Speak Easy is the definitive podcast for veterinary professionals, hosted by Lacey Sanchez Rodriguez and Karla Borland.
Each episode features specialist guests who provide deep dives into the medical and surgical topics that matter most to the industry. From advanced surgical techniques to everyday nursing excellence, the show brings together leading experts to explore the nuances of modern veterinary medicine and clinical application.
Euthanasia and Compassionate End-of-Life Care with Lara Wilson, Regional Clinical Lead and RCVS Council Member
Karla and Lacey are joined by Lara Wilson, Regional Clinical Lead and newly elected RCVS Council member, to explore the importance of animal welfare, compassionate euthanasia and supporting pet owners through difficult decisions.
Drawing on over 30 years in veterinary practice, Lara discusses the changing expectations of pet owners, navigating conversations about treatment options and costs, and why euthanasia should be recognised as a positive welfare outcome rather than a failure of treatment.
Lara also shares her perspective on the emotional challenges of end-of-life care, the importance of supporting both clients and veterinary teams, and her ambitions for improving professional standards through her work on RCVS Council.
21 Oct 2026
Ophthalmology in General Practice: Eye Examinations and Common Conditions with Priya Puranik, Regional Clinical Lead
Karla and Lacey are joined by Priya Puranik, Regional Clinical Lead with a special interest in ophthalmology, to explore how to approach eye conditions in general practice with greater confidence.
Priya shares her systematic approach to ophthalmic examinations, from history-taking and initial observations to essential diagnostic tests and equipment. She discusses common presentations including corneal ulcers, glaucoma and feline eosinophilic keratitis, highlighting the importance of recognising emergencies and knowing when further intervention is needed.
Drawing on her experience supporting veterinary teams, Priya also offers practical advice on managing follow-up appointments, developing clinical skills and the valuable role veterinary nurses can play in ophthalmic assessments and ongoing patient care.
14 Oct 2026
From Rabbits to Reptiles: Managing Exotic Patients in General Practice with Jemma Hildrew, Exotics Clinical Advisory Lead
In this week's episode of Speak Easy, Karla and Lacey are joined by Jemma Hildrew, Clinical Director and Exotics Clinical Advisory Lead, to explore the challenges and rewards of treating exotic animals in general practice.
Jemma shares practical advice on approaching unfamiliar species, from the importance of detailed husbandry histories and species-specific equipment to recognising emergencies in rabbits, birds and reptiles. She discusses useful diagnostic tools, including blood glucose testing in rabbits, and explains when to seek additional support or refer a patient.
Drawing on her extensive experience in exotic animal medicine, Jemma also highlights the importance of building confidence, using the skills veterinary professionals already have and embracing opportunities to expand their clinical knowledge. Her message is simple: you don't need to know everything to make a difference to an exotic patient's care.
9 Oct 2026
The Itchy Dog: Diagnosis and Management with Natalie Barnard, Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology
In this week's episode of Speak Easy, Karla and Lacey are joined by Natalie Barnard, Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology at Bristol Veterinary Specialists, to tackle one of the most common challenges in general practice: the itchy dog.
Natalie explains how to take a systematic approach to investigating pruritus, from ruling out parasites and infections to distinguishing between food and environmental allergies. She explores the importance of skin cytology, the limitations of allergy testing and the latest treatment options, including Cytopoint, JAK inhibitors and immunotherapy.
Natalie also shares practical advice on managing client expectations, improving long-term outcomes and the valuable role veterinary nurses can play in dermatology diagnostics and ongoing patient care.
30 Sept 2026
Diagnosing and Managing Lower Back Pain in Dogs with Colin Driver, Specialist in Neurology
Karla and Lacey welcome you back to the Speak Easy podcast as we kick off Series 2 with Colin Driver, Specialist in Neurology, discussing lower back pain in dogs.
Colin explores the challenges of recognising and diagnosing spinal pain, with a particular focus on degenerative lumbosacral stenosis. He shares practical guidance on clinical assessment, imaging, and treatment options, and discusses the pioneering minimally invasive endoscopic spinal surgery he is performing at Lumbry Park, which aims to reduce tissue disruption, post-operative pain, and recovery time.
29 Jun 2026
Getting to Know Our Hosts, Karla Borland and Lacey Sanchez Rodriguez
In this special episode, the tables are turned as regular hosts Karla Borland and Lacey Sanchez Rodriguez sit down with Sarah Rutherford to share their own remarkable stories. Karla reveals her journey from a dairy farm in Northern Ireland to becoming a specialist anaesthetist and clinical director, including the surreal reality of living with an Olympic gold-medal-winning husband. Lacey opens up about her path from a Southeast London council estate to Regional Director, discussing how she navigated career-changing moments of fate, overcame imposter syndrome, and found a new identity after surgery forced her to leave horse riding behind. From the high-stakes "hostage negotiations" of a busy surgical theatre to being the reigning champion of the cereal box game, get to know the women behind the microphones in this candid and inspiring conversation.
17 Jun 2026
Navigating the Complexities of FIP Diagnosis and Antiviral Therapies with Sam Taylor, Specialist in Feline Internal Medicine
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) used to be a devastating, 100% fatal diagnosis. Today, it is a condition with a 90% cure rate. In this clinically focused episode, Specialist in Feline Internal Medicine Sam Taylor takes us through one of the most remarkable medical breakthroughs in veterinary history. We dive deep into the pathogenesis of FIP, exploring how a ubiquitous feline coronavirus mutates to replicate within macrophages and trigger severe systemic inflammation.
