Under the Fur is the podcast that lifts the curtain on the real world of veterinary care.
Hosted by Nessa the Vet, each episode dives into the questions pet owners really want answered, from vet bills and pet health myths to clinic life, tough decisions, and the things vets wish people understood.
Honest, practical, warm, and a little bit cheeky, this is pet care without the fluff.
Let’s go under the fur.
What if your veterinary career could flex around the life you actually want to live?
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with Amanda to talk about her journey from general practice into veterinary cardiology, while balancing part-time work, family life and a love of travel.
Amanda shares how flexible working has shaped her career, what makes veterinary cardiology so exciting, and how she has used her veterinary skills in unexpected places around the world.
Together, they discuss heart scans, interventional treatments, memorable cases and why there is more than one way to build a successful and fulfilling career in vet med.
8 Oct 2026
From burnout to joy with Jenny
What if the answer to veterinary burnout isn’t leaving the profession but changing the way you work?
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with Dr. Jenny Ellis to talk about her journey from burnout to rediscovering the parts of veterinary medicine she genuinely loves.
Jenny shares how taking a career break, embracing remote consulting and teaching, and exploring innovative treatments such as fecal microbiome transplants helped reshape her career and perspective.
Together, they discuss complex cases, collaboration, quality of life, mental health and why there may be more than one way to build a fulfilling life in vet med.
1 Oct 2026
New Grad Reality: Pressure, Mistakes and Finding Your Feet
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with new graduate vet Sasha to talk honestly about what the first year in practice really feels like.
From suddenly being responsible for cases and difficult decisions to managing exhaustion, mistakes, client relationships and life outside the clinic, Sasha shares the realities of making the jump from vet student to practising vet.
They also talk about mentorship, team support, emotional resilience and Sasha’s growing passion for orthopaedics, surgery and sport.
24 Sept 2026
Friendship, Regret and Finding Your Place in Vet Med with Jenny
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa is reunited with her best friend Jenny after eight years apart for a deeply personal conversation about friendship, veterinary medicine and the choices that shape our lives.
Jenny shares her journey from university and general practice to becoming an internal medicine specialist, opening up about finding her place in the profession, the emotional realities of veterinary work and how her perspective on difficult cases has changed over time.
Between career reflections, university memories and plenty of laughter, Vanessa and Jenny also talk honestly about distance, missed moments and the kind of friendship that survives different countries, different careers and years apart.
17 Sept 2026
She Traded London for the Wild with Kelly
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with Kelly to talk about the extraordinary journey that took her from working as a crime analyst with the Met Police to guiding safaris in South Africa.
Kelly shares what it was really like to leave city life behind, train as a field guide, work around wild animals and experience everything from elephant charges to the complicated realities of wildlife conservation.
Now back in the UK and building a career in dog behaviour, she reflects on how life in the African bush changed the way she understands animals, risk and the relationship between humans and the natural world.
10 Sept 2026
The Dog We Couldn’t Give Up On — with Helen
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with Helen to talk about the reality of living with, training and understanding dogs with very different personalities and needs.
Helen shares the story of Ellie, a cocker spaniel with complex behavioural challenges, and the emotional journey of managing aggression, medication, training, mental stimulation and difficult decisions around rehoming.
Together, they explore why behaviour is never one-size-fits-all, how scent work and enrichment can transform a dog’s life, and why patience, support and understanding are so important when caring for a dog who needs more.
3 Sept 2026
Dogs, Fear and Honest Opinions — with Ify
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa takes a slightly different turn and sits down with Ify, a friend who does not work in the veterinary industry, does not own pets, and has a very honest relationship with animals: mostly fear, suspicion and strong personal boundaries.
From growing up in Nigeria, where animals often had a job rather than a place on the sofa, to childhood dog fears, kangaroo encounters, off-lead dog chaos and the confusing world of British pet culture, Ify brings a hilarious and refreshingly honest outsider perspective.
Together, Vanessa and Ify explore fear, culture, pet ownership, animal behaviour and why not everyone automatically wants a dog licking their face.
27 Aug 2026
Saving Pet Sight: Veterinary Ophthalmology with Dr. John Burgess
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. John Burgess to explore the world of animal eye care.
From dry eye and glaucoma to breed-related eye problems and advanced surgeries like corneal and conjunctival grafts, Dr. Burgess explains what pet owners and vets need to know when eye problems appear.
Together, they discuss the importance of acting quickly, making specialist care more accessible, and how innovation, collaboration and early diagnosis can help protect pets’ sight.
20 Aug 2026
Ned’s Rescue Story: Training, Trust and Recovery with Lindsay
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with Lindsay to talk about her journey rescuing Ned, a high-energy dog with a complex past and an even more complicated medical history.
From his background as a drug detection dog trained in prison to major surgery, recovery, physiotherapy and behaviour work, Lindsay shares what it really takes to support a rescue dog through pain, training and healing.
Together, they explore the power of trust, consistency and veterinary care, and how one dog can completely change your life.
13 Aug 2026
Why Burnout in Vet Med Is a Corporate Problem, Not Personal Failure with Sophie
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with Sophie to share her powerful journey through mental health challenges, cancer treatment and advocacy within the veterinary profession.
