Q: Can you share with us the highlights of your career journey leading up to your role as an anaesthesia specialist at Blaise Veterinary Referral Hospital as well as a speaker at the BVA Live 2024 event?

A: To be honest, I've enjoyed my entire journey leading up to my current role. I began in first-opinion mixed practice for a couple of years, followed by an anaesthesia internship and residency. My residency at the RVC was particularly enjoyable. Afterward, I spent four years at Fitzpatrick Referrals, where I got my diploma. Working there significantly boosted my confidence and eventually led me to head up the practice. However, I've had to leave due to geographical reasons. Returning to Birmingham has been exciting, especially working in a brand-new hospital. Overall, it's been a fulfilling journey.

Q: Reflecting on your career thus far, what achievements or milestones are you most proud of and why?

A: I think my biggest achievement, which I'll always be most proud of, is obtaining my diploma. I’ve worked towards it for over four years, and facing that exam was the most stressful experience. When I found out I passed the exam on the first attempt, it felt incredibly rewarding and it has been my greatest accomplishment.

Q: Your upcoming lecture at BVA Live 2024, titled ‘Just block it - A simple guide to useful local blocks in practice’ will explore how local regional anaesthetic techniques can be integrated into the anaesthetic protocol. Why do you consider this topic crucial for the veterinary community?

A: Local anaesthetics are the only drugs capable of causing true pain blockage. They're the only way we can actually stop a patient completely feeling any painful injury. Therefore, without feeling the painful injury, patients are spared from the negative impacts and side effects associated with such trauma. Therefore, I’m trying to promote veterinarians not to question when to utilise these low kinetic techniques but learn how they can incorporate it into every single protocol. With my lecture I want to give them the confidence and empower them to do these blocks day-to-day.

Q: Could you provide a brief summary of your lecture's content and learning outcomes?

A: My lecture will cover all the most common blocks encountered in practice. I'll delve into dental blocks, which are very useful, as well as blocks for routine procedures such as castration and ovariectomy. I’ll also discuss things like epidurals, and potentially some of the more complex blocks.

As for learning outcomes, I’m hoping that attendees will understand how the most common local anaesthetic agents work and learn how to perform the most common local anaesthetic techniques in a range of clinical scenarios. The ultimate aim is to reduce the risk of potential complications associated with local anaesthetic blocks.

Q: Finally, what piece of advice would you like to give individuals that are at the start of their veterinary career?

A: Firstly, take your time and don't feel rushed during consultations. Also, seek advice from people you trust and utilise resources in any way you can. Remember to reflect on cases and ensure you learn from them.

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