If vet visits stress your dog out, this conversation will show you a calmer, kinder way to access trusted veterinary care.

Nathan is joined by Dr Charlotte Gray, qualified vet and founder of Vetsy, the online vet consultation service. Charlotte explains how video vet consults work, who they help most — anxious dogs, busy households, guardians with mobility challenges, and anyone wanting an affordable second opinion — and how to prepare your dog for stress-free vet visits with early desensitisation and happy visits.

A practical, reassuring listen for every dog guardian.

In this episode:

✅ What actually happens in an online vet consult — from visual exams to gait analysis and aftercare plans

✅ Why online vets complement (not replace) your regular practice, and how they keep your vet in the loop

✅ How to desensitise your puppy or rescue dog to handling at home, nose to tail

✅ Why "happy visits" to the clinic build lifelong confidence — and how to do them

✅ How your own anxiety affects your dog at the vet, and simple ways to stay calm

✅ The "they're just getting old" myth — and the subtle signs of chronic pain guardians often miss

✅ Why preventative care like dental brushing and weight management saves money and heartache later

Key takeaways:

• Online consults suit chronic pet care, pain management, skin issues, second opinions, and anxious dogs — not emergencies

• Vetsy's promise: if an appointment isn't right for your pet, it's cancelled and refunded, and you're sent straight to your clinic

• Five minutes of gentle handling practice a week — paws, ears, mouth, tail — makes vet and groomer visits dramatically easier

• Dogs read our stress; calming yourself (try box breathing) directly helps them cope

• Stiffness, hesitating at stairs, or reluctance to jump into the car are signs of pain, not "just age" — speak to your vet

• Be open and honest with your vet; if you can't have frank conversations, it may be time to find one you can

Visit the Vetsy website

🐾 Subscribe to The Yappy Hour for more conversations that help you understand, connect with, and care for your dog.

🐕 Find ethical and qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily.co.uk

Welcome back to The Yappy

Hour, powered by Yappily.

2

I am Nathan Dunleavy, and this is the

podcast where we celebrate life with dogs

3

and learn from people who care for them,

love them, and sometimes speak up for them

4

in ways we, who us humans need to hear.

5

Now, today's guest is someone I'm

really excited to have with us, Dr.

6

Charlotte Gray.

7

She's part of Vetsy,

the online vet service.

8

Making it easier than ever for pet

parents to access trusted advice.

9

Whether you've got a nervous pup who

finds the vet visit overwhelming, or

10

you just want to nip these worries

in the bud before they snowball.

11

Charlotte's here to show

us how veterinary care.

12

Doesn't have to be stressful.

13

We'll be diving into the benefits

of online vet consults, how we can

14

prepare our dogs for vet visits

with less anxiety, and why early

15

positive experiences matter so much.

16

It's going to be a really practical

and reassuring chat, so grab a cup of

17

tea, settle in, and let's get started.

18

Okay.

19

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Welcome back to The Yappy

20

Hour, powered by Yappily.

21

I'm your host, Nathan Dunleavy,

and I'm so excited to bring you

22

another episode of the Yappy Hour.

23

Today.

24

Joining me is Dr.

25

Charlotte Gray from Vetsy.

26

Welcome, Charlotte.

27

How are you doing?

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Charlotte Gray: Thank you.

29

I'm very well, thank you.

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How are you?

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Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Very well.

32

Very well as well.

33

Yeah, I'm all good.

34

Thank you.

35

So Charlotte's actually over

in Dubai, so there's a bit

36

of a time difference as well.

37

So appreciate you coming

on with me this evening.

38

It's actually nighttime here

as well, so, I do really

39

appreciate you coming on right.

40

So.

41

Let's get going then.

42

So, I'm gonna start Charlotte

with a slightly cheeky one,

43

but did you grow up as a kid?

44

Always want to be a vet or

did that passion come later?

45

Charlotte Gray: No, I

definitely, I definitely did.

46

I knew from a very young age that

I wanted to be a better, I was in a

47

family full of pets and I was always

the one bringing home the waists

48

and strays and always trying to

do my little bit with all of them.

49

So yeah, it was, it was

decided at pretty early age.

50

I was gonna do, I think I started like

work in clinics, like work experience and

51

like cleaning up kennels and that stuff.

52

Probably about 10 or 11.

53

And then I've basically been in.

54

And everything got phoned into

going into that direction.

55

So yeah, it just naturally was

always on the cards for me.

56

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, I love that.

57

Thank you.

58

So let's move on then to a little

bit about your journey, Charlotte.

59

So, I think you've kind of touched on it

a little bit there anyway, but what drew

60

you into veterinary care in the first

place after obviously, you know, having

61

with all the wafer strays and stuff.

