Veterinary Resources to get you through Lock Down

We are living in unprecedented times, and its affecting us all in different ways.

For many in the veterinary profession, if we’re not run off our feet dealing with emergencies in clinic, we’re stuck at home in self isolation or quarantine. Many professionals have had their shifts cancelled, some clinics have closed, and students are having to attend lectures by distance.

So what are we going to do with all that time at home?

For one, if you can, relax! Vets and vet nurses tend to be high achievers, and have a hard time switching off. So don’t be ashamed to take a day off. Take a bath, watch a silly movie, bake a cake, and take some time for those hobbies that you’ve neglected since before you started vet school.

And after that- check out this extensive list of veterinary resources to keep you sane during lockdown!

Compiled by members of the online veterinary community, this extensive list features podcasts to inspire you, online veterinary resources to teach you, and even veterinary comedy sites for when you need a giggle.

Would you like to make an addition to the Veterinary Resource list? Just send me a message on the contact me page or on my instagram @the_runaway_vet.

This list was built by us, for us, so any suggestions are gratefully accepted!

Veterinary Podcasts

Podcasts are a great way to learn, not only about the clinical side of veterinary medicine, but about the diverse and interesting niches of the profession too. Take a listen to the ones below to brighten even the darkest days of lockdown.

• Radio Vet Nurse– Hosted by the incredible Australian vet nurse Cat Robinson, The Radio Vet Nurse Podcast tells the incredible stories of a range of amazing vet nurses and techs as they share their passion for the field.
• Blunt Dissection Podcast– In this entertaining podcast, Dr Dave Nicol chats with some of the incredible minds of veterinary medicine (and beyond) to tease out the habits, routines and thought processes behind their success.
• That Vet Life– Interviews and behind the scenes looks at life as a student at the Edinburgh (Dick) Vet School.
• VetChat– A new podcast that explores current issues in Vetmed, from imposter sydrome to sustainability, by the team at The Webinar Vet.
• How to be SuperHuman– RedBull’s latest podcast featuring a range of incredible humans, hosted by ultra-marathon running British vet Rob Pope.
• DVM Divas– A team of kick-ass veterinary women explore the hot topics of vet med, from networking, managing the generation gap and succeeding in your career as a mother.
• ECC SmallTalk– Accessible clinical podcasts on a range of Emergency and Critical Care topics
• The Vet Vault– Dr Gerardo Poli and Dr Hubert Hiemstra host inspiring interviews with well-known vets from around the world
• Vet Girl On The Run– Bite size clinical podcast for busy vets on a range of topics so you can get your CPD hours ‘on the run’.
• The Derm Vet Podcast– Dr Ashley Bourgeois shares tips on dermatology work-ups, while sharing her journey of building a great career alongside having a young family.
• Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast– Hosted by Dr Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor RVT, The veterinary viewfinder tackles the tough and controversial topics of vetmed each week.
• Thrive DVM– The Thrive DVM podcast equips veterinary women to thrive in both their careers and personal lives, covering topics from resilience, to rest to work-life balance.
• RVC Podcast– Practical clinical discussions on a range of topics with the Clinicians of the Royal Veterinary College in London.
• Vet Med Afterhours– Chatting about the realities of veterinary medicine and sharing the stories of the everyday superheroes that make up the veterinary profession.

Online Veterinary Learning Resources

It can be difficult to find reliable veterinary resources online, especially during lockdown when you can’t access your clinic or university library. Here’s a collection of handy online resource for reference and Continuing Education (aka. CPD) that our community recommends.

