Non Clinical - Recent Threads

Would welfare-based insurance cover solve the price problem?

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 11 May 2026 16:14:18 GMT

Sharing a post here that I put up on Linkedin and wondering if anyone here has any thoughts:

As if we needed it, more research has found pet owners are worried about rising vet bills. What's more, the results are startlingly similar to another study published in the Veterinary Record a few weeks ago.

At that time, Joshua Stern argued that this kind of data does not indicate a systemic problem, just an 'unmet need', which can addressed by emphasising the breadth of treatment options available.

He also said that I should write a solutions-based article which explains how vets could continue advancing care whilst simultaneously bringing prices down.

I continue to disagree with the idea that this is primarily a communication problem rather than a systemic one.

If large numbers of owners repeatedly report anxiety about affordability, across multiple studies, it becomes difficult to argue that the issue exists only at the level of consultation-room communication.

And I’m not convinced that simply emphasising the breadth of treatment options, aka contextual care, fully solves the problem either.

Because unlike getting the fridge repaired, there's a lot of emotion attached to the dog, and people will always want more treatment than they can afford, and resent it when they can't.

What's more, people make rational, logical decisions about their fridge. If it cost £500 to replace, they won't spend £600 fixing it. The same is not usually true of the dog.

Joshua argues — and he is not alone in this — that I am wrong to talk about a “rational” limit on spending, and that I am simply projecting my own view of what constitutes rationality.

But society clearly does make judgments about proportionality in healthcare spending, whether we admit it or not.

If someone spends £30,000 treating a 15-year-old dog, many people would regard that as disproportionate. A billionaire may view it differently, but the earlier research suggested owners themselves place the limit far lower than modern veterinary medicine increasingly assumes — somewhere well south of £3,000.

It was suggested that I write an article which shows how vets can continue advancing care whilst bringing prices down.

I don't think that's possible. Advancing care whilst bringing prices down seems oxymoronic.

I think the solution may lie in offering a lower, more affordable standard of care, perhaps based more strictly on the welfare needs of the animal, and supported with an appropriate level of cheaper insurance cover.

In other words, shifting cheaper insurance from simply offering less comprehensive financial protection to supporting a consciously different model of veterinary care — one focused more on welfare thresholds than maximal intervention.

Of course that doesn't restrict those who want the highest clinical standards for their dog. But the cost of that should not come from the premiums paid by low-income owners.

Just a thought!

Can I have some feedback on a website please?

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 08 May 2026 14:23:01 GMT

Hi all,

I need to up my game on the youtube side of things. So I've redesigned my website and I wonder what you think? It only has one job to do!

Be as rude as you like - I have to develop a thick skin in this game

Thanks for any thoughts / opinions. And if you're interested in any of the things I cover (on the list), do drop your email in the box. I wont spam you! Promise. Just one email when there's a new film.

https://arlo-guthrie.com/

Worming pets - good for the environment or bad? What about driving?

Beats — Tue, 05 May 2026 21:09:15 GMT

RCVS PSS 19.2.7 (Environmental Sustainability) - The practice provides resources on preventative healthcare. Guidance: Reducing the demand for healthcare through prevention will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with healthcare. Examples could include:... de-worming programmes.

RCVS PSS 10.1.30 (Medicines) - A practice must be able to demonstrate that when using Endoparasiticides, it does so responsibly, and is accountable for the choices made in such use. ... Endoparasiticides are linked to various environmental concerns such as the development of resistance...

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RCVS PSS 19.2.4 (Environmental Sustainability) - Routine appointments to and for clients are planned to reduce mileage. Small animal examples: ... avoid unnecessary re-check appointments...

RCVS PSS 10.1.32 (Medicines) - For ... antiparasiticides, a physical examination should be carried out at the time of prescribing unless there are exceptional circumstances. Veterinary surgeons should be prepared to justify their decision in cases where these medicines are prescribed without a physical examination, an explanation of the relevant exceptional circumstances should be set out in the clinical records.

