15 Challenges in Veterinary Productivity 20:33 Practical Tips for Capturing Tasks 28:58 Managing Multiple Projects and Tasks 29:26 The Importance of Knowing the Next Step 30:14 Dealing with Task Shifting and Interruptions 32:25 Organizing Physical and Mental Spaces 35:43 Team Dynamics and Productivity 38:02 Effective Rounds42:20 Balancing Defined Roles and Flexibility 47:35 Book recommendations 48:49 Pass along question | |||
| #138: Veterinary Specialisation Without The Residency: The ’Scenic Route’ You Didn’t Know Existed. With Dr Matt Booth (Part 2) | 02 mars 2025 | 00:27:19 | |
“Did you know the AVMA doesn’t actually require a residency to become a specialist?” Yeah, neither did we—until Dr. Matt Booth dropped that fact-bomb. And it’s bigger than just an interesting fact - it’s a mindset shift that cracks the door wide open to alternative routes to specialisation—for veterinarrians who want to grow their careers, but can’t jump through the hoops of the traditional residency pathway. So, if you are: - Limited by the realities of life outside the clinic - Or just curious about your options in veterinary medicine This one’s for you. Join us for part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Matt Booth—former ER practice owner and ER practice development lead at Ethos Veterinary Health—as we rethink what’s possible in the future of specialisation. Topics and Time Stamps 02:04 Alternative Specialisation Routes 03:17 Challenges and Benefits of Non-Traditional Paths 09:17 Exploring the Hybrid Credentialing Path 19:31 Podcast Recommendations 21:54 Pass along question Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com. Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space. Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. | |||
| #137: Why Emergency Vets Quit (Spoiler Alert: It’s Not What You Think!) With Dr Matt Booth | 15 févr. 2025 | 00:53:13 | |
Most vets believe it’s inevitable—on average, they leave Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) after just 3-5 years. The obvious culprit? Shift work, right? But what if that’s just scratching the surface? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Matt Booth, ER Practice Development Lead at Ethos Veterinary Health, to break down surprising findings from his survey of 3,500 emergency veterinarians. Together, we explore the Five Buckets of Retention—the REAL factors that determine whether your career in emergency medicine thrives or fizzles out. Spoiler: It’s not all about night shifts and burnout. We dig into leadership challenges, the keys to professional growth, and how these insights apply beyond ECC to every role in veterinary medicine. You’ll also catch highlights from my previous chat with Dr. Matt at IVECCS 2023, where we shared actionable strategies for improving recruitment and building sustainable veterinary careers. Whether you’re an ER vet looking for longevity or a practice leader aiming to attract and retain top talent, this episode is your guide to rethinking retention and career sustainability in veterinary medicine. Topics and Timestamps: 00:40 Meet Dr. Matt Booth and the Five Buckets03:47 Recruitment Insights from 202307:36 Survey Findings and Retention Strategies12:07 The Five Buckets of Retention27:07 The Burden of Being a Giver28:23 Creative Solutions for Employee Retention29:04 Leadership and Gender Representation39:59 The Role of paid time off in Retention43:40 Creating a Positive Work Environment46:37 Professional Educational Growth Join me at JAVECCS Tokyo on 15 and 16 March, and at IVECCS 2025 in San Diego on 4-8 Septembet. Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes, library of show notes and access to our veterinary practice AI Toolbox at vvn.supercast.com. Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space. Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. | |||
| 136: Are You Studying Wrong? 3 Counter-Intuitive Science-Backed Study Methods For Veterinary Professionals. With Dr Matt Hollindale | 27 janv. 2025 | 00:45:14 | |
Try our AI Blood Gas Assistant here Are you wasting hours on outdated study methods like cramming and re-reading—only to forget everything by exam day? You might be studying wrong—and Dr. Matt Hollindale is here to help you fix that so you can learn smarter, not harder. When preparing for his ECC Membership exams, Dr. Matt became obsessed with the science of study. The result? He achieved the top marks of the 2023 cohort. Now, he’s applying the same methods to his residency training and sharing them with you. In this episode, we dive into science-backed strategies that transform how you study. Say goodbye to endless highlighting, reading and re-reading, and hello to techniques that actually makes things stick. Whether you’re a veterinary student building good habits early or preparing for specialist exams, this episode will save you many hours. (And possibly even some tears!) Here’s what we cover:
Links & Resources Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Topics and Time Stamps
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at info@thevetvault.com or reach out via our contact form. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who you think could benefit from these game-changing study strategies! | |||