62

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, I mean, that was it.

63

I think I I was growing up, I

actually grew up in, over in the

64

Middle East and so I was exposed.

65

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, okay.

66

Charlotte Gray: Of strays.

67

There's a lot of stray cats here.

68

And it was just constantly,

there was like always a need.

69

And I'd always said, I was like, I need to

get back out and work out there and do all

70

my bits out there trying to help them all.

71

So it was always my

dream to kind of do that.

72

And it was always the plan to do that.

73

And essentially, It was just a no brainer.

74

I just, I couldn't actually

see myself doing anything else.

75

And then as I got, as I like, got through

levels and kind of did the A Levels

76

gccs, everything was science based.

77

I really liked medicine.

78

I love surgery.

79

So the idea of doing that, it just

became more and more the field for me.

80

And.

81

Essentially, I don't

think I could do humans

82

more easier to work with.

83

So yeah, I think it was just, it

was just naturally going to happen.

84

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh wow.

85

And I mean it's quite a, quite a

big thing going into vet school.

86

'cause aren't you there like

five years or something?

87

And then,

88

Charlotte Gray: the UK

it's a five year course.

89

It

90

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.

91

Charlotte Gray: and yeah, you still

feel like a little, little baby

92

bird by the time you actually leave.

93

But yeah.

94

it's, it's, I mean it's, it seems

like ages ago now when I was at the

95

front of vegetable, but it is a five

96

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

97

Oh wow, that's a long time.

98

But like you say, it goes fast.

99

Okay, so moving on to our next question.

100

Thanks for that, Charlotte.

101

So what excites you about combining

traditional vet knowledge with new ways

102

of delivering it, like online consults?

103

Charlotte Gray: so I mean it ha in

human medicine it's quite common to do

104

video consultations or tele triage and

it is becoming something that's more

105

common in veterinary medicine as well.

106

So it is still quite new.

107

we're always a little bit

behind human medicine generally.

108

But kind of the options available at the

moment typically tend to be like a video

109

vet service for out of hours care or if

you like, through insurance companies,

110

but there isn't really anything.

111

More than that.

112

So they, although they can offer you

the advice and say, yeah, that is

113

an emergency, you need to be seen.

114

There really wasn't anything more that

can actually just support pet's ongoing.

115

And so, Yeah.

116

we wanted to create

something that could do that.

117

And essentially we see ourselves

like an online practice where we

118

can offer that advice, offer that

guidance, discuss cases, continue

119

to see the same cases, not just be

a one-off randomly in a call center.

120

And that.

121

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

122

Charlotte Gray: know, of the, the benefit

being that if we are in a position needing

123

to, we could offer you prescriptions for

treatments as well, should it be needed.

124

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

125

So I mean, I love Vetsy.

126

Obviously you are my vet and,

and Vetsy and you've helped

127

me with a few of my gangs.

128

So, yeah, I absolutely love

what, what you are doing.

129

I think it's brilliant.

130

So Charlotte, Vetsy, what is

the mission behind it all?

131

Charlotte Gray: Yeah.

132

so when we originally came

up with the idea, I mean,

133

essentially what I wanted was to.

134

It was planned for really

the busy household.

135

So the busy pet parent who's got the

full-time job and kids and whatever,

136

and just can't find the time to

get in between the kind of classic

137

eight till seven of a vet clinic.

138

And often, and I know myself and I've

always put my hands towards a pet

139

owner, I would find it if I wasn't

a vet really hard to get into a vet

140

clinic, just it would be weekends.

141

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

142

Charlotte Gray: probably always

having to be out of hours 'cause

143

I haven't, haven't found the time.

144

So that was what I

originally wanted to create.

145

Just a like convenient on demand

service for those busy parents.

146

But then it became actually more

useful and more kind of helpful

147

for a lot of other cases as well.

148

For example.

149

really, really anxious pets

and the value that it can bring

150

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

151

Charlotte Gray: that are so stressed

about the idea of a vet clinic or

152

the cats that just get terrified

about going in a carrier or the poor

153

owners that are scratched as they

try and get them into the carriers.

154

But then also like the owners that just

physically can't get in with either

155

transport mobility concerns or ladies

who cannot get into the vet clinic.

156

And, also because the way we run and, you

know, essentially we are a video service.

157

I don't have any overheads that

we can significantly drop the

158

cost of veterinary care as well.

159

And so it, the other option was

that it is really there for those

160

who are on a bit more of a budget

or have financial concerns as well.

161

And I became, 'cause I, I still

work in practice, so I still work.

162

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: You do.

163

Charlotte Gray: And I became so

aware of how expensive veterinary

164

care was becoming and almost

outta reach for a lot of owners.