What is an acceptable level of care?

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:44:54 GMT

Prompted by Kate Richardson's case study, and in particular her desire to:

[quote userid="6386" url="~/f/clinical-questions/31345/what-would-you-do/248698#248698"] to help develop a contextualised approach to cases and gain confidence that you can mange cases like this with confidence and no fear of retribution[/quote]

Together with some very interesting replies to a post I made on Facebook, esp from mariette asselbergs, which raised the issue of the continuing systemic bias towards excellence, and a post on here a while back where someone was explaining how you are judged (in any DC case) as to whether a number of your peers would consider your actions acceptable ...

All lead me towards thinking ... perhaps we should have a series of discussions here on VetSurgeon, titled Minimum Acceptable Care: [name of condition]

Leading to a list of condition-based discussions which reach a conclusion of an agreed level of care that would be defensible.

I'm thinking back to Kate's point as to whether this would be helpful for new grads in particular.

What do you think? If you think this has legs, would anyone like to kick me off with a condition (start a new thread with that title).

Which serves clients better, a £200K CT scanner or better nursing care?

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:10:41 GMT

Prompted by a discussion on Linkedin, about this news story: https://www.vetsurgeon.org/b/veterinary-news/posts/pet-insurance-is-out-of-reach-for-many-lower-income-uk-owners-study-finds I want to ask what the general view is here about whether a £200K CT scanner is the best way to serve clients and make money, over other ways of spending that kind of money.

I look at the study in that news report and think .... so only 35% of low-income owners are insured, largely because they cant afford insurance. And of all owners, only 20% would spend over £3k of their own money on treatment, which doesn't leave much change from a scan.

And surely this type of equipment has an inflationary effect on veterinary care more broadly. Do they really pay for themselves or are they to some degree subsidised by other areas of the business?

But even if they DO pay for themselves, they must surely be raising the cost of insurance premiums. It's the many who pay for the CT scans of the few. As this study starkly illustrates, that does seem to be pricing lower income owners out of the market.

Then I wonder, would the clinical care of clients' pets be better served by investing that £200K (plus the training and the maintenance, so probably £300K), in more or better paid nursing care, for example?

NEW: VetSurgeon Discussions — easier to follow

Arlo Guthrie — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:11:03 GMT

Why?

VetSurgeon discussions offer several things that social media platforms struggle to provide:

• Discussions you can actually find again

• Algorithm-free visibility — see every reply

• Space to express nuance and detail

• Profiles that give context to people’s opinions

In a science-based profession, I think those things really matter, and I hope you agree!

What VetSurgeon hasn’t previously offered is a convenient way to follow discussions without being flooded with notifications.

Now it does.

What’s happening?

I’ve introduced a new way to follow discussions on VetSurgeon without endless notifications.

Instead of getting an email every time someone replies to a thread, you can now subscribe to a daily, weekly or monthly digest which summarises:

the latest discussion topics raised by colleagues
new replies to ongoing discussions
the latest veterinary news on the site

Even better, the control for it is placed in the title bar of most pages, making it VERY easy to change your preference at any time.

For example, you might switch to daily updates while following an interesting discussion, then revert to weekly or monthly afterwards — or switch it off entirely when you’re on holiday.

Help rebuild the discussion

If you agree that an algorithm-free platform that offers space for nuanced and thoughtful discussion is an asset to the profession, please help the community grow and thrive:

• Subscribe to the Digest

• Post a question or discussion

• Join an existing discussion

• Spread the word. Tell a colleague about VetSurgeon. Share our public content on social media.

An important note

As we try to reboot discussions on VetSurgeon, there is one thing I will insist on.

Please treat colleagues with kindness and respect, particularly newcomers.

If VetSurgeon is going to become a thriving professional community again, that culture is essential.

Thank you

Thank you to all of you, and in particular Lesley Strong for being the first out of the stalls with a question!

Please keep the interesting discussion topics coming.