The discussion breaks down the diagnostic puzzle, explaining why the traditional "wet and dry" distinctions are becoming outdated, why practitioners should rethink reliance on coronavirus serology, and how to diagnose FIP in general practice. We also explore the incredible story of how human antiviral research paved the way for legal, highly effective veterinary treatments. Whether you are navigating complex neurological presentations, deciphering haematology panels, or managing 84-day antiviral courses, this episode is packed with essential feline medicine takeaways.
11 Jun 2026
Redefining Palliative Care: Why It Doesn't Mean 'Giving Up' with Nina Vigevani, Veterinary Oncologist
A cancer diagnosis no longer means an immediate loss of hope, but when curative treatments aren't an option, how do we best support our patients and their owners? In this clinically focused episode, Veterinary Oncologist Nina Vigevani from Chestergates and Vet Oracle Telemedicine challenges the misconception that palliative care means "giving up." Instead, she explains how it is a dynamic spectrum of care aimed at maximising a patient's quality of life.
The discussion explores the clinical applications of palliative radiotherapy and metronomic chemotherapy to reduce tumour burden with minimal side effects, as well as the importance of multimodal analgesia and nausea management. Nina also shares practical strategies for the whole veterinary team; from using positive reinforcement to reduce clinic anxiety, to encouraging owners to keep "Good Day/Bad Day" quality-of-life diaries. Finally, the episode covers how to navigate complex end-of-life discussions, emphasising that when it comes to terminal illness, it is always better to be a week too early than a day too late.
1 Jun 2026
Protecting Patients and the Planet: A Responsible Approach to Flea and Tick Treatments with Lizzie McLennan-Green, Companion Animal Vet Director
For decades, routine monthly parasite treatments have been the gold standard for preventative care, but the veterinary landscape is evolving. In this clinically focused episode, Companion Animal Vet Director Lizzie McLennan-Green discusses the emerging evidence of parasiticide active ingredients entering our waterways and the profession's responsibility to balance optimal patient welfare with environmental health.
We explore the practicalities of moving away from a "one-size-fits-all" prescribing model by implementing a parasite lifestyle risk assessment into busy practice workflows—distinguishing the indoor "homebodies" from the adventurous "snack-seeking sniffers." Lizzie also tackles the logistical challenges of "test and treat" protocols, how to successfully re-educate clients who expect monthly treatments, and how schemes like the Healthy Pet Club are adapting to provide truly personalized, responsible care.
26 May 2026
Surgical vs. Medical Management: Navigating IVDD Treatment Paths with Jeremy Rose, Head of Neurology
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is one of the most common neurological emergencies in small animal practice, yet it remains a complex umbrella term covering everything from acute extrusions to fibrocartilaginous embolisms. In this clinical episode, Jeremy Rose, Head of Neurology at Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, joins the podcast to provide a comprehensive roadmap for managing the spinal patient.
We dive into the clinical nuances of IVDD, including the importance of onset and progression history, the "red flag" breeds like French Bulldogs, and the critical role of the Modified Frankel Score in determining surgical candidacy. Jeremy discusses the harrowing reality of progressive myelomalacia, the evidence-based move away from high-dose corticosteroids and why maintaining blood pressure is vital for the injured spinal cord. The discussion also covers advanced diagnostics (MRI vs. CT), recurrence data, and the exciting potential of Percutaneous Laser Disc Ablation (PLDA) as a minimally invasive preventative. Most importantly, Jeremy reminds us why there is "always hope" with IVDD, offering encouragement for both surgical and conservative management routes.
18 May 2026
Pelvic Limb Lameness and Cruciate Disease with Ben Keeley, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Clinical Director
Pelvic limb lameness is a staple of veterinary practice, yet identifying the subtle difference between normal and a significant surgical pathology can be a clinical challenge. In this episode, Ben Keeley, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Clinical Director at Manchester Veterinary Specialists, joins the podcast to provide a masterclass in orthopaedic assessment.
Ben challenges the traditional view of Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) rupture as a purely traumatic event, exploring why it is actually a chronic, benign degenerative process. Ben shares practical tips for the consultation room - from using "black box" muscle mass palpation to determine chronicity, to why dropping the head acts as a "pivot on a seesaw" to offload painful hind limbs. The discussion covers the clinical indications for TPLO and TTA over traditional lateral suture techniques, the nuances of radiographic positioning, and why modern human-medicine-inspired "rapid rehab" is replacing 12-week crate rest. No matter where you are in your career journey this episode is packed with orthopaedic goodies to assist you in day to day practice.
7 May 2026
Heart Murmurs in Dogs and Cats with Liz Bode, Specialist in Cardiology
A heart murmur is often the first red flag of underlying cardiac disease, but not all "whooshing" sounds are created equal. In this clinical episode, Cardiology Specialist Liz Bode from Chestergates Veterinary Specialists joins the podcast to demystify heart murmurs in small animals. She explains the physiological differences between feline and canine murmurs, why cats "make their own rules," and how to accurately grade murmurs from one to six.
The discussion covers essential diagnostic protocols, including when to prioritize echocardiography over thoracic radiographs and how to effectively utilize cardiac biomarkers like NT-proBNP and Troponin I. Liz also shares invaluable tips for the whole veterinary team; from identifying clinical "flags" like gallop rhythms and arrhythmias to coaching owners on the importance of tracking resting respiratory rates at home. Whether you are managing a Cavalier with mitral valve disease or a Maine Coon with suspected HCM, this episode provides a comprehensive guide to navigating heart disease from initial auscultation to long-term preclinical management.
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