| #135: I Want To, But I Can’t: 3 Ways Moral Injury Differs From Burnout (And Why It Matters). With Dr Shannon Bass | 07 janv. 2025 | 00:56:18 | |
Lift your clinical game with our RACE-approved clinical podcasts at vvn.supercast.com for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Do you ever feel just... flat? Not inspired, not excited, and certainly not energised. It might feel like burnout. Or is it compassion fatigue? Maybe it's neither. You know those moments in veterinary medicine when you know the right thing to do, but external circumstances prevent you from doing it? That dissonance, that discomfort deep in your core: that’s moral injury. In this episode, we unravel the complexities of moral injury with Dr. Shannon Bass, a leader in veterinary medicine and a passionate advocate for supporting veterinarians through the psychological challenges they face. Moral injury, often confused with burnout or compassion fatigue, is an under-discussed but critical issue in our profession. Together with Dr. Bass, we explore the distinctions between these terms, their impact on veterinary professionals, and how to address them effectively. Dr. Bass brings over 20 years of experience in general practice, emergency veterinary medicine, and leadership to this conversation, where you’ll learn
Topics and Time Stamps
Get in Touch Email us at info@thevetvault.com if you want to find out more about Vet Vault/Vets on Tour 2025 in Wanaka, NZ, or about the Essential Consequence Management series for practice leaders with Rhonda Andrews. We love to hear from you! If you have a question for us or you’d like to give us some feedback, please get in touch via our contact form, or catch up with us on Instagram. If you like what you hear, please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you’re listening and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this. | |||
| 134: 5 Reasons Veterinary Teams Feel Undervalued—And How to Leverage ‘Zone of Genius’ to Change That. With Dr Natalie Fayman and Crystal Stokes | 22 déc. 2024 | 01:07:08 | |
Hands up if you feel truly valued and respected at work. In this episode, we dig deep into what truly makes employees feel valued and how leaders can create workplaces that people never want to leave. Spoiler: It’s not just about pay, pizza parties, or avoiding toxic behaviour. We’re aiming much higher! Why You Should Listen Workplaces that crack the code of real team respect and value don’t just retain their talent — they thrive. Whether you’re a team leader or an employed vet, this episode is packed with actionable insights on creating meaningful change, improving communication, and unlocking your unique “zone of genius.” What Team Leaders Will Learn • How to spot and fix the subtle cues that make employees feel unheard and replaceable. •.The counter-intuitive financial upside of investing in team development. “I think that organisations are sometimes coming in backwards, where it’s like: ‘Let’s just focus on the numbers and the metrics.’ If you develop amazing talent and build a strong team, you will make so much money. It is not the other way around.” •.Practical tips to tackle team disengagement and avoid the high cost of turnover. • Strategies for better communication and feedback without burning out as a leader. “Because our brains are pre-programmed to attune to the negative, it’s going to be a negative story. So when people don’t understand what’s happening, they’re going to jump to the worst-case scenario, spread rumours, and act accordingly.” What Employed Vets Will Learn • How to advocate for yourself without feeling ‘pushy’ or ‘needy’. • Why you might be feeling stuck in your role, and what to do about it. • How to discover and step into your ‘zone of genius.’ “If I can maximise my time and attention there, I will be of most use to my company, my team, myself, my patients — everybody.” Our guests are: • Dr. Natalie Fayman: A veterinarian with 30+ years of clinical experience turned certified Positive Intelligence coach, and champion for less workplace dread and more veterinary dream teams • Crystal Stokes: A former ER vet tech turned licensed psychotherapist and leadership coach. As the founder of Full Circle Lab, she’s on a mission to bridge the gap between veterinary leadership and teams. Say not to settling for a ‘meh’ workplace by hitting play on this episode in to learn how to create (or find!) a role where you’re truly respected, valued, and thriving. Your veterinary dream team starts here! Topics and Time Stamps: 06:23: Recognising the subtle things that make people feel undervalued 08:50: The counter-intuitive truth about investing time and money in team development 12:36: The repercussions of getting this wrong 18:13: Leveraging the team to get this right 21:25: Why it’s important to know the limits of your skills 25:23: Upcoming events and conferences 28:41: Pushing for change as someone who is not in a leadership role 35:05: Better systems for better feedback 37:32: Discovering your ‘zone of genius’ 45:59: Addressing team disengagement 52:21: Effective communication and feedback 58:12: Podcast recommendations 58:52: The pass-along question Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts at vvn.supercast.com for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Join me at the JAVECCS ECC conference in Tokyo on 15 and 16 March. | |||
