The veterinary profession is filled with extraordinary people — compassionate, intelligent, resilient individuals who dedicate their lives to caring for animals and supporting others. Yet behind that dedication, many veterinary professionals quietly struggle with stress, burnout, isolation and loneliness. The Veterinary Voices Hiking Group was created to help change that. Founded by RVN Robyn Lowe alongside veterinary surgeon Paul Horwood, the group was born from a simple but

The Veterinary Voices Hiking Group took to the Brecon Beacons this April for a two-day navigation event that delivered far more than just map-reading skills—it gave us an unforgettable adventure. Blessed with incredible weather, the group gathered on Friday morning full of energy and anticipation. After brushing up on navigation theory over breakfast at the Dovers Arms (Newgate St, Brecon), we headed out into the hills to put those new skills to the test. What followed was a

Feline FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease) If your cat is hopping in and out of the litter tray, visiting the garden constantly, straining to pass urine or passing small amounts of urine frequently, they may be showing symptoms of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). You may even notice that their urine is blood-tinged. One serious complication of FLUTD is urethral obstruction, commonly known as a blocked bladder. Male neutered cats are especially at risk of bec

Article supported by Purina Petcare 2026 As our pets enter their golden years, their bodies - and their nutritional needs - begin to change. They may move a little slower, seem a bit stiff, or lose muscle tone. Their appetite may shift, and you may notice changes in their weight or body shape. Just like us, ageing brings natural changes that require extra support. It’s important to discuss any changes you’ve noticed with your veterinary team, rather than assuming that they ar

Written by Robyn Lowe BSc Hons, Dip AVN (Surgery, Medicine, Anaesthesia) DipHE CVN, RVN Director: Veterinary Voices UK As part of our SPVS Congress Special with Paul Horwood - Podcast (due to be published on Sunday the 22nd February) and SPVS Congress Talk (Friday 27th February) We are in the era now of veterinary professionals who have started out their veterinary journey because of the deep love of James Herriot and the idealistic views of his adventures, anecdotes, and tra

Christmas can be an exciting time for all the family, so it’s not surprising that people want to include their four-legged family members in the festivities. This may include feeding a few yuletide treats, but be warned, some of our favourite seasonal foods could spoil your dog’s day very quickly! Common Christmas foods can cause anything from digestive upset to serious, life-threatening toxicity. Firstly, there’s absolutely no need to feed your dog anything in addition to th

Summary: Key Statistics on Antibiotic Resistance and Use (UK, 2024) 17% increase in deaths linked to antibiotic-resistant superbugs in England (2024). 22% of antibiotics dispensed through private (human) prescriptions in 2024. 30% of all UK antibiotic use attributed to farm animals (2017 data). 96% reduction in injectable Highest Priority Critically Important Antibiotics (HPCIAs) on UK dairy farms (2017–2020). 55% reduction in total antibiotic sales for livestock sinc

INTRODUCTION Mobility can be defined as the ability to move without restriction or pain. 1 Animals may alter the way they move to avoid pain or discomfort. Owners may notice that their pet has been struggling to climb stairs, is unable to climb into the car, showing occasional stiffness, reluctant to exercise or is taking longer to get up when lying down. Changes to an animal’s mobility capabilities may be an indication of injury or disease. 2 Diseases affecting the mechanica

In an episode of Vet Voices On Air , Robyn talks with Professor Dan O’Neill (RVC; co-lead, VetCompass ) about a powerful idea reshaping small-animal welfare: innate health . Instead of asking, “Does this dog have a disease today?”, innate health asks, “Does this dog have the capacity to live the full life a dog should?” That means breathing, blinking, sleeping, running, communicating, and self-care without compromise—across a normal lifespan. Listen Here: https://open.spoti