165

And unfortunately, if kind of how it

works in the uk, if you are eligible for

166

charity care, then great because, You

know, PDSA dog trust, they are fantastic.

167

They are really, really good.

168

But not everyone makes the cut

for that, and therefore there

169

isn't really an in between.

170

I wanted to have an option for

people who can't always do.

171

the classic 60 pound console

and then everything else on top.

172

And so they still feel like they're

able to do something and that

173

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

174

Charlotte Gray: kind of

factor for us as well.

175

So it

176

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

177

Charlotte Gray: in summary.

178

It's a service that's there for like,

kind of convenient, flexible, on

179

demand, low cost, veterinary care.

180

And sometimes we just

wanna talk it out properly.

181

You know, we have, there's no

time constraints on our consults.

182

We are there to, sometimes you just need

to really sit and digest information

183

with your lost second opinions.

184

Just so

185

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

186

Charlotte Gray: pressure of a busy

waiting room outside and you feel

187

like the vet's hurrying you through.

188

'cause they've got to kind of get

through their 15 minute appointment.

189

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

15 minute appointment.

190

Yeah.

191

Feel like a gps.

192

Charlotte Gray: Well, exactly, and they're

under pressure, you know, they are busy.

193

It is very

194

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

They are.

195

Charlotte Gray: practice and so it

is just a way, you know, I'd like

196

to hope think as well that we are.

197

taking away some of the,

the caseload to the clinics.

198

You know, if we're taking away the

less urgent ones, they can then

199

prioritize urgent cases and we can try

and help offset that for them as well.

200

Taking pressure off the medicine practice.

201

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

No, that's brilliant.

202

It's all about sort of collaboration

as well and helping each other.

203

I love what you said about them, the

pet parent trying to put the cat in the,

204

in the carrier and getting scratched.

205

I've had a few clients where it's like the

cat's known that it's the vet appointment

206

and they've gone out and not come back.

207

And then.

208

They're just, oh well the cat's

like, oh, the cats know nbc.

209

'cause he must know he is

going to the vets today.

210

So they've had to miss the appointment

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Charlotte Gray: call, I'm sure.

212

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

and they're just like, let's

213

clear off for the rest of the day.

214

Charlotte Gray: I mean, I get

215

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

brilliant.

216

Thank you.

217

Charlotte Gray: where you.

218

get, they finally get the call and they've

got the cats next to them, and then we

219

turn the camera around and the cat just,

220

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

I, they're a bit different to dogs

221

'cause dogs will probably stay by your

side or sit on your lap or whatever.

222

But the cats are a bit more promiscuous

anyway, so they're just like, right.

223

I'm, I'm after him.

224

I thing.

225

Brilliant.

226

So moving on.

227

So we're going to be talking more

about obviously the online vet model

228

now, and we've touched on a few,

benefits, but the benefits for the

229

guardians and the the pet parents.

230

So for dog parents listening, what

actually is an online vet consultant?

231

How does it work?

232

Please?

233

Charlotte Gray: So it is very easy.

234

Even for those that don't think they're

very tech savvy, it is very easy.

235

Essentially you go to the

website, my Vetsy.co.uk.

236

You can book an appointment

at a time that suits you.

237

And the consultation itself is 39 pounds.

238

That includes, so that's the,

the actual consultation plus

239

any written prescription, more

than one if you need them.

240

And then you can obviously

source your medication online.

241

But what we do is we meet for

the appointment and it's done all

242

through our video consultations.

243

So, a little bit like

Zoom or Skype as we all

244

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

245

Charlotte Gray: anyway, but it's.

246

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

247

Charlotte Gray: Created

through the, the site itself.

248

We have a good chat, kind of summarize

your concerns and any previous history.

249

We do a visual assessment of the

pep, so you can flip the camera if

250

you're on your phone, or use your

laptop as well if you need to.

251

And we can just do a full kind

of like checkover, you know.

252

It is, you do get a lot of

information from that exam.

253

So you know, we can check the, check the

eyes, check the ears, check the skin over.

254

Overall we check the mouth, the teeth

and what we do, I do a lot of, is often

255

kind of gait and posture analysis.

256

So you can get a lot of information

on the way that the dog's standing.

257

Or we can do full kind of walking,

trotting, we get 'em to sit, stand,

258

lie down, jump up, jump down, which

are things that you don't get to do

259

in clinic, you know, when you're in

like a small little consult room.

260

So, Yeah.

261

Yeah.

262

we can get a lot of

information in that sense.

263

And then we tend to put together a

little plan and essentially summarize

264

where we're gonna go from there.

265

And then after the call, we send you

through the aftercare plan, which is like.

266

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

267

That's so comprehensive.

268

Charlotte Gray: Yeah.

