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
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
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.
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!)
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
“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
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 Relin , 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
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.
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
Thinking of trading grey skies for the Australian sun – stethoscope in hand?
Moving to Australia as a vet can change your life, but here’s the truth: it’s not a straight road. Between visa hurdles, the dreaded AVE exams, and adjusting to a new culture (gotta love the Aussie slang!), the journey demands grit, strategy, and support.
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
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.
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
🎙️ 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.
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
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.
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.
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 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?
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
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
“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:
- Ambitious, but feeling a bit stuck
- 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.
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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.