The Consult Room

In this episode of The Consult Room , I explore a topic popping up all over our social feeds: CBD and CBG products for pets. Marketed for everything from arthritis to anxiety, these products are either seen as a healthcare revolution or expensive hype. But what does science actually say? In this episode, I step back from the noise to look at how cannabinoids interact with the animal body, the conf...

In this episode of The Consult Room , I'm exploring a topic that is generating increasing debate within the veterinary profession and among dog owners: the rise of canine fertility clinics . Services such as artificial insemination, progesterone testing and semen storage are becoming increasingly common, but many are now being offered outside traditional veterinary practices. That raises impor...

In this episode of The Consult Room , we’re continuing the “Things You Never Knew” series - and this time, we’re talking all things rabbits. Rabbits are one of the most popular pets in the UK, but they’re also one of the most misunderstood. They’re often seen as easy, low-maintenance animals - ideal for children - but the reality is very different. In this episode, Annie and I break down some of t...

In this episode of The Consult Room , I explore a topic that sounds like science fiction - but is very much real: pet cloning . You may have seen the headlines. Companies are now offering pet cloning services, allowing owners to preserve their pet’s DNA and, in theory, create a genetic copy. But what does that actually mean in practice? In this episode, I break down how pet cloning works, the lega...

In this episode of The Consult Room , I’m breaking down the final report from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into the UK veterinary sector - and what it really means for pet guardians and veterinary professionals. This has been a long-running investigation, and now we finally have clarity on what the CMA believes is happening in the veterinary market, what changes they’re proposing, a...

In this episode of The Consult Room , I’m giving you a clear, balanced update on one of the biggest stories affecting pet care in the UK right now - the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into the veterinary sector. You may remember a previous episode where we explored why this investigation was launched - rising vet bills, corporatisation, and growing concerns around transparen...

In this episode of The Consult Room , I’m joined by veterinary nurse Annie Clark to talk about something listeners often ask for - CATS 🐱 Between us, we see a lot of myths and misunderstandings about cats in consult rooms, clinics and everyday conversations with pet guardians. From the idea that cats are “low maintenance” pets to the belief that purring always means they’re happy, many of these a...

In this episode of The Consult Room , I explore something that sounds technical - but actually affects every single pet guardian in the UK: the government’s decision to reform the Veterinary Surgeons Act . This is the 1966 law that regulates veterinary surgeons and shapes how veterinary care is delivered behind the scenes. But veterinary medicine has changed dramatically in the past 60 years - fro...

In this episode of The Consult Room , I’m joined by Rita Howson , Chief Executive of Support Dogs , and Danny Anderson , Head of Fundraising, to explore a charity whose dogs don’t just offer support - they genuinely change lives. Support Dogs trains assistance dogs for people living with autism, epilepsy and physical disabilities , helping individuals and families who often feel overwhelmed, isola...

This episode of The Consult Room tackles a topic that’s quietly becoming one of the biggest ethical and environmental debates in veterinary medicine. For decades, routine parasite prevention has been seen as essential. Monthly flea treatments. Regular worming. Often given automatically, year after year. But growing evidence now suggests that some of the chemicals used to protect our pets are endin...

In this episode of The Consult Room , I explore a headline-grabbing idea that’s raising big questions in veterinary medicine - the possibility of an Ozempic-style appetite suppressant for dogs. With around half of dogs in the UK now overweight or obese, researchers are trialling a slow-release implant designed to suppress appetite and support weight loss. At first glance, it sounds like a potentia...

In this episode of The Consult Room , I’m joined by Cat Henstridge, better known online as Cat the Vet, to unpack one of the most confusing areas of pet care: nutrition. From raw and grain-free diets to vegan and insect-based foods, we explore how pet owners can separate facts from fads in an industry filled with marketing, misinformation, and social media noise. Cat shares her insights as one of...

In this episode of The Consult Room , I sit down with Alison Thomas, Head of Veterinary Standards at Blue Cross, to ask a challenging question, are we over treating our pets? As the cost of living rises, many owners are finding it harder to afford veterinary care. At the same time, vets face increasing pressure to offer every test and treatment, even when the benefits aren’t always clear. Alison s...