269

so the reason I do it is because I know

how when you're sat in a consultation

270

and vets are just talking at you, you

can often walk out and just think,

271

oh my gosh, what was it that they

272

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

273

Charlotte Gray: the problem?

274

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Information overload.

275

Charlotte Gray: So they're so

valuable to kind of have this plan.

276

And I get the Mick taken outta me.

277

'cause mine's usually like

three pages long, but it's

278

only because I talk too much.

279

But I summarize everything

that we've said and then I.

280

that kind of list treatment plan plus

any potential diagnostics that might

281

be recommended, which we may suggest

contacting your own vets for, or kind of

282

follow up on if Plan A doesn't work, what

would plan B be and things like that.

283

And then we also send you any potential

prescriptions that may be suggested.

284

So that's where you can then take

that prescription online to the

285

pet pharmacies of your choice.

286

Just pop them.

287

I tend to say, just pop the name

of the medication into Google

288

and it'll come up with them all.

289

And then you can shop around.

290

And it's as simple as you, once

you've put your meds, put them in your

291

shopping cart, and at the checkout

they'll ask you to upload your

292

prescription so you can just attach

it and it gets sent out in the post.

293

And then we get the treatment going.

294

And obviously I, I check in a lot.

295

I send emails or I'll send

messages through the site just

296

to check in on patients and make

sure that you're happy with them.

297

But if you're ever.

298

Unsure, you've got questions.

299

We're also available through the

Messenger on the site as well,

300

so always through to my phone.

301

I'll, I'll always get

back to you when I can.

302

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

No, you do.

303

Yeah.

304

I've used the Messenger messenger

app or Messenger functionality.

305

And you know, when you're not,

when you, like you say you're free,

306

you're very responsive and stuff.

307

So, it's brilliant.

308

I really, I mean, I'm, I'm a big fan and

big advocate of it as, you know, I've

309

recommended it to some of my clients

and some of them have used you now.

310

And you know, you are

working like alongside the.

311

The, the first opinion vet or their

normal vet you, you ask for the history.

312

You send your consultation and follow up

plan to their sort of main registered vet.

313

So you do, you know, you do work

all joint joined up, don't you?

314

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, I think

it's, it's so key to, a thing I've

315

always said is we are not your

replacement for your vet clinic.

316

So I don't let, I've had people email us

to say, look, can we register with you?

317

You can always register with us, but you

don't leave your practice because you?

318

always need a brick and mortar practice.

319

You'll always need someone who can

do the diagnostics or someone that

320

needs direct face-to-face care, so.

321

We are not a replacement, we're

just a complimentary service.

322

And what we do is we completely

keep everyone in the loop.

323

So I get all the information from the vets

just so I know what tests have been done.

324

I can look at results obviously don't

then repeat anything that's then been

325

done, but equally kind of can see what

may have worked and what didn't work.

326

But then

327

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Hmm.

328

Charlotte Gray: anything I've said.

329

The same report you get gets sent to

the vets because then it means they're

330

kept in the loop, so no one's confused.

331

And then if any vets wants to

discuss it, then we can, which we

332

have done as well with some cases.

333

And it works.

334

I find it makes.

335

It works well, especially if you've got

like a really anxious dog that the vets

336

can't examine anyway and it's gonna take

them 30 minutes out of their day just

337

to kind of try and get the dog into the

building, which is not fair on the dog.

338

It's not fair on the owner, not

gonna be examined like hands-on.

339

Then that's where Go video consult

and we can liaise our findings.

340

There's some dogs I've dealt

with who have never had that.

341

Mouth examined 'cause they're

usually muzzled in a clinic.

342

But I can do a full dental assessment

at home with, with mom and dad there.

343

Let them have a good look around and

things so, know, it does his perks.

344

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, it does.

345

And like you've just mentioned, the

benefits there for anxious or fearful

346

dogs, so you're nervous, your anxious

dogs, like you're reactive or spicy

347

dogs you know, some that can't go to

the vet's busy households as well.

348

So I know that we've the

appointments, there's.

349

You know, you're restricted like to

just maybe nine till six or whatever to

350

your main vet, but there's appointments

available in the evenings and at

351

weekends there's no extra charge.

352

You're out of hours.

353

Like, and like you said people with

mobility, just so those people that

354

could be living in rural areas or

those that have got mobility issues,

355

they've, they can just speech you

from the comfort of their own home.

356

They haven't gotta go anywhere.

357

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, exactly.

358

I've got a really dear, dear little

client with a very naughty cat who always

359

gets into, into cat fights and often

ends up with bites and wounds and stuff.

360

So we but she,

361

Until she's got no transport, no family

local, so we do a lot of a lot of kind

362

of video calls with her and manage

the wounds, which she's brilliant.