Inspirational influences

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:42:04 GMT

The death of Dr Barbara Weaver recently has made me think. Which colleagues have left a mark on your career? Living or deceased.
Barbara was one of mine, A woman in veterinary science way ahead of her time. Kind and funny. Occasionally irritating ( aren’t we all?). Not only interested in the pharmacology of anaesthesia but the physics and practicalities. And above all, deeply caring for her patients and own pets

Does this script sound plausible?

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:09:06 GMT

I've been approached by a scriptwriter who asked if he could join and see what you think of a short bit of script he's written for a vet scene - specifically whether it is plausible and accurate.

I said I'd post if and see what you think.

7. EXT. FARM YARD. DAY. ALICE (Blonde, attractive, well spoken, intelligent, funny.) is with CHARLIE PASCO (Sixties, farmer, Cornish.) They are in a stable.. ALICE examines the horse. CHARLIE stays at the door of the stable.
ALICE So what actually happened?
CHARLIE My daughter was riding him this morning. She said he didn't feel right. Then he took a tumble.
ALICE Right.
ALICE examines the horse's fetlock.
ALICE (cont'd) Ok. Well the cut isn't too bad.
ALICE takes a close inspection of the horse. She takes out a stethoscope. She listens to the horse's heart intently.
ALICE (cont'd) His resting heartbeat is too high. He must be in pain.
ALICE puts her hands on the horses girth and the horses winces in pain. She then does the same thing to the shoulders, girth and flank and gets the same reaction.
ALICE Has he lost weight recently?
CHARLIE My daughter reckons he has.
ALICE Has he been eating normally?
CHARLIE Not all the time.
ALICE He may have ulcers. I will need to take him in. First I'm going to get a sedative and clean his wound.
ALICE walks out of the horse box. CHARLIE looks at the horse and shakes his head.

Anyone?

CMA Final Report

Beats — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:42:26 GMT

I'm not sure I can cope with this added level of bureaucracy to each consultation.

How are others feeling?

A job in a charity clinic is looking very appealing all of a sudden!

VetSurgeon Debugging

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:02:15 GMT

Oh my god, I am having a WILD time with AI here.

There have been a number of bugs with VetSurgeon that I have been aware of, and which bugged the hell out of me (and some of you too, I suspect) but the money wasn't there to fix them.

Chat GPT has removed that little barrier!

I shall post details of any of them as I find and fix them. If there are any that have been bothering you, let me know and I will fix.

First up ...

1. Edit posts on tablet or mobile.
The 'More' Menu under each forum post worked on desktop but not on tablet or mobile. Now it works. Hoobloodyrah!

2. COMMENTS section under news stories
Now styled better, to hopefully nudge people into commenting more. And there's a link to login and comment for people who arrive at the news story logged out.

3. Layout improved in news section
Little tweaks mainly for when viewing in portrait, either on a phone or tablet.

4. Iconography updated at higher resolution

5. Password-protected pages now have a better designed logged out version of the page which explains the value of membership

6. New system installed which should speed new member registrations.

7. Complete facelift for recruitment adverts in the job section

Setting up isolation unit for a pet shop?

Andreas Ege — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:52:54 GMT

Hello,

we have had a person contact us about providing an isolation unit for him. He is about to open an exotics pet shop but apparently does not have the space to set up a separate dedicated isolation room.

We are tentatively interested in providing it as a service depending on how many new animals he will be having come in over a given time and whether he can provide the necessary equipment (we do have a couple of vivariums, but only fairly basic heating and monitoring equipment, it's sufficient to hospitalize a reptile for a day's stay or so but I would not like to use it for a prolonged time). So far we have spoken to the VDS. They will provide us with some links to check but generally advised caution as we may be straying into pet shop regulation territory and probably would not be covered by VDS insurance. They also have advised us to contact the local authority, which we haven't done yet.

Has anybody on here any experience with this kind of thing?

Call answering services (and clinical funding).