| 🔓 Anesthesia-Associated Hyperkalemia. (Or, That Thing That Greyhounds Do When You Anesthetise Them) With Dr Stacey Jones | 09 déc. 2024 | 00:28:25 | |
Get the show notes for this episode, plus a very neat treatment guide for hyperkalaemia, here. Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com. Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. You may have heard about a condition where greyhounds can become dangerously hyperkalaemic under anaesthesia, but did you know that this isn’t something that happens exclusively in greyhounds? And do you know what the risk factors are for this happening, what you can do to try and prevent it, or how to preempt it? If the answer to any of these is no, and you ever anaesthetise non-human species, then this is one of those “will probably save a patient’s life one day” episodes. Our guest is Dr Stacey Jones, who was involved in publishing the first paper on anaesthesia-associated hyperkalaemia in greyhounds that brought this condition to the veterinary world’s attention. She joins the podcast to share what she learnt while conducting the research for this paper, as well as to provide an update on the work that has been done since that first publication. This update fleshes out our understanding of the condition, focusing on what you need to know about it in practice. Episode Topics and Timestamps 04:06 Symptoms and Detection 07:27 The Greyhound Project: A Case Study 19:15 Hyperkalemia Beyond Greyhounds 22:05 Practical Takeaways 27:53 Conclusion and Additional Resources | |||
| #133: The Menopause Conversation You'd Have If Your Bestie Was A Woman's Health Specialist. With Dr Nicole Avard and Georgina Drury | 29 nov. 2024 | 00:53:07 | |
Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts at vvn.supercast.com for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. “This is not a women's issue: this is a societal issue. We all have women in our lives that we love, that we work with, that we care for, and we MUST be putting these conversations on the table.” If you’re listening to THIS podcast, chances are you’re a veterinarian. That means that statistically, there’s about a 70% chance you’re a woman. That makes an honest, in-depth conversation about menopause not just relevant, but essential. This is that conversation. And even if you’re not a woman, or menopause is still decades away for you, you almost certainly work with or live with someone for whom this topic is, or will be, very significant. You should absolutely care about it- and know about it. In this question-and-answer conversation, recorded live at the Greencross Symposium 2024, we unpack the science, symptoms, and solutions with Dr. Nicole Avard, menopause specialist, and Georgie Drury, founder of Metluma, a digital health initiative that supports women through menopause. From understanding the biology of menopause to tackling its impact on mental health, career, and workplace culture, this is the conversation you didn’t know you needed—but one that will make a difference in your life and practice. Topics and Timestamps [00:04:00] Menopause 101 [00:06:00] Biological Changes During Menopause [00:08:00] Symptoms of Menopause [00:12:00] Mental Health and Menopause [00:15:00] Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment [00:17:00] HRT Safety and Benefits [00:22:00] Myths and Misinformation [00:32:00] Organisational Responses to Menopause [00:40:00] Menopause Q&A
[00:45:00] Advanced Questions on Treatment
Speaker bios: Nicole Avard Dr Nicole Avard is a dedicated Menopause Specialist GP with 18 years of experience as an Integrative GP. As the Medical Director and Co-founder of Metluma, she is passionate about guiding women through the complexities of menopause. Dr Nic has supported thousands of women on their menopausal journey, offering compassionate and individualized care. Georgia Drury Georgie is an experienced entrepreneur and CEO, with a passion for health and technology. As founder and CEO of Springday, she built the business into a multi-million-dollar global organisation, operating across 13 countries in ASPAC before exiting and moving onto her next venture. With Hummingbird Innovations, Georgie advises, invests, and collaborates with boards and organisations. She is currently Co-founder and CEO of Metluma, an exciting and innovative digital health initiative aiming to support women by taking a proactive approach to menopause. We love to hear from you. Leave a review here, or get in touch with questions or feedback at info@thevetvault.com. And if you like what you hear, please share the love by rating us on your podcast player and hitting that share button and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this. | |||
| #132: Beyond the Bottom Line: Redefining Veterinary Business Success and Mastering Money Conversations. With Dr. Paul Harrison | 14 nov. 2024 | 00:44:57 | |
Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts. Get your first two weeks free at vvn.supercast.com for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. What if you asked the head of a famous business school for some veterinary business advice, but instead of telling you about a new system to increase productivity or some new marketing hack, he tells you to ‘focus less on the business side of veterinary practice’? "You have to stop imposing a managerial mindset on these types of businesses - a 'business mindset.' Managerialism has seeped into everything - into industries where it shouldn't be. " An interview that started with the goal of helping vets get better at having difficult finance conversations quickly detoured into a discussion about: - The philosophy of veterinary business, - Why the managerialism that works in some industries doesn’t always translate well into ours, and - What true success could look like. (Don’t worry - we do also get insights on how to make those money conversations less stressful!) Dr Paul Harrison is the Director of the MBA program and Co-Director of the Better Consumption Lab at Deakin University's School of Business, and Adjunct Professor at Sacred Heart University in Milan.The MBA program that Paul designed for Deakin ranks 1st in the world for class experience. Paul is a renowned international speaker on issues related to consumer behaviour, public health and well-being, governance, and marketing. Topics and Timestamps Money Conversations: Challenges and Strategies 04:50 Balancing Business and Values in Veterinary Practice 07:29 Rethinking Success: Beyond Financial Growth 12:17 Exciting News: Clinical Podcast Updates 17:24 Embracing Uncertainty and Value 19:32 Controlling the Customer Experience 24:08 Philosophical Approaches in Business 24:29 Understanding Customer Needs 25:45 Money Conversations in Veterinary Practice 27:15 Human Decision-Making in Emergencies 34:05 Emotional Management in Emergencies 40:30 We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you’d like to give us some feedback please get in touch via our contact form at thevetvault.com, or catch up with us on Instagram. And if you like what you hear, please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you’re listening and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this. | |||
| #131: Resilience Redefined, The Opposite Of Stuck, and Taking Control Of Your Own Wellbeing. With Dr Jess Moore-Jones | 29 oct. 2024 | 00:42:50 | |
Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts. Get your first two weeks free at vvn.supercast.com for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team of specialists in our Specialist Support Space. If you scroll through any veterinary chat group you won’t have to scroll for long before you see a conversation along the lines of: “My career as it is now isn’t really working for me, but I don’t know what my other options are. I feel… stuck.” So how do you become unstuck? Dr Jess Moore Jones is a bit obsessed with what keeps vets engaged and fulfilled, and she helps individuals and teams figure out how to create resilient and thriving cultures and careers through her business, Unleashed Coaching and Consulting, and in this episode we unpack a few of the talks she presented at WVAC 2024:
Jess shares her thoughts on where the line is between being a good team member and having healthy boundaries, why being selfish in the short term can be generous in the long run, and we talk about the ‘four doors’ available to you with every challenging situation. We discuss Jess' first steps to becoming ‘unstuck’ from your career rut, and we ask the big question: are the new generations of vets ‘soft’, or just wise?! Join Dr Jess on 28 November 2024 for her online Women in Veterinary Leadership Summit. Topics and Time Stamps 02:21 The Generational Debate: Are Younger Vets Soft? 03:43 Resilience in Veterinary Medicine: Good vs. Toxic 10:30 Balancing Boundaries: Soft vs. Hard 15:15 Long-term Resilience vs Short-Term People-Pleasing 20:02 Career Coaching: Moving from Stuck to Fulfilled 22:55 Challenging Traditional Work Structures 23:34 Discovering Your True Self 25:06 Overcoming Fear and Taking Action 26:22 Exploring New Opportunities 29:05 The Power of Choice in Your Career 34:27 Mindfulness and Self-Awareness 36:01 Choosing Your Perspective 40:31 Embracing Negative Emotions We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you’d like to give us some feedback please get in touch via our contact form at thevetvault.com, or catch up with us on Instagram. And if you like what you hear, please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you’re listening and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this. | |||
| #130: The Joyful Emergency Vet: Essential Strategies For A Long And Happy Career In Emergency Veterinary Practice. With Dr Brooke Schampers and Dr Taleta Hompas | 06 oct. 2024 | 01:35:46 | |
If you work in emergency practice, or you're considering it, then this episode is for you. Dr Brooke Schampers and Dr Taleta Hompas are ECC veterinarians with more than two decades experience between them who create resources and coach others on how to thrive as an ECC shift worker through there EMV4Life program. In this episode they will tell you:
