The Consult Room

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 ending up far beyond the clinic - in rivers, waterways, and ecosystems.
To explore what this means for pets, vets, and the planet, I’m joined by Andrew Prentis, a veterinary surgeon with nearly 40 years’ experience across private practice, charity hospitals, and academia. Andrew is a Visiting Fellow at Imperial College London and a member of the PREPP group, producing rational evidence for parasiticide prescription.
In this balanced, evidence-led conversation, we unpack how parasite treatments enter the environment, what the science actually shows, and why a more risk-based, individual approach to parasite control may be overdue.
In This Episode
How flea and tick treatments end up in rivers and waterways
What research shows about imidacloprid and fipronil contamination
The environmental impact on insects, food chains, and biodiversity
Why “blanket prevention” became the norm in veterinary care
The difference between hazard-based and risk-based parasite treatment
Commercial pressures, pet health plans, and industry influence
Practical alternatives and what responsible parasite control could look like

Key Takeaways
🔹Not all pets face the same parasite risk
🔹Routine treatment does not always equal best practice
🔹Some commonly used parasite chemicals persist in the environment
🔹A risk-based approach can protect pets while reducing environmental harm
🔹Responsible prescribing builds trust without compromising welfare

Resources & Links
Learn more about environmental research into parasiticides
Visit VetSustain for sustainability guidance in veterinary care
Follow @DrPaulTheVet for future episodes and updates
💬 Do you use parasite treatments routinely, or only when needed?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
📲 Don’t forget to follow the podcast and leave a review - it really helps these conversations reach more people.

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 potential breakthrough. But obesity in dogs is largely a human-created problem, and that raises important ethical, welfare, and responsibility questions.
I unpack the science behind GLP-1 implants, the potential benefits for certain dogs, and the concerns vets need to think about carefully - from masking early signs of illness to shifting responsibility away from diet, exercise, and lifestyle.
This episode isn’t about rejecting innovation. It’s about asking whether medical solutions should support better care, or replace it?

In This Episode:

Why dog obesity is one of the biggest welfare challenges today

How appetite-suppressing implants work

The real causes of pet obesity

Ethical concerns around medical shortcuts

Why exercise matters beyond weight loss

Could appetite suppression mask early disease?

Where drugs fit - and where they don’t

Key Takeaways:

Dogs don’t feed themselves - obesity is a human responsibility

Weight-loss drugs may help some dogs, but won’t fix the root problem

Exercise is a legal and welfare requirement, not optional

Appetite is a vital clinical warning sign

Education, portion control, and lifestyle change remain essential

Resources and More Info:
🌐 Visit theconsultroom.co.uk for more episodes and evidence-based advice
🐾 Follow @‌DrPaulTheVet for insights and discussion
🎙️ Enjoyed the episode? Follow and review The Consult Room wherever you get your podcasts.

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 the UK’s most trusted veterinary voices online, tackling myths head-on and highlighting what really matters when it comes to feeding our pets well.
Together, we discuss the science behind balanced diets, the rise of pet obesity, the ethics of feeding trends, and how vets can communicate more openly about nutrition without fear of backlash.
In This Episode:
Why pet food myths spread so easily online

The truth about raw, grain-free, and vegan diets

How marketing and “fear-based” ads influence pet owners

The importance of complete and balanced nutrition

Why affordability and access must be part of the nutrition debate

What to look for on pet food packaging

How to spot misinformation on social media

Key Takeaways:
Nutrition is a science - not a trend

Fear-based marketing undermines trust in vets

Complete and balanced diets can be found at all price points

Social media has amplified myths about “natural” and “premium” feeding

Vets need to be braver and more open when talking about pet diets

Resources and More Info:

🌐 Visit theconsultroom.co.uk for more pet health advice and podcast episodes
🐾 Follow @DrPaulTheVet for expert insights and updates
📱 Follow @CatTheVet for myth-busting pet content
📚 Learn more about pet nutrition at wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit
🎙️ Enjoyed the episode? FollowThe Consult Room wherever you get your podcasts.

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 shares her insights from decades of experience in both private and charity practice, explaining why sometimes “doing less” can actually mean delivering better welfare.
We explore the concept of pragmatic veterinary care - an approach that’s realistic, affordable, and welfare-first, and discuss how communication, confidence, and compassion can bridge the gap between clinical excellence and everyday practicality.

In This Episode:
What pragmatic veterinary care really means
Why the cost of care is driving an access crisis
How to balance “gold standard” treatment with welfare-focused care
The rise of defensive medicine in the profession
The impact of pet owners’ expectations on clinical decisions
Why confidence and experience shape better judgement
Practical tips for affordable pet health care

Key Takeaways:
Pragmatic care isn’t low quality - it’s high welfare and realistic
Over-treatment can reduce welfare as much as under-treatment
Communication and trust are key to managing expectations
Vets need confidence to say “enough” - not everything needs testing
Vaccination, diet, and prevention remain the best investments in care

Resources and More Info:
🌐 Visit theconsultroom.co.uk for more pet care insights and episodes
🐾 Follow @DrPaulTheVet for behind-the-scenes content
📚 Learn more about Blue Cross and their work at bluecross.org.uk
🎧 Listen to Alison’s recommended author, Atul Gawande, for inspiring insights on medicine and ethics
🎙️ Enjoyed the episode? Follow and review The Consult Room wherever you get your podcasts.

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 listeners.
From behaviour and wellness to end-of-life care and first-time ownership, it’s an honest look at the real questions pet guardians ask.

In This Episode:
Why dogs obsessively lick their paws
How to support a cat through grief after losing a companion
Nail trimming at home - what to do (and what not to!)
Tear staining in Chihuahuas and other breeds
When it’s time to say goodbye - assessing quality of life
The truth about rising pet insurance costs
What to expect when your female dog hasn’t had her first season
Tips for first-time dog guardians working from home
And… who do I love the most - Rodney or my husband?

Key Takeaways:
Always rule out medical causes before assuming a behavioural issue
Grieving pets need time and stable routines to adjust
Nail clipping confidence starts with early handling and calm training
Tear stains are often anatomical, not always treatable
Quality of life decisions should be guided by mobility, appetite, and engagement
Insurance costs rise with age - plan early, save, or shop wisely
Dogs thrive on structure, even when you work from home

Resources and More Info:
🌐 Visit theconsultroom.co.uk for more advice and episodes
🐾 Follow @‌DrPaulTheVet for behind-the-scenes updates and Q&A calls
📚 Book recommendation: How Animals Grieve by Barbara J. King
🎙️ Enjoyed the episode? Follow and review The Consult Room wherever you get your podcasts.