363

She does it all.

364

She's so good.

365

But yeah.

366

And those

367

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.

368

Charlotte Gray: that you just think

like, what else would you do really if

369

you don't have another option available?

370

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Exactly.

371

So I think we've, again touched on it,

but just for our listeners and viewers.

372

So why might someone Charlotte

choose an online vet first instead

373

of immediately rushing to a clinic?

374

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, so I think,

375

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I.

376

Charlotte Gray: there's, there tends

to be like an a bracket of kind

377

of appointments that would be, I.

378

I call appropriate for

online veterinary medicine.

379

So normally things like kind

of chronic pet care, so anyone

380

that's on long-term prescriptions

and legally have to have their.

381

Pets checked every six months

under the Royal College.

382

So you do need to have them assessed

on a six monthly basis so we can

383

update those sort of prescriptions

or being well, as long as we have

384

some blood work to work with, if it's

needed, depending on the condition.

385

As well as general geriatric care.

386

So just that age in pet.

387

So kind of those subtle cues or changes.

388

In thirst, appetite, energy levels or

kind of just general stiffness as well.

389

We do a lot of pain

management, so whether it's an

390

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

391

Charlotte Gray: that they've

just landed awkwardly chasing the

392

ball, or more likely your chronic.

393

ailments where they are just getting

a bit stiff and potentially arthritic.

394

I think that's kind of dominates

a lot of our consults essentially,

395

and that we can do pain trials and

pain kind of response to different

396

treatments and see which one works.

397

But the other benefit we have is

that we are able to also refer, so

398

we can refer to other complimentary

therapies like physio and.

399

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Of course.

400

Yeah.

401

Charlotte Gray: as well.

402

So I work quite closely as well as

with behaviourists, but also with,

403

with those sort of complimentary

therapies, which always go hand in hand.

404

The other thing we do a lot of is skin.

405

There's pesky allergies and kind of

food allergies, food intolerances,

406

nutritional advice behavioural issues.

407

We do a lot.

408

'Cause obviously we've got a

little worried docs that don't

409

want to be in the vet clinic.

410

Second opinion.

411

said, we take that we can, we can

afford to have the time to sit and

412

review cases and kind of sit down and

talk with and talk about everything

413

that they've kind of gone through and

look back over the so many years that

414

they've been managing these conditions.

415

So, yeah, and it's kind of, it's

quite nice to just do that because you

416

don't always, it's just sitting and

reviewing the data at that stage and

417

so yeah, it can be quite helpful to

418

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

419

Yeah, I love that and I, that's what

I've said to a couple of my clients

420

is just to have a second opinion.

421

Charlotte Gray: Yeah.

422

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

no harm in getting a second opinion.

423

That's what I've asked, like for some

of them to do and to reach out to you.

424

It's just good they've got that option.

425

Yeah.

426

They may not want to register to another

sort of bricks and mortar practice.

427

They might, you know, might

see you as a backup for that.

428

So.

429

Charlotte Gray: Yeah.

430

And I think the other thing is some,

some people seem like they're really

431

worried about offending their vets

and kind of feel like they're, they're

432

kind of betraying them and it's

never perceived as that, you know?

433

So I would never take offense if

someone wanted to get a second opinion.

434

You know, you should.

435

It is, it is your pet, it's your baby.

436

It's everything that.

437

you care about.

438

So you wanna do the best by them.

439

And if you do want to get another

opinion or just check your

440

options, 'cause Google can be So.

441

comprehensive of all the information this.

442

These days, you, you really do.

443

If you, if in doubt and you

want a second opinion, do it.

444

There's no harm in it.

445

Your vet's

446

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

447

Charlotte Gray: if you do it either.

448

You know, it's just,

it's one of those things.

449

It's nice to kind of clear it and get,

get all the information you want to sit

450

down and make then decisions together.

451

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

452

And it's not just Google

now it's AI as well.

453

So it is important to,

454

yeah, it's important.

455

Yeah, so important just to

speak to someone that's a human

456

instead.

457

No, brilliant.

458

And like we, you know, I, obviously I've

worked with my own dogs and you, and

459

we've able, we've been able to get like

the most recent blood work and you've

460

had a look at that and things like that.

461

Do you know what I mean?

462

So you've got access to all that

sort of information to make a

463

more sort of informed decision.

464

Charlotte Gray: exactly.

465

And I'm not afraid to say, you know, and

if, if I feel like it's not appropriate

466

or I feel like they would benefit and

I have done this, but I feel actually.

467

I'm questioning whether

there's more going on here.

468

And I think blood tests

are gonna be valuable.

469

We do have what we call the Vetsy Promise.