We discuss what there is to love about emergency vetting, what to consider if you are thinking of a career as an ECC vet, and what other challenges there are beyond sleep and shift work. Contact us to find out about our Vet Vault/EMV4Life resource bundles to help you up skill and navigate life as an emergency vet. Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts. Get your first two weeks free at vvn.supercast.com for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team at specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Topics, Time Stamps and Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:22 Why ECC? What’s to love about it? 06:38 Are Certain Personalities Better Suited for ECC 15:39 The Impact of Shift Work on Health 22:21 Brooke’s Routine for Sustainable Night Shifts 32:51 Balancing ECC Work with Family Life 46:18 Setting Yourself Up for Long-Term ECC Careers 50:32 Rostering 54:17 Increased Productivity On Shift 01:06:17 Finding Your Joy in Veterinary Work We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you’d like to give us some feedback please get in touch via our contact from at thevetvault.com, or catch up with us on Instagram. And if you like what you hear, please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you’re listening and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this. | |||
| #129: Our Veterinary Report Card: Too Many Hats, Too Little Connection, And A Couple Of Blind Spots. With Rhonda Andrews | 18 sept. 2024 | 01:25:17 | |
Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts. Get your first two weeks free at vvn.supercast.com for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team at specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Topics and Time Stamps We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you’d like to give us some feedback please get in touch via our contact from at thevetvault.com, or catch up with us on Instagram. And if you like what you hear, please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you’re listening and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this. 07:35 The Role of Compassion and Innovation12:08 Leadership and Management in Veterinary Practices17:55 Addressing Risks and Governance24:51 The Importance of Communication and Training43:23 Implementing Change in Veterinary Practices44:04 The Role of Coaching and Mentoring44:56 Different Models of External Support46:27 Cross-Industry Learning and Its Benefits56:06 Delegation and Managing Multiple Roles01:00:31 The Importance of Trusted Networks01:09:15 Balancing Client Relationships and Clinical Work01:17:13 Innovative Solutions for Veterinary Practices01:23:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts | |||
| Bonus Episode: IVECCS Live Sessions - I Don't Think That Paper Means What You Think It Does! With Prof Steven Epstein | 11 sept. 2024 | 00:30:20 | |
et access to our clinical podcast series with our 30% off IVECCS Special. Get case support from our team at specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Hands up if you still remember much of the statistics you learned back in vet school… Some of us have looked at way more P nappies than p-values since our student days! But this is veterinary SCIENCE after all, and part of science is reading the occasional paper. Reading papers—beyond just the abstract and the conclusions—and with at least a little bit of discernment, does involve some degree of understanding statistics, just to make sure you’re not being misled. So, in this episode, we’re talking about statistics, and we have the best person for the job. (Don’t skip it because of that word—I promise it’s actually quite fun!) Dr. Steven Epstein is a Professor of Clinical Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care at the University of California, Davis. His research interests include CPR, diagnostic testing in the emergency room, and antimicrobial resistance patterns, and he loves a bit of statistics. Join us for an easy-to-understand, practical, and entertaining update on statistics, recorded live at IVECCS 2024. You’ll even learn a nifty tip to help you (finally!) remember the difference between sensitivity and specificity! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to hear about my favourite 3 lessons I learnt in that week from making the podcasts. | |||
| #128: So You Want To Start Your Own Practice? With Dr Amber Christie, Brooke Goodwin and Caroline Willemse. | 01 sept. 2024 | 00:57:18 | |
Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts. Get your first two weeks free at vvn.supercast.com for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com. Get case support from our team at specialists in our Specialist Support Space. Contact Credabl for questions and help around personal and professional finance for medical professionals, and apply for their $10000 Helping Hands Business grant here. If you’ve ever wondered about starting your own veterinary practice, then this episode is for you. We speak to Dr Amber Christie and Brooke Goodwin, a vet and vet nurse team who are the owners of a brand new clinic, about the highs, the challenges the lessons learnt from building their new practice. Dr Amber is on new practice number four, and she tells us what they're doing differently this time around - from the