Malcolm Ness's Activities

AI - Is the end of the world (as we know it) nigh?

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:24:40 GMT

In the last few months, I've gone from an AI-sceptic to an addict, finding it by turns exciting how it has the potential to remove drudge and terrifying for the impact it is and will have on jobs.

You're kind of on the periphery of all this ... a profession which cannot easily be replaced by a computer or a robot.

As a content creator, I'm at the sharp end.

A public relations consultant asked me the other day how I would feel about getting AI press releases. On reflection .. AI can write better than many PRs. Recently, the latest models of AI and video generation have turned a corner and can now produce stuff which is on occasion indistinguishable from human generated content.

I asked Chat GPT the other day what the split is between knowledge and manual jobs, the former being ones that require very little manual input or empathy or face-to-face contact. It's 60 (manual) to 40 knowledge.

I asked its prediction for the percentage of knowledge-based jobs that will go in the next 3 years because of AI: it predicted 20%, which in the UK is a couple of million, or so.

I asked what percentage of knowledge-based jobs would go if AGI (human level intelligence) developed: 100%.

What do you think?

Are you fearful of the future or excited?

If more than 20% of knowledge based jobs go, what might replace them?

Perhaps most importantly, are any of you using AI now to cut out the drudge aspects of veterinary work. Because if you're not, you should be!

I have some thoughts and ideas for developing something AI based to supplement vet-client communication. That was my first idea of what must be a time sink for you, not to mention an endless source of frustration.

Digital Flexor Tenotomy (DFT) or Superficial Digital Flexor Tendonectomy (SDFT), for corn treatment in Greyhound?

Vanesa Humanes — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 08:52:46 GMT

Morning, I'm new in the group,so , I'm not sure if this's the right forum. I've seen recently a Greyhound severely lame with corns on her RC and I'm considering in going a head with surgery ,but not sure which one will have better results long term if Digital Flexor Tenotomy (DFT) or Superficial Digital Flexor Tendonectomy (SDFT), . If Anybody experienced could give some input ans tips I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks

How far should we go in the treatment of animals?

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:54:45 GMT

This is the first question raised by the new book Veterinary Controversies and Ethical Dilemmas, so I met up with the author, lovely man called John Webster, who developed the five freedoms, and this is what he thinks...

What do you think?!

By the way, if you'd like to buy the book here's a link: https://amzn.to/3Jqynjy

Perioperative antibiotics for enterotomy/enterectomy - What do you make of WSAVA poster?

Beats — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 16:27:41 GMT

https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Surgical-Antimicrobial-Prophylaxis-in-Dogs-V8.pdf

What do you do?

What do you think?

I think that last time I used a dose like that of iv amox/clav perioperatively (to be fair over a decade ago) the face went puffy. I think that the last time I saw a dose used of generic cefuroxime (I use zinacef presently for peri-op ortho with implants and am pretty content with it) the face went puffy. I think that I have never used cefazolin and am not sure if I can procure it direct from Kent Pharmaceuticals or not and don't know if anyone else has a better source and even at that looks quite pricey (but possibly makes more sense). I think that double-dose synulox IM at induction absorbs probably pretty quickly but no data in dog under anesthetic and questionable whether the amox in this reaches anywhere near the levels for MIC90 for E.coli being quoted (but at least the face won't go puffy).

I appreciate that for many simple cases antibitoics may make no difference etc etc, and the evidence for all of this is really poor, but just want to know what others do/think as can't make my mind up presently!

Who likes gadgets?

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 10:57:57 GMT

I've been sitting here with a bit of time on my hands recently, as I wait for the developers to finish work on the site upgrade. So I decided to have a shot at a little editorial sideline which combines my love of gadgets with my (limited) journalistic experience ... a new youtube channel reviewing consumer gadgets.

I'm just encoding the first review (of a pair of bluetooth headphones), which should be ready in a couple of hours ... perhaps you would be good enough to tell me whether I look like a twit (you can do so anonymously!). Bear in mind it's my first effort and I've found someone who could help make the video a lot slicker.

Also, I've got a cupboard full of gadgets to review, but it would also be helpful to know if there are any bits of consumer technology/gadgetry you would like explained/reviewed.

What is this in this cats nasal cavity?

Kate Richardson — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:01:44 GMT

Colleagues case- Sneezing cat, unilateral nasal dicharge

Surrendered to reacue centre by son of deceased owner, who suspected 13-14yo ish. Dsh, male, neutered 3 weeks ago at another vets, tested FIV positive then. Bilateral epiphora, sneezing several times a day, unilat serous discharge same side as lesion.

Is the vet nurse at fault here, or the systems / culture / environment where she worked?

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:46:54 GMT

https://www.vetsurgeon.org/b/veterinary-news/posts/vet-nurse-suspended-for-falling-asleep-on-the-job

This struck me as a really backward-looking result.

In the airline world, falling asleep is recognised as a human factor and if it happens, the reasons for it investigated. It's not the 'fault' of the person who fell asleep, just a weakness of the human body. The question that should be being asked is: "Why did she fall asleep".

And then she lied. It's a strong word, that, but there are degrees of lying (or 'being economical with the actualite').

She apparently put in the records that she had taken the pulse and changed the water, after the fact, in order to hide that she'd fallen asleep.

ie, she added the record after she knew the animal was fine.

Whilst not condoning that, it does make it seem like a pretty white lie, as far as they go. Animal fine. Write in notes that pulse had been taken, when it hadn't. Nobody would be any the wiser.