470

So if I feel like we're not actually gonna

help and it's an unnecessary appointment,

471

or if it actually is something that

should be urgently addressed we actually

472

will cancel and refund the appointment

and tell you to go direct to the clinic.

473

So you're not wasting money by booking it.

474

If, if we're not gonna be

able to help you, then it is

475

a case of No, No, let's not.

476

Go ahead.

477

'cause it's not fair for, for your dog.

478

So, yeah, it's something.

479

A lot of people are a bit worried

about trying something new 'cause it's

480

obviously not something that's common.

481

Commonly available at the moment.

482

I'm sure it will be one

day, but it's, that's.

483

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: No, I

love that because like it's, that's nice.

484

It just gives people reassurance that,

you know, you're not there just to take

485

money like you are doing what's best

for them and their dog or their pet,

486

and you're prepared to sort of, like you

say, refund it if it's not necessary.

487

And not a lot of people

probably wouldn't do that.

488

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, and we had, it

was just the other week actually, we

489

had someone who little dog was, pale.

490

They booked it in for her pale gums and

instantly like this doesn't need to,

491

this shouldn't be an appointment at all.

492

Like, so we called them up

actually before, so they didn't

493

even wait for the appointment.

494

We just called them and said, go

to your vets, we will cancel this.

495

And they've actually messaged

this week to say that.

496

Yeah, it was, it was a mass and it was

bleeding and had lost a lot of blood.

497

But.

498

It was

499

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh.

500

Charlotte Gray: and they've had the

tumor removed and he is doing great.

501

And they sent us the photo

and so it's like, Oh.

502

thank goodness.

503

yeah.

504

So

505

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

That must be nice when you get

506

updates like that, wasn't it?

507

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, exactly.

508

'cause I always worry, I'm always

like, I wonder what happened.

509

I usually do check in, but it is

always a bit like oh, what happened?

510

Because I know that,

wasn't gonna be a nice one.

511

But yeah, so it's, it?

512

is

513

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

514

Charlotte Gray: it unnecessarily.

515

We would say, no, it's in the pet's best

interest not to do an appointment with us.

516

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

I love that.

517

I absolutely love that.

518

Brilliant.

519

Thank you so much Charlotte.

520

So moving on to our next section.

521

Again, we've touched on it a little

bit, but we can just sort of elaborate

522

and just dive a little bit deeper.

523

So about vet visits and

anxiety and why it matters.

524

So, what do you think makes vet visits

so stressful for so many dogs, please?

525

Charlotte Gray: I think, I mean, it's,

it's essentially because of the, just

526

completely different smells, noises.

527

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

It smells.

528

Yeah.

529

Charlotte Gray: around clinics normally

look very clinical, don't they?

530

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

531

Charlotte Gray: they never look nice.

532

They're busy.

533

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Stuffy and smelly.

534

Charlotte Gray: I mean there are very

few, but I've worked in some really

535

lovely clinics where they've really

custom made it and they've selected

536

the color of the floor and it made

more natural and it's beautiful.

537

It's really, really lovely and

it makes such a difference.

538

But traditional clinics, and

often they are kind of decades

539

old are clinics these days.

540

But yeah, they are, they can be

quite intimidated for that reason.

541

So they've got to kind of get

through that overwhelming.

542

Fear of that, worry of the waiting room.

543

And then you are going into a smaller

room where you've got a stranger kind

544

of handling you, pulling you around

potentially your sore, and then the,

545

the kind of manipulation further.

546

Or you've had a previously negative or

traumatic experience, which sometimes

547

can be your, if you've been muted,

you know, then they've woken up.

548

Or a bit worried.

549

So they've had that negative

experience than they are.

550

Also a little bit, they can often

associate it with that, so it, it

551

becomes a bit of a repetitive cycle.

552

Some dogs don't care at all and they

just love to come in and have the fuss

553

and they're really happy and bubbly.

554

But there are those ones that they've

had it and traumatic past before or

555

they are just a little bit more anxious

or their mom and dad are anxious.

556

That's the other thing, if parents.

557

Then they are going to

read off that as well.

558

So that's, that's the,

that's to be the reasons why.

559

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Two of

mine are quite nervous of the table, but I

560

think it's because like they went and got

like spayed the two girls, and they just

561

don't like the table and they shake now.

562

Charlotte Gray: no, I.

563

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: So

they have to like be Yeah, so like

564

they, they have to kind of go down

like do the consult on the floor.

565

Charlotte Gray: also quite little

dogs as well, which can then Well,

566

because then they just feel like

they're being all coward and trapped.

567

And that's like, I, I hate

568

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

569

Charlotte Gray: I'm always like, oh,

I feel like you're gonna be terrified

570

and everyone's kind of coming over you.