practicalities of setting up the practice, like practice design, business structure, and finance, to how they’re thinking about things like boundaries, values, and growth. Brooke shares her perspective from a first time business owner’s point of view, and tells us how they are making the vet nurse/business owner structure work for them and for their clients. Finance specialist Caroline Willemse from Credabl took care of the money side of practice ownership for Amber and Brooke, and she joins us to answer common questions and bust some myths about business finance. Topics and Time Stamps 05:21 Balancing Personal and Professional Life as a Practice Owner 10:49 The Importance of Flexibility 16:15 Designing the Perfect Vet Clinic 19:51 Financial Planning and Support for New Practices 30:22 Misconceptions and Realities Starting a Vet Practice: 31:17 Choosing Your Path: Independent vs. Group Practice 31:38 The Joy of Building from Scratch 32:58 Financial Considerations for New Practices 34:48 Renting vs. Buying: Pros and Cons 36:18 Fixed vs. Variable Borrowing 38:51 The Unique Partnership: Vet and Nurse Co-Ownership 46:00 Picking Your Values and Goals 54:33 The One Question We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you’d like to give us some feedback please get in touch via our contact from at thevetvault.com, or catch up with us on Instagram. And if you like what you hear, please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you’re listening and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this. | |||
| #127: What Veterinary Leaders Can Learn From Captain America, Getting Better At Giving Feedback, And How To Motivate The Motivators. With David Liss | 20 août 2024 | 00:41:36 | |
You’ll hear a lot of complaining and blaming of leaders for everything that’s wrong with veterinary science. But the reality is that leading people is a very hard job, especially in a profession as complicated and nuanced as veterinary science. So this episode is for our leaders. We hope that it helps make your job of making our profession better just a little bit easier. David Liss is the Director of West Coast Operations for Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG), and in this episode he’ll tell you about the three essential ingredients of great veterinary teams, and what this has to do with The Avengers and how they defeated Thanos! David also shares his strategies for giving hard-to-hear feedback, and tells us why goal setting is so important for building a great team and how to get the team excited for these goals. But we start with what might be the most important question: how do you, as a leader, stay motivated to keep motivating others?! This episode was recorded live at IVECCS 2023, the conference of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. Join me at IVECCS 2024 for MUCH more content like this, and more ECC clinical content than you could ever wish for. Get access to our highlights and key takeaways sessions, plus the show notes, from all of the conferences we’ve attended this year by joining our Vet Vault Nerds at vvn.supercast.com for more than 500 short sharp and practical podcasts in Small Animal Medicine, Surgery and Emergency and Critical Care. If you need expert help with those tricky cases that you can’t refer - we have a team of specialists on standby to provide you with some extra brains. Contact them here. Topics and time stamps 02:54 Motivation and Inspiration in Leadership 11:14 Back to the Avengers: Team Dynamics 15:43 Setting Goals and Achieving Buy-In 19:19 Profit: It's not a dirty word! 21:26 Handling Difficult Conversations 29:30 Carrot or Stick? Motivators | |||
| #126: Staying At The Heart Of Animal Care: The Disruptors Who Want To Replace Us, And How To Prevent It From Happening. With Dr Thom Jenkins | 02 août 2024 | 01:12:01 | |
In a world of Amazon and Uber-level convenience, where digital disruptors are changing the way the world interacts and how we do business, why do we think that the vet profession won't be impacted? "We're facing a lot of disruption. There is this class of digital disruptive dis-intermediators that are emerging and trying to displace the position of the veterinary clinic. Many of them explicitly have the mission to become the most trusted, most convenient touch point in the pet care journey." Dr Thom Jenkins is the co-founder & CEO of PetsApp, a client engagement platform the streamlines client interactions, and in this episode he'll show you why the veterinary profession is, and should remain, at the heart of animal care, why disruptors think they can compete for the role of ‘most trusted’, and how they’ll do it. You’ll hear how practices are integrating telemedicine and online services with the physical touch points of traditional bricks and mortar clinics, how we’re our own worst enemies when we overpromise and underdeliver, and how a tech-savvy vet sees the role of AI in the future of veterinary science. Thom also tells us about his experiences of working as a vet in China. Please give us your feedback on how to make the podcast better by answering 12 questions here. Join me at the combined ASAV/VBG Conference on 12-16 August on the Sushine Coast, or, for our US listeners, at