Karen Eggleton — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:08:32 GMT

Hello all,

Please could I have current recommendations for call answering services? I've been telling myself for years as an independent ambulatory service that I don't need the use of, but now with the incoming platform economy and more, its becoming apparent I may. A pause of a few minutes in calling a voicemail back can lose me half a day's work which is quite painful!

As a separate and possibly daft question, anyone any knowledge of where, if anywhere, to go looking for funding applicable to veterinary clinical practice, not related to clinical research or mental health research?

I'm looking to try to role out a veterinary palliative care service. I have the only qualification currently available. As an area of vet med, its not widely understood which makes it harder to get it up and running! Currently I either take on more debt to step away from my current clinical practice to dedicate to it, or work painfully slowly to roll it out alongside my current work (more appealing option unfortunately). So just wondering if there is an alternative I'm missing? Not for profit considered. Just need to pay my bills. RCVS/BSAVA grants aren't applicable that I can see.

Thank you!

New Guidelines Suggested for Banning Certain Dog Breeds

David Bentley — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:01:40 GMT

Apparently a group of MPs (in conjunction with which vets, may I ask?) have produced a list of 67 dog breeds that could be banned due to various health problems they suffer with.

Whilst I can understand Pugs and Frenchies being in the list, I am at a complete loss why Border Collies, one of the fittest breeds there is, are on this list. The list of breeds was published in the Daily Mail yesterday and other breeds on the list which I question are Beagles and various terriers. Reasons for being on the list includes bulbous eyes, short legs and mottled haircoats, the latter I suspect being the reason why Border Collies may be on the list due to potential health problems if two merles are bred together. ( which hardly ever happens in my experience). Has April Fool's day come early?

Why have you changed it from Discussions to Debate?

Kate Richardson — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:48:24 GMT

Discussions is a much friendlier word. Debate is more angry (I know it doesn't have to be)

Discuss

Delusional medicine

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:19:24 GMT

One of my concerns is when colleagues take that view that treatments with no rational basis are harmless. Client wants to try reiki? Harmless? No. It diverts money and energy (emotional effort, for example, not quackery energy) from treats that might be effective or delays effective treatment.

Sadly it’s the same for treatments with no biological plausiblility provided by the clinic. Whether it’s omeprazole with NSAIDs or antibiotics for acute diarrhoea. But we can convince ourselves they work of course because most dogs don’t get ulcers or NSAIDs and diarrhoea almost always gets better

One more bugbear (illustrated by comments on VVUK): I always do X because I once did Y and I’ve never had a problem since. So personal experience based on n=1 trumps anything anyone might try to demonstrate with a case series or retrospective because personal experience seems more valid.

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]Latest film about a chapter of the book: Veterinary Controversies and Ethical Dilemmas. And this time it's personal! I've often found doctors to be in the grip of false cause fallacy and confirmation bias. I wonder whether the species of patient makes vets less prone to it. www.vetsurgeon.org/.../138143 Curious how often you're confronted by someone who is convinced about crystal healing, or homeopathy, or some other, perhaps less obvious form of quackery. Once week? Once a year? And what do you tend to do. Appease? Champion science?[/quote]

Tangent of: The medicine seemed to work. That's the problem.

The medicine seemed to work. That's the problem.

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:17:22 GMT

Latest film about a chapter of the book: Veterinary Controversies and Ethical Dilemmas.

And this time it's personal!

I've often found doctors to be in the grip of false cause fallacy and confirmation bias. I wonder whether the species of patient makes vets less prone to it.

https://www.vetsurgeon.org/m/veterinary-controversies-ethical-dilemmas/138143

Curious how often you're confronted by someone who is convinced about crystal healing, or homeopathy, or some other, perhaps less obvious form of quackery. Once week? Once a year? And what do you tend to do. Appease? Champion science?

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.

Confusion VSA and CMA

Alistair Graham-Evans — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:44:41 GMT

Some MP’s have recently posted on Facebook and seem to think the VSA review is all about vet fees. But MP’s aren’t the sharpest or most transparent people in society!