It would be a different thing if she had claimed to give some time-dependent medication or something.

But this seems like an entirely understandable and human reaction, where surely the more constructive thing would have been to investigate what processes are in place to stop people with medical issues from working late hours, or how to foster a blame free culture in which people can feel free to own up to things like this without fear.

This does nothing of the sort.

Seems a bit medieval to me.

What do you think?

Good news for the future of the veterinary profession

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 23 May 2025 16:25:03 GMT

This in The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/science/article/dogs-v-babies-canines-parenting-falling-birthrates-grfz0627h about a paper which asks whether the falling birthrates in Western society and the increase in the number of people who consider their dog to be their 'child' is coincidence.

Here's the paper https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1027/1016-9040/a000552.

Honestly, I think the world has gone mad. But hey, at least the demand for veterinary services isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Does make me think. I mean, I may think it's daft, but if people really do see their animals as children, then perhaps there is nothing wrong if they want to spend £20K (or more) on their dog.

But maybe that is the problem with rising vet prices ... the profession is being led entirely by the 16% of owners who will stop at nothing for their fur baby, and not providing the low cost alternatives for people who have a more arms length relationship with their dog and therefore don't want to spend eye-watering sums.

Thoughts?

I would really appreciate your thoughts on the idea of a standalone diagnostic imaging centre.

Judith Joyce — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 12:22:19 GMT

Afternoon all,

As part of my MBA I am doing a capstone project on whether there would be uptake for a standalone diagnostic imaging centre. I've inserted a diagram to show it would work and the question I am asking is whether vets would use it if they didn't have the caseload, capital or inclination to have the full diagnostic imaging set up in house.

It's a common model in human medicine but a bit different to how vet diagnostic imaging is procured. It needs a conurbation to function so that there are enough 'feeder primary care practices (PCPs) but it should operate more cheaply than small to medium sized practices.

I would specifically like to know whether you would consider it, and whether pet owners would use it. Also what factors are likely to influence vets and pet owners when/if using it.

I had originally thought of MRI and CT then thought it could include Xray, ultrasound etc.

I also wondered about ownership - external company, individual PCP, PCP co-operative?

But if you had any other comments I would be very happy to hear them.

It's a project, not a business plan! I would really be very grateful for your thoughts

.www.vetsurgeon.org/.../7802.Standalone-DI-centre-_2D00_-hub-and-spoke.pdf

End of the road for BSAVA Congress ... what now?

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:51:54 GMT

Really sad to get the news about BSAVA Congress today, so many happy memories from my early career - I wonder if anyone is old enough to remember the beer!

https://www.vetsurgeon.org/b/veterinary-news/posts/end-of-an-era-as-bsava-retires-congress

Carl Gorman I was trying to remember if it was you that got called to deal with the protesters. Or maybe it was Freda Scott-Park (I should be able to distinguish between the two of you, but it was so many years ago!)

Anyway ... to me there always seemed to be a particularly happy vibe about BSAVA Congress, and I suppose that this is mostly because of the London Vet Show going from strength to strength, and what with exhibitor costs being what they are, I guess there just isn't room for two major congresses in one country as small as this one.

What do you think? Is there room for more smaller, localised events? Somehow London Vet Show feels a bit more impersonal than BSAVA Congress used to. Perhaps because of the venue. Does that matter? Perhaps just one big hoolie is enough.

Labrador elbows

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Fri, 16 May 2025 10:56:09 GMT

My nine year old lab has DJD of her elbows. She is on librella, paracetamol , gabapentin and galliprant. She has just started amantadine too. I know I’m in the last chance saloon with her. I’m going to a referral centre for an opinion which might include elbow replacement. I’m torn as I’m not sure that just because it’s possible , is it the right thing to do. I’ve heard that it is challenging . She’s not your typical lab, I think she would find hospitalisation and rehabilitation very stressful. I’m not sure what I’m asking here but any opinions welcome , I know I can reply on you for straight talking

Rest periods after TPLO?

David Mills — Sun, 18 May 2025 20:05:53 GMT

Working somewhere currently that have peripatetic surgeons coming in doing TPLOs (different companies). Not after a discussion on their indication! we've been there.

However quite surprised by some of the post op instructions. Many are

1. Nsaids for 4w post op

2. All have a week of abx

3. Exercise - this is the main one - pretty much start 5min 3x a day from week 6 after follow up rads building up over the next 2m.

So 3) is my issue. Is this normal? Are we really expecting a 4-5 months recover time for these dogs and nothing in the first 6w?!

New practice start ups - is there still financing available?

An On MRCVS — Thu, 01 May 2025 21:04:49 GMT

I have a non-clinical (manager) colleague who has approached me (a vet) about owning a practice together. They don't have a lot of money so was assuming they'd need to go down the JVP route.

I'd rather own outright, and do have a bit of money saved up to put towards it.

For people who have done it recently, how have you financed a practice start -up and what level of personal contribution did you have to make? Is it generally difficult to arrange?

Anything we should really know at this stage?

Anonymous as they wouldn't want their employer to know yet.

BBC investigation into pressure on vets to meet targets

Cinzia Gandini — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:09:44 GMT

I'm not sure owning so many practices is actually business efficient is it not that they can incur in big financial problems?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62zzegvk33o

Suture choice for flank cat spay - what do you use? Anything you would not use?

Beats — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 15:01:02 GMT

Asking for a friend!

Mainly re muscle layer in cat flank spay - what do you use and anything that you would not use based on your own observed experiences?

Many thanks!