IVECCS in St Louis on 7-11 September for more emergency and critical care content than you ever imagined possible! Join our nerds for better patient outcomes and more clinical confidence by signing up for our RACE approved clinical podcasts at vvn.supercast.com for a free 2-week trial. We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you’d like to give us some feedback please get in touch via email at info@thevetvault.com, or catch up with us on Instagram. And if you like what you hear then please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you’re listening and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this. Topics and timestamps 05:30 Bad Decisions, Good Stories: Dr. Jenkins' Adventures 11:21 Veterinary Career in China: Challenges and Opportunities 21:51 The Future of Veterinary Medicine: Challenges and Solutions 35:48 Managing Expectations in Veterinary Practice 36:01 The Culture of Martyrdom in Veterinary Medicine 36:46 Setting Realistic Expectations for Customer Delight 38:52 The Role of Disruptors in Veterinary Medicine 40:47 Balancing Quality, Convenience, and Cost 42:29 The Importance of Physical Touchpoints 45:35 Leveraging Technology for Better Client Communication 50:47 The Role of AI in Veterinary Practice 56:37 Addressing Bottlenecks in Veterinary Business 01:09:55 Final Thoughts and Advice for New Graduates | |||
| 🔓 Demystifying Those D$&@ Liver Enzymes. With Prof Jill Maddison. | 23 juil. 2024 | 00:59:30 | |
Ah, those liver enzymes... sometimes they are up when you don't expect them to be. Sometimes they're up a bit... but not that much, so you don't know if it's actually significant. Or sometimes they're way out of whack, but you're not sure what that means exactly, or what to do next. In this episode, Small Animal Medicine Specialist, RCVS Course Director and clinical reasoning guru Prof Jill Maddison helps us take a fresh look at liver enzymes. We review what each enzyme tells us in dogs and in cats, how to interpret changes in both the 'well' patient with the surprise finding on bloods, and in the sick patient, and Prof Jill clears up common misconceptions and pitfalls around ALP, ALT, GGT, and bile acids. This clinical episode has been unlocked for you by Vetnostics Pathology, one of the largest veterinary pathology groups in Australia with the most veterinary pathologists and veterinary medicine consultants. Vetnostics is the new nationally aligned name of what used to the SVS Pathology Network ( (Vetnostics NSW/ACT, Vetpath Laboratory Services WA/NT, ASAP Laboratory Vic , QMLVetnostics Qld/NNSW and TML Vetnostics Tas), with a new consolidated website (www.vetnostics.com), but the same exceptional quality diagnostics, same extensive courier network and same veterinary pathologists and veterinary medicine consultants on other the end of the phone or email to talk you through any tricky results and cases. Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com. Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Episode Topics and Timestamps 05:01 ALT and ALP: Detailed Analysis 05:40 Challenges in Diagnosing Liver Disease 06:40 Liver Enzymes in Cats vs. Dogs 20:44 Bile Acids and Liver Function 26:51 Pre-Anaesthetic Liver Checks 36:35 Understanding Cholangitis in Cats 36:53 The Complexity of Diagnosing Liver Disease 37:45 The Role of Blood Tests in Wellness Checks 38:11 Interpreting Reference Ranges 40:53 Case Studies: Real-World Examples 42:05 The Challenges of Wellness Screening 44:21 The Importance of Biopsies 55:14 Biases in Diagnosis | |||
| 125: Life After Practice Ownership, Locuming Pro Tips, Where Telemedicine Could Fit Into Your Vet Life, And Blurring The Lines Between Work and Fun. With Dr Wolfgang Dohne | 10 juil. 2024 | 01:15:36 | |
Be part of the conversation to help shape the Vet Vault with your feedback. Many of us dream of building a practice, and then one day selling it and walking off into the sunset, minus responsibilities, and with our money problems solved. But what actually happens after what’s supposed to be ‘the big goal’? Who are you when you’re no longer the boss, and what’s next? In this episode, Dr Wolfgang Dohne tells us how he re-invented and reinvigorated his career post the sale of his practice. He also give shares what he’s learnt about being a professional locum vet: the pro tips, the pros, and the cons, and what working in telemedicine has taught him about telemedicine as a career option, and also its potential role in our everyday lives in clinical practice. Join us at Science Week for the most cutting edge conference topics out there. Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com. Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. Topics and Time stamps 04:41 Balancing Work and Personal Life 13:47 The Decision to Sell and Its Impact 23:30 Embracing Locum Work and Telemedicine 28:16 Tips for Successful Locuming 35:22 Overcoming Locum Anxiety 35:45 Essential Tools for Locum Success 36:31 Navigating Different Practice Management Systems 40:51 Building Strong Relationships with Nursing Teams 44:25 Introduction to Telemedicine 48:50 Practical Applications of Telemedicine 53:01 Integrating Telemedicine into Practice | |||
