The Vet Vault: Fall In Love With Veterinary Science

Dr. Hubert Hiemstra
  • 4.9 (17)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED FORTNIGHTLY

Vet life can be tough—but it’s also good. So, how do we make it even better? Join inspiring conversations with veterinary trailblazers who share real stories, fresh ideas, and strategies to help the talented, passionate humans (like you!) who make up the veterinary profession thrive—in work and in life. Hosted by Dr. Hubert Hiemstra, a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience and a passion for helping vets build happier, more fulfilling careers. Hubert brings warmth, curiosity, and a knack for asking the right questions, creating a space where the best ideas in vet med come to life.

  1. 150: What Every Vet Should Know About Antimicrobial Resistance. With Dr Kate Worthing

    12 HR AGO

    150: What Every Vet Should Know About Antimicrobial Resistance. With Dr Kate Worthing

    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: Why antimicrobial resistance is not just a global issue - it’s personal, and it’s already in your consult room.How selection pressure works beyond the infection: across the microbiome, the patient, and the environment.Why MRSA isn't really the problem you should be worried about (and where you SHOULD point your attention).Where resistance risk is highest in small animal practice.What “good prescribing” looks like in real lifeHow to find and apply trustworthy prescribing guidelines without slowing down your workflow. 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 Video 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.

    43 min
  2. 149: AI Radiology for Vets: How Accurate Are Todays Tools Really? With Dr Steve Joslyn

    5 DAYS AGO

    149: AI Radiology for Vets: How Accurate Are Todays Tools Really? With Dr Steve Joslyn

    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: How these tools are built: Neural networks, down-sampling, and the truth behind “ground truth”.The data dilemma: Why most AI tools perform best in theory, not in general practice.Where they fall short: From image quality issues to breed bias and external validation gaps.New accuracy data: Insights from Dr Joslyn’s pilot study comparing six commercial AI tools.A decision-making playbook: When to trust AI, when to double-check, and when to avoid it entirely.Ethics and workflow impact: Who’s responsible? What do you tell clients? Can AI triage be trusted?How to stay future-ready: What’s coming next – and how to adapt without compromising care.🎧 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!)

    55 min
  3. 🔓Your Game Plan for Brachycephalic Anaesthesia: Tips, Drugs, and Red Flags. With Dr Abbie Tipler

    4 NOV · BONUS

    🔓Your Game Plan for Brachycephalic Anaesthesia: Tips, Drugs, and Red Flags. With Dr Abbie Tipler

    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 Structured history taking: airway, gastrointestinal, sleep, and anxiety indicatorsUnderstanding the link between upper airway obstruction and GI dysfunctionAssessing regurgitation, silent reflux, and aspiration riskPre-treatment protocols: omeprazole, metoclopramide, and diet adjustmentsIdentifying when to delay elective procedures for optimisationUsing C-reactive protein and radiographs to assess for aspiration pneumoniaManaging anxiety pre-hospitalisation with trazodonePlan for the day of surgery Fasting times and timing surgeries for optimal recovery monitoringStrategies for minimising stress in brachycephalic patients pre-opThe role of early premedication and pain reliefDrug choices: the “Goldilocks” approach to sedationReducing regurgitation riskYour pre-op pro tipsExtubation and recovery: positioning, monitoring, and oxygen weaningThe impact of cage-side nursing and owner-assisted recovery

    51 min
  4. 148: Is the Veterinary Business Model Failing Our Patients? A Frontline Perspective From a Top UK Charity. With Dr Paul Manktelow

    15 OCT

    148: Is the Veterinary Business Model Failing Our Patients? A Frontline Perspective From a Top UK Charity. With Dr Paul Manktelow

    “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: Trends from the front lines in the charity sector How “affordability” is shifting under rising cost of livingDecision-making tools that balance optimal vs achievable careBusiness models that either enable or block access to careHow vets can approach financial conversations with clarity, dignity, and trustYou’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

    1h 20m
  5. 147: What I Got Wrong (And Right!) About AI in VetMed: A Software Engineer Sets Me Straight. With Rohan Relan

    28 SEPT

    147: What I Got Wrong (And Right!) About AI in VetMed: A Software Engineer Sets Me Straight. With Rohan Relan

    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 Relan , 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: Why AI is not just a "smarter Google”- and why that mattersThe risky shortcuts vets are already taking (and how to avoid them)How to increase trust and accuracy when using AIWhere innovation collides with privacy, data, and consentDIY AI vs purpose-built tools  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

    1 hr
  6. PIMA: The Anaemia That You Didn’t Know About, But Really Should. With Dr Cynthia Lucidi and Dr Claire Sharp. Bonus - Live at IVECCS

    8 SEPT · BONUS

    PIMA: The Anaemia That You Didn’t Know About, But Really Should. With Dr Cynthia Lucidi and Dr Claire Sharp. Bonus - Live at IVECCS

    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: Defining ineffective haematopoiesis and how it differs from hypoplasiaDiagnostic criteria and differentials for PIMA vs. IMHAImportance of timing and interpretation in persistent non-regenerative anaemiaWhy bone marrow aspiration is underused and how to perform it effectivelyPathologist tips on identifying spherocytes and phagocytosis artefactsChallenges of diagnosing IMHA and PIMA in catsRole of transfusions and crossmatching in long-term PIMA managementTimeframes for response and remission in PIMA treatmentWhen to consider splenectomy for refractory casesClinical significance of myelofibrosis in dogs with PIMAEducating clients and general practitioners on prognosis and referral timing Click here⁠⁠ to access all of our clinical content at IVECCS special rates.

    49 min
  7. 146: Your Veterinary Sixth Sense: How It Works, And How to Teach It. With Dr Annie Wayne

    26 AUG

    146: Your Veterinary Sixth Sense: How It Works, And How to Teach It. With Dr Annie Wayne

    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: What “naturalistic decision making” really means (and why it feels like a sixth sense)How experienced vets spot subtle signs that others missHow to externalise your gut feeling so younger vets can learn from itReal-world strategies for mentorship and better clinical teachingHow to avoid the traps of lazy “shortcut” thinkingHow this framework builds confidence and reduces stress in new gradsAnnie’s personal take on parenting through training—and how to smash the stigma around pregnancy in vet careers 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

    1 hr
  8. #145: Working in Australia: The Essential Roadmap for International Vets. WIth Dr Natalia Gomez

    6 AUG

    #145: Working in Australia: The Essential Roadmap for International Vets. WIth Dr Natalia Gomez

    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: Why Australia is one of the most in-demand vet destinations – and how to make it work for youThe step-by-step roadmap to your veterinary licence (no fluff, just facts)AVE decoded: costs, structure, study tips & mistakes to avoidWhat it’s really like working under supervision (and finding supportive employers)The practical exam explained: sheep tipping, cow pregnancy tests, and moreSurviving the financial and emotional rollercoaster – without burning outHow to adapt to Aussie culture, slang, and workplace quirksLife on the other side: what makes it all worth it 🎧 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

    53 min
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4.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Vet life can be tough—but it’s also good. So, how do we make it even better? Join inspiring conversations with veterinary trailblazers who share real stories, fresh ideas, and strategies to help the talented, passionate humans (like you!) who make up the veterinary profession thrive—in work and in life. Hosted by Dr. Hubert Hiemstra, a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience and a passion for helping vets build happier, more fulfilling careers. Hubert brings warmth, curiosity, and a knack for asking the right questions, creating a space where the best ideas in vet med come to life.

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