In this special Q&A edition of The Consult Room , I’m joined by my producer and veterinary nurse, Annie Clark, as we answer your pet health questions; from itchy paws to tear stains, insurance dilemmas to grief, and everything in between. Every year at Crufts and across social media, I’m sent hundreds of questions from pet owners, so in this episode, we’re dedicating the mic to you - our liste...

This episode of The Consult Room asks a pressing question: Is the UK heading for a veterinary care crisis? I’m joined by Dannii Thorington-Neve, Head of Veterinary Strategy at Blue Cross, who leads the charity’s Veterinary Care Fund. Launched in 2023 with just 23 practices, the fund now has over 1,700 practices signed up nationwide - a clear sign that more and more pet owners are struggling to aff...

We’ve all heard it: “One dog year equals seven human years.” But it’s wrong - and in this episode of The Consult Room , I explain why. From the rapid aging dogs experience in their early years, to the role of breed, size, genetics, and even new anti-aging research, this episode explores what really determines a dog’s lifespan. Most importantly, it’s about how knowing your dog’s true biological age...

Do we love our pets too much, and could it be harming them? In this episode of The Consult Room , I explore the dramatic shift in how we view our pets - from animals that fit into family life to “fur babies” at the heart of it. We’ll look at the benefits of closer bonds, but also the hidden welfare risks when pets are treated like humans. From the rise of “pet parents” to why I now call myself a “...

In this episode of The Consult Room , I’m joined by Ronan Fitzgerald, a veterinary technical advisor with a specialist interest in nutrition. We’re talking all things fibre, and why it might just be one of the most underrated tools in pet health. From the differences between soluble, insoluble, and fermentable fibre to the growing science of the gut microbiome, we explore how fibre supports digest...

This episode of The Consult Room is a story of resilience, hope, and the extraordinary bond between a vet student and her assistance dog. I’m joined by Jade, a veterinary student living with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), a condition that caused her to collapse without warning, forcing her to leave vet school and putting her dreams on hold. That is, until she met Jules, an alert...

Redundancy has never really been part of the veterinary conversation - until now. In this episode of The Consult Room , I’m joined by veterinary nurse Annie Clark, who shares her deeply personal experience of being made redundant. We talk about the emotional toll, the changing realities of job security in our sector, and what these shifts could mean for animal care, team wellbeing, and the future...

Dog bites are on the rise in the UK and many owners have no idea their dog could land them on the wrong side of the law. In this episode of The Consult Room , I speak with Gemma Taylor, an experienced animal welfare expert from Blue Cross. We explore what’s really behind the increase in dog bite incidents, the complex laws that apply, and what every dog owner should know to keep their dog (and the...

It’s collaboration time and in this special episode, Dr Paul joins Chris Watling as a guest for the launch of the Meet the Animal People podcast. Together, they explore Paul’s personal journey through the veterinary world, from a childhood fascination with wildlife, through the challenges of vet school, to a career that spans clinical practice, charity leadership, and media work. They also reflect...

The Assisted Dying Bill is currently under debate in UK Parliament, with strong public support but also deep ethical concerns. But one profession has been left out of the discussion - veterinary surgeons. As someone who has performed euthanasia countless times, I ask: Should vets have a voice in this debate? In this episode of The Consult Room , I explore: The key provisions of the Assisted Dying...

In this episode of The Consult Room , we explore the Competition and Markets Authority’s investigation into the rising costs of veterinary care across the UK. Join me as I break down the complex issues facing the sector, from corporate consolidation and price transparency to the financial strain on pet owners. Drawing on over two decades of experience in the charity veterinary sector, I discuss th...

In this episode of The Consult Room, Dr. Paul Manktelow is joined by Dr. Stuart Halperin, a leading expert in stem cell therapy for dogs. Together, they discuss the rising prevalence of arthritis in dogs, including why even young dogs can develop this painful condition. Dr. Halperin explains how stem cell therapy, a cutting-edge treatment, is providing new hope by not just masking symptoms but pot...