571

So it's, it's really

572

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

573

Charlotte Gray: very different.

574

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

And also I've known, I've heard of

575

that some, it's the flooring because

it's special flooring in a lot of

576

vets, which is easier to clean.

577

And for some dogs, like depending

on their paws and their nows,

578

it's the texture of the flooring.

579

It, they don't like.

580

Charlotte Gray: So there's some dogs

I've had that won't even walk in

581

because the floor is just, so what

we do is you can get like yoga mats.

582

I like, I tend to try and get yoga

mats and I put them down, but.

583

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

584

Charlotte Gray: Because as soon as they've

got that grip, especially the older dogs,

585

those sort of floors where we can mop

them down essentially, which is what you

586

want it's, it's those sort of floors that

they can actually have a bit of grip on

587

and then they do feel a bit more secure.

588

So I have been known to put towels and

yoga mats around to try and help them.

589

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

That's really nice.

590

Yeah, we don't want 'em slipping and

sliding everywhere, that's for sure.

591

Especially if they're a little bit older.

592

Brilliant.

593

Thank you.

594

So my, I'm really big on early

desensitization particularly

595

like vets and groomers.

596

So how can early desensitization set

our dogs up for a calm and positive

597

association at the Vet Charlotte?

598

Charlotte Gray: Yeah.

599

So I mean, it is, it is essential.

600

It absolutely, I can't

recommend it enough if you can.

601

I mean, you're talking desensitization to

essentially being handled is one thing.

602

So if you can start at a young age,

and what we mean is regularly kind.

603

Doing like the general handling

checks and counter condition in them.

604

So it is always associated with

something very positive, whether it's

605

like a treat or reward or some play.

606

But just having that puppy

essentially where she can still

607

mold them be exposed to lovely

positive environment experiences.

608

So I tend to certainly recommend kind of

getting your pet used to being handled at

609

quite a young age and doing that at home.

610

you can easily do.

611

So try and mimic the veterinary exam.

612

And what we typically try

and do is examine from the

613

nose to the tip of the tail.

614

So kind of starting around the nose,

lifting up the ma the lips, and

615

having a little look at the teeth.

616

And again, that's a good chance

to get them used to the brushing.

617

So it is hard to brush.

618

Or just mouthy, but kind of just start to

get them used to the feel of either like

619

a dental chew or brush in their mouth

so they can get used to you doing that.

620

And then kind of lifting the ears,

maybe have a little wipe around

621

the ears going down the feet,

touching the nails so they can

622

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh yeah.

623

Charlotte Gray: Exactly.

624

'cause they get so many foot shy ups.

625

And also, I mean, if you do have

like grooming tools like nail

626

clippers, let them just sniff them.

627

Just get them used to being around.

628

So, and then do it one day

and hurt them and then they

629

just don't want it ever again.

630

You can start to do it, but if you don't

feel comfortable doing it, don't do it.

631

Just leave it and just touch the totes

and then at least it makes the groomer's

632

job or the vet job a little bit easier

when they do need a nail clip in future.

633

And then I just say, kind of

run your hands over the body.

634

Get them used to that feeling

and then lift their tail up at

635

the end because that's that one

636

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

637

Charlotte Gray: need that

temperature to be in checked and

638

then that will make it a bit easier.

639

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.

640

Yeah.

641

It's not nice the old,

642

Charlotte Gray: there's

no way around it either.

643

It has to be done.

644

So yeah,

645

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.

646

Charlotte Gray: kind of that

desensitization, but then not like

647

the other way of looking at, it's

actually desensitized into the car.

648

'cause often, you know,

we don't always need to.

649

We're just gonna get used to kind of

walking around the house and things.

650

So yeah.

651

desensitizing to the car is

a big thing to look at doing.

652

So start young.

653

And then the other one is also

just the actual vet clinic.

654

So I cannot emphasize enough

the importance of happy

655

visits and taking the dog a

656

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

657

Charlotte Gray: age even.

658

Or even if you do have an anxious dog,

doesn't even need to be a young age,

659

or you've got a little rescue that's

quite worried about socializing.

660

Taking 'em into the clinic, head to

the reception, have a few biscuits,

661

let the nurses kind of give them a few.

662

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

I am glad you said that.

663

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, I mean, it's

just, it's the best thing as well.

664

It makes such a difference when

you can find the time for a

665

clinic that's gonna do that.

666

and really build up your confidence.

667

It just, it makes the world a difference

when they do need to come in or have

668

something done or need to be examined.

669

They're so much happier about coming

if it happens at a younger age.

670

So yeah, definitely.

671

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I

was gonna say that because you don't

672

always want it to be that when they

go to the vets, it's kind of like

673

something, you know, invasive or bad.

