The WSAVA Podcast

WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association)
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Welcome to the official podcast of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, where we bring you conversations with leading veterinary experts from around the globe. Each season spotlights one WSAVA committee, sharing their knowledge, research, and insights through short, accessible interviews. Every fortnight, we speak with two experts on a shared theme, offering concise, engaging discussions designed to spark curiosity and guide you toward WSAVA’s extensive library of educational resources, webinars, and events. Hosted by WSAVA President Jim Berry, the podcast delivers focused conversations that connect you with the latest thinking in small animal medicine worldwide. You can find more educational resources from WSAVA here: https://wsava.org/education/

  1. 2h ago

    Navigating Emotional Trauma and Personal Strengths

    How can veterinary teams process the emotional weight of daily practice and find the inner strength to keep going? In the first episode of our series on Professional Wellness, interviewer Elli Kalemtzaki talks with Angie Arora and Iván López Vásquez to look closely at emotional healing and personal resilience. First, Angie Arora discusses workplace trauma exposure, explaining why trauma is not just about extreme events, but also the chronic buildup of difficult cases, euthanasia, and client distress. She explores how habits like perfectionism and overworking often start as self-protective strategies, and shares what team members need most right after a medical error. Then, Iván López Vásquez looks at the science of personal strengths, questioning the traditional idea of "bouncing back" and explaining why healthy teams should focus on "bouncing forward" instead. He introduces the concept of signature character strengths - such as curiosity, kindness, or self-regulation - and shares practical ways clinicians can draw upon them to handle angry clients, avoid burnout, and stay connected to what matters.Resources & Links WSAVA Professional Wellness GuidelinesWSAVA AcademyVIA Character Strengths Survey (UPenn) - The free, evidence-based online questionnaire mentioned by Iván to discover your top personal character strengths.Arora Wellness - Trauma-informed therapy, compassion fatigue support, and training for animal care teams.Vetcoach - Leadership development and positive psychology consulting dedicated to veterinary professionals.Support & Crisis Resources Not One More Vet (NOMV) - Global peer support networks and crisis resources for veterinary teams.Vetlife  - Free, confidential 24/7 support for the veterinary community via phone and email.Befrienders Worldwide - Global directory of confidential, 24/7 emotional support helplines by country.Contributors Elli Kalemtzaki, DVM, MSc: Episode Interviewer; Veterinarian, Business Psychologist, Coach, Business Development Manager at Vet Planet, and Chair of the WSAVA Professional Wellness Committee. LinkedInAngie Arora, MSW, RSW: Founder & Veterinary Social Worker at Arora Wellness, Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist, and WSAVA Professional Wellness Committee Member. Website | LinkedIn | Instagram: @arora.wellnessIván López Vásquez, MV: Veterinarian, VETCOACH CEO, international speaker, and WSAVA Professional Wellness Committee Member. Website | LinkedIn | Instagram: @vetcoach @positivetly This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

  2. Aug 27

    Ageing Is Modifiable – and Nutrition Plays a Role!

    This special stand-alone episode is supported by Royal Canin and is independent of the regular Nutrition Series. What if we could modify or even slow down the ageing process itself, shifting the veterinary conversation from managing inevitable decline to expanding a pet's vibrant health span? In this special stand-alone episode, host Dr Peter Higgins sits down with veterinary specialist physician and Royal Canin feline health specialist Dr Tanya Schoeman to unpack the rapidly evolving science of pet gerontology and proactive clinical care. First, Tanya discusses shifting the clinical narrative to early intervention, highlighting a famous long-term canine study on body weight and the critical value of building baseline health databases long before outward signs of decline appear. Then, she looks closely at our feline friends, revealing how subtle behavioural shifts mask pain or cognitive decline, sharing startling insights from a massive global pet owner survey, and offering actionable strategies to guide clients as a major wave of "pandemic pets" enters middle age and how to keep them in their prime. Resources & Links WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines Royal Canin Academy Digital Library - Portal for downloading the Healthy Ageing Conversations Guide for veterinary practitioners. JAVMA Landmark Paper: "Aging is Modifiable" – The highly discussed geroscience study co-authored by Dr. Tanya Schoeman establishing the clinical paradigm shift toward "health span" modification.The Dog Aging Project – The massive citizen science research initiative tracking canine aging biology as a comparative model for human gerontology.Feline Osteoarthritis Nutritional Study – The clinical trial mentioned by Tanya proving the efficacy of an Omega-3, curcumin, and hydrolysed collagen-enriched diet compared to standard medical management for cats with joint disease.AAFCO – The official regulatory resource setting animal feed and pet food nutritional standards for growth, reproduction, and adult life stages.Contributors Peter Higgins BVSc, MBA, Dip Ed (tert), MRCVS, FAICD, FLS: Episode Interviewer; Veterinary Surgeon, former clinician at the School of Veterinary Science at The University of Sydney, and Chair of the WSAVA Nutrition Committee. LinkedIn | ResearchGate Dr Tanya Schoeman, BVSc(Hons) MMedVet(Med) DECVIM-CA: Specialist Veterinary Physician and Royal Canin Pet and Product Science Specialist LinkedIn | Orchid This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