Sophie opens up about resilience, support networks, suicide prevention and the moments that shaped her decision to keep going.
Together, they discuss why mental health needs to be spoken about more openly in vet med, and why real change requires not just individual strength, but better systems, stronger communities and more compassionate support.
6 Aug 2026
Ethics, Welfare and the Future of Vet Med with Dr. Caroline Allen
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with Dr. Caroline Allen to talk about veterinary ethics, animal welfare, second opinions and what truly compassionate care looks like.
Drawing on her extensive experience in veterinary medicine, Caroline discusses the importance of specialisation, multidisciplinary care, animal behaviour, welfare science and supporting owners through difficult decisions.
Together, they explore the challenges facing the profession, from client trust and breed-specific issues to euthanasia and end-of-life care, asking what it really means to put the animal’s quality of life first.
30 Jul 2026
Can Better Leadership Save Vet Med? - With Chris White
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with Chris White, Operations and Development Director of the Veterinary Management Group, to talk about leadership, culture and retention in veterinary medicine.
Chris shares his insights on what makes a good veterinary leader, why self-awareness matters, and how practices can better support their teams in a changing profession.
Together, they discuss generational shifts, workplace wellbeing, professional development and why leadership in vet med is not just about managing people, but understanding what keeps them motivated, valued and connected to their purpose.
23 Jul 2026
How Alfie Built His Own Path in Vet Med
In Episode 7 of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with veterinarian Alfie to talk about the unexpected paths that can lead into veterinary medicine.
From studying Bio Veterinary Science to completing his veterinary degree in Slovakia, Alfie shares how taking a non-traditional route shaped his confidence, adaptability and perspective as a vet.
Together, they discuss the importance of mentorship, community, hands-on experience and the realities of opening a veterinary practice, offering an honest look at what it takes to grow from student to practitioner and eventually practice owner.
16 Jul 2026
How Veterinary Physiotherapy Transforms Pet Recovery — with Lucy Walsh
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with veterinary physiotherapist Lucy Walsh to explore how animal rehabilitation can transform recovery, comfort and quality of life.
Lucy shares her journey into veterinary physiotherapy, how treatments can support pets with arthritis, IVDD, mobility issues and age-related pain, and why collaboration between vets, physios and pet owners is so important.
Together, they discuss practical ways owners can spot discomfort, support aging pets at home, and understand the growing role of physiotherapy, holistic care and regenerative therapies in modern veterinary medicine.
9 Jul 2026
What Vet Nurses Really See — with Callum Marshall
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with veterinary nurse Callum Marshall to talk about the reality of life on the frontlines of veterinary care.
From shelter medicine and emergency night shifts to unpredictable cases, high-pressure decisions and the chaos that never makes it to the waiting room, Callum shares what it really takes to be a veterinary nurse.
A raw, funny and honest look at the people holding vet med together behind the scenes.
6 Jul 2026
The Future of Vet Med with Ben Jacklin
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with Ben Jacklin, CEO of Medivet UK, to talk about leadership, culture, and the future of veterinary practice.
From his journey as an equine vet to leading one of the UK’s major veterinary groups, Ben shares what he has learned about building teams, supporting veterinary professionals, and creating practices where people actually want to stay.
Together, they discuss the pressures facing the profession, the role of corporate ownership, and why better leadership, stronger culture, and a renewed sense of purpose may be key to helping vet med thrive again.
26 Jun 2026
Loving a Broken Breed: Claire’s Story of Pugs, Care and Grief
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with Claire Balla, a pet owner, former pet shop owner, dog groomer and trainer, to talk about the complicated love that comes with caring for pugs and other brachycephalic breeds.
Claire shares her experience of rescuing and loving pugs with chronic health problems, from breathing struggles and mobility issues to eye ulcers, vet bills, daily care and the heartbreak of knowing when it is time to say goodbye.
Together, they explore why we fall so deeply in love with these “broken breeds,” the health problems humans have bred into them, and why loving an animal sometimes means facing very hard truths.
18 Jun 2026
When Vet Med Breaks You - Sarah’s Story of Burnout, Self-Trust and Finding Hope
What happens when the dream career you worked so hard for starts breaking you?
In this episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with fellow veterinarian Sarah, founder of Positivity in Practice, to talk honestly about vet school, burnout, mental health, leaving clinical practice, and finding a new purpose in helping veterinary professionals rebuild their confidence and self-trust.
Together, they open up about the pressure of becoming a vet, the lack of support many new graduates face, the emotional toll of clinical practice, and why the veterinary industry still has hope if real change happens from both the ground up and the top down.
10 Jun 2026
When Love Means Letting Go: Mel’s Story of Loss, Guilt and Friendship
In this heartfelt episode of Under the Fur, Dr. Vanessa sits down with Mel for an honest conversation about the love, guilt and grief that can come with caring for an unwell pet.
Mel shares Harper’s story, from the first signs of decline to the painful decision to say goodbye. Together, they talk about the emotional and financial weight of pet care, the guilt many owners carry after euthanasia, and why open communication with your vet can make such a difference during the hardest moments.
This episode is also a reminder of the power of friendship, support and trusting your gut when making decisions for the animals we love most.
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
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