• MSD Veterinary Manual– An free online veterinary medicine textbook, with a rundown of most of the diseases you’ll encounter in consult.
• EClinPath– A fantastic veterinary pathology resource, which is great to have on hand when interpreting clinical tests in house.
• Plumbs’ Veterinary Drug Handbook– A complete online formulary of veterinary drugs, that also has its own phone app.
• VetCLOUD Facebook Group– This closed facebook group was set up by Aussie vets to support vet students who have had their classes and rotations cancelled due to COVID-19. The group posts cases for students to work through together, as well as offering support to those that need it.
• Lou the Vet Nurse.com– Lou’s Website features lectures and webinars aimed at vet nurses, as well as downloads to help you up your anaesthesia game.
• Vet Girl on the Run– Provides dynamic CPD options for busy vets and nurses with a monthly subscription.
• The Webinar Vet– Range of reasonably priced and free bundles of Webinar CPD hours, covering everything from farm practice, to ECC to exotics and plenty in between.
• Dechra Academy– Decra Academy- Limited number of free online webinars for Vets and Vet Nurses that discuss complex diseases relating to Dechra products, like diabetes and Cushing’s disease.
• The Vet Grad.com– Provideds links to dozens of free webinars aimed at new and recent graduates on a range of topics.
• BSAVA.com– The British Small Animal Veterinary Association website features hours of CPD, including webinars that can be accessed on demand and are free for students.
• Recover Initiative– Online training certificates in Veterinary CPR (free for vet students who have had classes cancelled)
• Veterinary Information Network (VIN)– A huge online database of all things veterinary, from professional education, to clinical discussion forums and links to academic journals. Students can join for free.
• Clinician’s Breif– Online continuing education resource on a range of small animal veterinary topics, with free content for those who create an online account.
• Wiley Online Library– A huge compendium of academic papers, which can be accessed for free by students.
• The Dog’s Trust.com– Tons of resources for owners and vets about dog behaviour, training, and noise desensitisation. A wonderful starting place for any GP behavioural issues that you’re uncertain how to address.
• Veterinary Mentor Solutions (VMS)- Free informative videos tackling common clinical presentations aimed at supporting new graduate vets in the early days of practice
• VP Next Gen- Website aimed at the next generation of veterinary professionals with podcasts, blog post and Q&As with a range of vets.
• Veterinarios en Web– A veterinary learning resource for our spanish speaking colleagues
• WSAVA– The World Small Animal Veterinary Association shares tons of resourves including global guidelines on welfare and vaccinations, and recordings from their annual congress.
• Think Anaesthesia Jurox provides free webinars to help veterinary staff improve their anaesthesia knowledge, and gain some continued education points in the process!

Veterinary Comedy and Entertainment

Veterinary Professionals love to laugh at themselves and the crazy situations we regularly end up in. Check out these sites and social media accounts that entertain us, and help us explore the lighter side of veterinary medicine.

• Ted Morris- Veterinary Stand Up– Did you know there’s a stand-up comedian that used to be a vet? Check out Ted’s awesome comedy on youtube, or if you’re in Canada, watch out for his next tour.
• Vet Tech Kelsey– Singer and songwriter of hits including “What’s on my scrubs” and “Your Dog Ate Weed”, Kelsey brings joy throught the relatable moments of the veterinary life. Find her on facebook and instagram @vettechkelsey
• VetMedKid on Youtube– Vet student Lianne documents the challenges and successes of her studies at the University of Queensland, offering tips and plenty of laughs along the way.
• Cody Creelman Cow Vet on Youtube– Dr Creelman shares his hilarious and sometimes poignant daily adventures as a cattle vet in Canada. Join the palpation nation!
• Vet Tails’ Sailing Chuffed on Youtube– Join Captain and Aussie Veterinarian Dr Sheridan on her adventures sailing the world and providing free veterinary treatment to the remote communities that she encounters.
• A Sustainable Life Website– The sustainable(ish) movement was founded by British Veterinarian, Jen Gale, and features online guides, podcasts and a book on making your life more sustainable. Its definitely worth checking out!
• Adventures Veterinary Comics Instagram– Clever commentary on the struggles of vet med in comic form. Find them on instagram @adventuresveterinary
• The Abscess Collection on Instagram– Vets are into some weird stuff, and this collection of crazy animal abscesses being expressed is no exception. Find Dr Gerard’s #theabscesscollection at @gerard_the_vet on instagram
• Overheard Vet Instagram– Submissions from veterinary hospitals worldwide, highlighting the hilarious and often ridiculous conversations we hold at work. Find them on instagram @overheardvet
• Shit You Hear At Vet School Instagram– If there’s one place crazier than a vet hospital, its vet school. Laugh and cry at these awesome overheard quotes on instagram @shityouhearatvetschool
• That Awkward Vet Situation Instagram for plenty of jokes and memes @thatawkwardvetsituation
• The Raptured Spleen Facebook Page– Topical veterinary satire at its best, make sure you give the Spleen team a follow.
• Veterinary Humour Facebook Page- Jokes and memes about the highs and lows of veterinary life.
• Veterinary WTF Moments Facebook Page– Making light of the eccentricities we encounter in veterinary hospitals, with submissions welcome.
• For any Italian speakers, @leishmeme, @vetrinai and @veterinariadelsuicidio also have plenty of funny comics and memes on their instagram pages.

• 

• 

• 

Further Information

Thanks for reading! If you’ve found this list of veterinary resources helpful, please share it with your friends- you never know who might need a lock down pick-me-up.

This is a dynamic list, and its updated daily with your suggestions. So please keep sending your favourites veterinary resources in via my contact page or my instagram @the_runaway_vet.

If this is your first time here, check out the rest of the site– its all about travelling, volunteering and working internationally as a vet. There’s plenty more to see, so take a look!