  3. Aug 13

    Common Client Diet Conundrums

    How can you help clients understand what is actually inside a pet food bag and safely manage home-cooked diets?  Interviewer Shalom Phiri brings together Peter Higgins and Inês Carvalho to solve everyday feeding dilemmas. First, Peter Higgins explains how to decode commercial pet food labels, discussing macronutrient quality, species-specific amino and fatty acid requirements, and how to look past product moisture to calculate true dry matter protein. Then, Inês Carvalho focuses on home cooking, discussing how to spot recipe changes over time through open questioning, and explaining a simple 90/10 rule that lets busy owners cook safely for bonding. Resources & Links WSAVA Global Nutrition CommitteeWSAVA Global Nutrition GuidelinesWSAVA Product Evaluation Questions Guide – Practical screening recommendations mentioned for helping veterinary teams and owners analyse commercial food transparency.Balance It Software – Tools for managing home-cooked formulations.ACVIM Nutrition Directory – Board-certified specialist directory mentioned for obtaining professional nutrition consultations. Contributors Shalom Phiri, BVM: Episode Interviewer; Owner and Clinician at Luderitz Veterinary Clinic, and WSAVA Education Committee member. (LinkedIn | Instagram)Peter Higgins, BVSc, MBA, Dip Ed (tert), MRCVS, FAICD, FLS: Veterinary Surgeon, former clinician at the School of Veterinary Science at The University of Sydney and Chair of the WSAVA Nutrition Committee. (LinkedIn | ResearchGate)Inês Carvalho, DVM, MSc: General Practitioner Veterinarian based in Portugal with advanced training in small animal clinical nutrition and WSAVA Nutrition Committee member. (LinkedIn | Instagram) This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

  4. Jul 30

    Supporting Clients To Navigate Nutrition

    How can veterinary teams talk to clients about online pet food trends and treats without making them feel judged? Interviewer Mohana Marathe leads a detailed discussion with Cat Henstridge and Rachel Lumbis to help clinics take back control of the food conversation. First, Cat Henstridge explores how social media algorithms play on owner guilt, explaining how fear-based online advertisements can dangerously delay sick animals from getting proper veterinary care. Then, Rachel Lumbis focuses on treats and snacks, detailing how to comfortably ask for permission to discuss food, limit extra calories to a strict 10% limit, and use specific goals to handle learned begging. Resources & Links WSAVA Global Nutrition CommitteeWSAVA Global Nutrition GuidelinesUK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) – Report an Ad – The official portal mentioned for flagging and reporting misleading or non-compliant commercial pet food marketing campaigns in the UKContributors Mohana Marathe, BVSc & AH: Episode Interviewer, Recent graduate, member of the WSAVA Education Committee, and former Cornell University Veterinary Investigator Leadership Program participant. (LinkedIn)Cat Henstridge, BVSc, MRCVS: First-opinion small animal Veterinary Surgeon, prominent clinical commentator on social media and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. (Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook)Rachel Lumbis MSc, BSc (Hons), PGCert (MedEd), CertSAN, RVN, FHEA: Postgraduate Research Student at the University of Glasgow, and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. (ORCID) This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

  5. Jul 16

    Treats and Obesity

    How can your entire veterinary team work together to treat pet obesity and prevent weight problems early in life? Interviewer Ernie Ward speaks with Rachel Lumbis and Georgia Woods-Lee about launching a successful, clinic-wide weight program. First, Rachel Lumbis shares how to make nutrition the fifth vital assessment in every consultation, train staff on common scenarios, and empower veterinary nurses to lead independent conversations. Then, Georgia Woods-Lee tackles the medical side of weight management, explaining why cutting regular food portions risks serious nutrient deficiencies, and how tracking evidence-based growth charts stops obesity early. Resources & Links WSAVA Global Nutrition CommitteeWSAVA Global Nutrition GuidelinesAssociation for Pet Obesity Prevention – Educational data, toolkits, and clinical research dedicated to pet weight management. Waltham Puppy and Kitten Growth Charts – Free, evidence-based clinical tracking tools to monitor healthy growth patterns.Contributors Ernie Ward, DVM, CVFT: Founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention and the World Pet Obesity Association. (Website | LinkedIn | Instagram)Rachel Lumbis MSc, BSc (Hons), PGCert (MedEd), CertSAN, RVN, FHEA: Postgraduate Research Student at the University of Glasgow, and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. (ORCID)Georgia Woods-Lee BSc(Hons), RVN, CertCFVHNut, VTS (Nutrition): Clinical Lead for the Obesity Care Clinic at the University of Liverpool. (LinkedIn | Instagram) This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