| ANZCVS Membership Oral Exam Last-Minute Pep Talk | 19 juin 2024 | 00:12:56 | |
This little bonus episode is for a very select audience of brave souls who have already completed the written part of their Australia New Zealand College Of Veterinary Scientists membership exams, and are due to sit oral exams in a few week’s time. It's made from snippets of conversation about how to get into the right head space for the oral exams, with tips on last minute preparation, and what to expect in the actual exam. Our guests are specialist surgeons and former examiners Dr Chris Tan and Dr Mark Newman, and former membership candidates Dr Justin Ward and Dr Stephen Mansour, and they deliver on the nuggets of wisdom that might help get you over the line. (Or at least stop you from wetting your pants on exam day!) | |||
| #124: So You Want To Sit The Membership Exams? Your Questions About ANZCVS Memberships Answered. | 19 juin 2024 | 00:59:16 | |
If you clicked on this episode, then I’m guessing that you already know WHAT the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists membership exams are. Maybe you’re considering sitting them, or perhaps you’ve already put your hand up for 2025, but you still have so many questions. Like, how much time would I need to commit, how much study is required each week, HOW hard is it actually, WHAT do I need to study, and how do I set myself up for success? Should I do a course, how do I utilise me mentors, or my study group, and perhaps the most important question… WHY would I even put myself through it?! This episode is made up of multiple conversations about surgery membership, and it will answer all of those questions and more. We talk to specialist surgeons Dr Chris Tan and Dr Mark Newman, as well as membership candidate (at the time of recording) Dr Stephen Mansour and recent successful membership candidate Dr Justin Ward. While the conversation focuses on surgery memberships, most of the information will be applicable to any of the specialties. If you need an on-the-go study aid for your surgery membership prep, or if you just want to take your surgery theoretical knowledge to the next level, check out our advanced surgery podcast at cutabove.supercast.com Oh, and if you were just curious about what membership exams are: the ANZCS (Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists) membership exams are rigorous assessments designed to evaluate the clinical knowledge and expertise of veterinarians who want to level up in their field of interest. Anyone with a degree that is eligible for registration in Australia or New Zealand and with more than 3.5 years in practice can register to sit memberships. The exams serve as a benchmark for professional excellence, enabling successful candidates to attain membership in the College, thereby recognising their advanced competency in a specific area of veterinary science. Still interested? Then keep listening! Topics and time stamps 04:29 Exam Structure and Requirements 08:28 The Importance of Pathophysiology 12:52 Personal Experiences and Motivations 16:54 Balancing Study and Life 17:36 The Value of Membership Certification 26:59 Marketability and Practical Skills 29:36 Preparing for Membership Exams 31:21 Time Management and Study Schedules 35:56 Mentorship and Study Groups 48:17 Essential Study Resources 55:44 Balancing Study and Personal Life | |||
| #123: Beyond Clinical Practice: Harnessing Your Secret Veterinary Superpowers For A Diverse Career, And Leveraging Tough Times To Fight Self-Limiting Beliefs. With Dr Stephanie Morley | 10 juin 2024 | 01:10:27 | |
Have you ever considered doing something other than clinical veterinary practice, only to get stuck at 'but what else could I do? The only skill I have is fixing sick animals!' Dr Steph Morley will show how how wrong you are. You'll learn how the skills and attributes that make you a good vet are highly valued outside of the vet clinic, and how to re-write your CV to make it applicable to any industry. And if you're not considering leaving practice - great! This conversation will help you better value your skills and knowledge and change the negative self talk that devalues your skills and makes you feel like an imposter. Dr Stephanie Morley's career has included a degree in hospitality and business and working in clinical practice and practice management, and in lab animal medicine. This led her first major pivot into a role as the Associate Director of Business Development at the University of Michigan, and then to the entrepreneurial life as the Co-Founder and President of Zomedica. Dr Steph is currently the President of Vetlen Advanced Veterinary Devices, the team behind an innovative new antibiotic delivery device for veterinarians. Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com. Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space. Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week. 04:57 Your Unique Veterinary Superpowers 15:55 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Limiting Beliefs 25:00 Translating Veterinary Skills to Other Careers 36:42 Networking Tips for Introverts 38:27 Transitioning from Clinical Practice 47:19 Innovative Antibiotic Delivery Device 01:07:28 Advice for New Veterinary Graduates | |||