Obviously followed by a pile of comments from people complaining about VAT and the charges they had to pay for their pets.

Although in Australia ( but I’m sure many UK clinics are the same) we have a list of standard fees and tell clients what it includes, eg fluids, analgesia etc and everyone gets an estimate and hospitalised patients get a daily estimate. The client has information and a choice. If this is the case for everyone I don’t see a problem as long as the care is contextualised.
However I see 3 key issues

1 - Over and inappropriate treatment - some owners and some vets are guilty

2 - The stark economics are that if prescriptions are free or capped then the cost of services increases.

3 - If one company owns all or most of the clinics in a locality there is no competition.

Fancy a good night out?

Neil Wheadon — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:13:10 GMT

The fabulous BANFF film festival has a film about Jasmin Paris (the veterinary ultrarunner) as part of it's lineup this year. You have to book the red film program. Details at https://www.banff-uk.com/films

Neil

VSA reform – it’s time for change

Cinzia Gandini — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 22:21:38 GMT

Hello everyone,

I was reading the most recent RCVS Veterinary Board email about the VSA reform. I don’t fully understand the extent of the reform, and I’ve come across several points that I’m unsure how they will translate into practice, such as:

Allowing VNs to work independently of employment by a veterinary surgeon — does this mean opening their own practice and carrying out veterinary procedures?
“Fitness to practise” — will we need to pass additional exams? quote ' Under these reforms, each professional will require a licence to practise for their profession.
Enabling mandatory continuing professional development and revalidation — wasn’t this already the case?

What are your views on this?

Four years come to their close

Olivia Cook — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:47:55 GMT

Four years ago, two thousand of you decided for whatever reason that what you wanted on your governing body was a tired, middle aged vet with a potty mouth who wrote funny stories about greyhounds. I was far from certain that this was the skill set required, but I went in there to give it my best shot.

My term on Council ends in July and with the elections looming I’m writing this to say that I won’t be standing again this time round. My work and my personal life at present are not going to give me the time and the energy in the next year to give the role what it deserves. In these years I never forgot I was there because you put me there, tired and ordinary, to be the voice of a tired and extraordinary profession. The best I take away with me now is the memory of and gratitude for that immense trust you placed in me.

It does not mean I will never stand again. In a year’s time, or two years time, with life more settled, I may well be in a position to commit to it once more. But having worked with so many amazing people on Council I know it goes forward in safe hands.

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, my colleagues and my friends, for if my eyes have not yet seen the salvation of this great profession, they have seen the people who are working towards it. Let that be enough. Thank you.

Liverpool Vet 30 yr reunion (Class of ‘96).

Simon Vogel — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 16:41:16 GMT

There are plans to hold a reunion of the ‘96 class in October this year, and we are making efforts to reach out to all. If you are one of the lucky class (or know one of them), reach out to the group on Facebook or WhatsApp.

BBC Panorama: Why Are Vet Bills So High?

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:46:51 GMT

Time to get out your kevlar suits again. Panorama airs tonight at 8:00pm or on iplayer now: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002pwsm/panorama-why-are-vet-bills-so-high

I've just watched it. I'll withhold comment for the moment. What do you think?

Happy New Year!

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 18:51:13 GMT

Just to wish everyone a slightly belated Happy New Year. 2025 was a bit of an ordinary one, a bit 'vin de table' for me - pedalling along but not getting very far, so I want to make this one a vintage.

Starting off by producing more (and hopefully better) film content, especially 'Veterinary Controversies'.

Also want to get out a bit more ... going to Prague for a weekend soon (anyone been there? I've heard it's nice), followed by a dad-daughter trip to Krakow, which I'm looking forward to ... we're going to Auschwitz, which people say is a very moving experience.

Anyone got anything exciting coming up in 2026.

Happy Christmas, everyone!

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:16:35 GMT

Hope you all have a very Happy Christmas and New Year.