  6. Jul 2

    Dermatology and the Impact of Nutrition

    How much does diet truly affect chronic skin issues, and how do you run a successful food trial for an allergic pet? Interviewer Cat Henstridge sits down with veterinary dermatologists Galia Sheinberg and Meagan Painter to separate science from online myths. First, Galia Sheinberg explains that only 30% of allergic dogs react to food, notes how popular home diets can cause rare zinc and vitamin deficiencies, and looks at the limited evidence for probiotics. Then, Meagan Painter dives into atopic dermatitis management, detailing how to use prescription hydrolysed diets as strict diagnostic tools while easing owner financial and caregiving fatigue. Resources & Links WSAVA Global Nutrition CommitteeWSAVA Global Nutrition GuidelinesAAHA Allergic Skin Diseases Guidelines – Modern, evidence-based consensus roadmap for diagnosing and managing canine atopy and allergy exclusions.Probiotics Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis – Scientific evidence evaluating the limited efficacy of probiotic strains as adjuvants for canine atopy.Contributors Cat Henstridge, BVSc, MRCVS: Episode Interviewer; First-opinion small animal Veterinary Surgeon, prominent clinical commentator on social media and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. (Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook)Galia Sheinberg, MVZ, ESP. DLACVD: Veterinary Dermatology Specialist; Director and Owner of Dermatología Especializada CVM and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. (Website)Meagan Painter, DVM, DACVD: Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist and creator of The Allergic Dog™ (Website) This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

  7. Jun 18

    Nutrition for Chronic Disease

    What is the best way to use nutrition when treating pets with long-term conditions like diabetes and kidney disease? Interviewer Peter Higgins speaks with Scott Campbell and Lisa Weeth to provide a clear guide to managing these complex conditions. First, Scott Campbell focuses on stabilising diabetic pets, explaining why matching identical food portions and insulin timing is vital for dogs, and why cats require strict low-carbohydrate plans to recover. Then, Lisa Weeth looks at chronic kidney disease, explaining how to manage different stages by evaluating protein quality and showing why controlling dietary phosphorus is the true key to slowing down kidney damage. Resources & Links WSAVA Global Nutrition CommitteeWSAVA Global Nutrition GuidelinesIRIS Kidney Guidelines – Official international guidelines for staging and managing kidney disease in dogs and cats.Contributors Peter Higgins BVSc, MBA, Dip Ed (tert), MRCVS, FAICD, FLS: Episode Interviewer; Veterinary Surgeon, former clinician at the School of Veterinary Science at The University of Sydney, and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. (LinkedIn | ResearchGate)Scott Campbell, BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Small Animal Medicine), DACVIM (Nutrition): Director and Small Animal Veterinarian at Ipswich Veterinary Group, Queensland, and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member.Lisa Weeth, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition): Clinical Nutritionist with Weeth Nutrition Services and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. (Website) This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

  8. Jun 4

    Supporting Clients Feeding Non-Traditional Diets

    How can veterinary teams handle the global rise of raw and homemade diets while keeping client trust intact? In the first episode of our series on nutrition, interviewer Gregg Takashima talks with Marge Chandler and Grace Lin to look closely at non-traditional feeding trends. First, Marge Chandler discusses raw food facts, explaining why a dog's starch metabolism differs from a wolf's, and how unbalanced raw meals can cause weak bones, pathogen shedding, and antibiotic resistance. Then, Grace Lin looks at homemade diets, highlighting the hidden dangers of using artificial intelligence to write recipes for sick pets and offering practical ways to assess indoor pets while communicating kindly with anxious owners. Resources & Links WSAVA Global Nutrition CommitteeWSAVA Global Nutrition GuidelinesBalance It Formulation Service – Software mentioned for designing safe homemade recipes. University of Illinois Digestibility Study – Research mentioned regarding raw food nutrient digestibility variances. University of Liverpool Research – Study tracking antibiotic-resistant E. coli in the faeces of raw-fed pets. UK Raw Pet Food Contamination Survey – Government study tracking microbiological risks and leaky packaging in retail raw food. Contributors Gregg K. Takashima, DVM: Episode Interviewer; CEO of GKT Enterprises and retired Small Companion Animal Practitioner. (LinkedIn)Marge Chandler, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Small Animal Internal Medicine and Nutrition), MANZCVS, MRCVS: Independent Consultant in Small Animal Nutrition and Internal Medicine at Chandler Veterinary Nutrition and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member.Grace (Hsiu Chia) Lin, BVSc: Founder and Veterinary Director of AVC Veterinary Hospital (Shanghai, China), and WSAVA Nutrition Committee Member. This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

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About

Welcome to the official podcast of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, where we bring you conversations with leading veterinary experts from around the globe. Each season spotlights one WSAVA committee, sharing their knowledge, research, and insights through short, accessible interviews. Every fortnight, we speak with two experts on a shared theme, offering concise, engaging discussions designed to spark curiosity and guide you toward WSAVA’s extensive library of educational resources, webinars, and events. Hosted by WSAVA President Jim Berry, the podcast delivers focused conversations that connect you with the latest thinking in small animal medicine worldwide. You can find more educational resources from WSAVA here: https://wsava.org/education/

Information

  • Creator
    WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association)
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © WSAVA 2025
  • Show Website
    The WSAVA Podcast

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