674

But I used to say to my puppy training

clients in classes when I was doing

675

training just to, if you can take them in

once a week, take 'em up to the reception,

676

give them a few treats, then they don't

always associate as as something like bad.

677

Charlotte Gray: No, exactly.

678

And I get, I get clients to come and

they just come and sit in reception,

679

have a cup of tea, and then we have

like a little, few little snacks and

680

biscuits for the, for the puff and

681

Bit bit more secure.

682

Really.

683

And it does, it doesn't take much

to do, but it really does make a

684

big difference in in the long run.

685

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: It does.

686

It's all those smiles isn't it as well?

687

Like all the different smiles

and obviously what they're

688

seeing and you know, yeah.

689

So important.

690

I love that.

691

So, I think we might have just touched

on this again a little bit, but what

692

practical steps can, dog or pet parents

take to help their pup or kitten feel more

693

relaxed about being handled or examined.

694

So we've got like gentle touch

training, handling the paws.

695

Is positive reinforcement

at the clinic door.

696

So we've kind of touched on

that a bit, really haven't we?

697

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, and I think

kind of starting early enough for

698

you doing it, but don't overdo it.

699

So kind of just like five

minutes really every week.

700

Just you.

701

Just getting them used to that feel

will just be enough to get them.

702

More familiar with

being handled by others.

703

And I think the other thing is if you

are a, a pet parent who is anxious or

704

you have an anxious dog and therefore

it's very justified to be anxious

705

'cause you've obviously gone through

that worry of the dog being reactive

706

or what they're gonna do in the waiting

room, or how they're gonna the vet.

707

It, you yourself need to

also try and stay calm.

708

Okay.

709

Start.

710

A big thing as well.

711

They, they read.

712

Yeah, exactly.

713

I mean, a percent, like,

what do they call it?

714

The four squared breathing technique like.

715

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, yes, yes.

716

Charlotte Gray: I mean,

I, I swear by that.

717

I do it all the time anyway, but I, it

is, it makes such a difference if you

718

are worried and I have had, so, and

one of the things actually I've run

719

through Vetsy, is the amount of clients

who are just so anxious to talk about

720

anything in depth with their vet because

of what they think about is I've got

721

to get out into the waiting room deal

with that, and I just wanna get out,

722

like, you know, they don't wanna then.

723

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

724

Charlotte Gray: And things like that.

725

So they often don't then listen to half

the advice or feel like they can't talk

726

openly enough about their concerns.

727

Whether it's behavioural

concerns, they almost feel like

728

they can't really talk about.

729

So doing it in the comfort

of home is a lot nicer.

730

'Cause you can just do a cup of tea

or something stronger you need, but

731

it just means that you can then.

732

Really have an open conversation

and I, I, so many people have said

733

to me, it's made such a difference

just being able to do this.

734

And, and kind of, but I do think

if you are quite worried in that

735

sense, the dog's gonna read your body

language, they're gonna read off you,

736

and therefore it's not gonna help how

they feel in the long run as well.

737

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, no, I know.

738

I definitely pick up on how I feel.

739

As I was saying, I was just

thinking I'll get some rescue remedy

740

under the tongue or something.

741

Just make you chew out.

742

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, absolutely.

743

A really interesting thing when they

say, if, I dunno if you, you, oh, you

744

probably do know this, but essentially

like if, your, often find it a concept

745

you can stand and the dog will do

this thing where they lean on you.

746

Will they sit on your feet?

747

Do your dogs do this?

748

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

749

Charlotte Gray: they,

750

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

751

They lean in.

752

Charlotte Gray: is there

a reading of your tense?

753

How tense you are, how

scared you are about this.

754

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

755

Charlotte Gray: they've got, they're so

756

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

757

Charlotte Gray: to how you are, and I

don't think people quite realize that.

758

They think they're just like,

ah, they're just being cute.

759

And they're just sitting on like,

no, no, they're reading not happy.

760

Like, Yeah.

761

And it's, it's fascinating how much they

can actually like, you know, get from us.

762

And so, yeah, It is, so

important to stay relaxed.

763

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: it is.

764

it is.

765

Do you have any sort of stories

or personal sort of sort of wins

766

that have happened, like either

in practice, like with a nervous

767

or anxious dog or parent at all?

768

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, quite a few.

769

yeah, I

770

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

771

Charlotte Gray: probably the, the,

probably the biggest one I've had.

772

was a very dear patient of mine prayer,

who was a very, very sad, bad, sad story.

773

A little gorgeous English terrier

who sadly had been stabbed by

774

a malicious previous owner.

775

Nine.

776

And had presented like out of

hours clinic and had to kind of go

777

through this huge, kind of, undergo

a lot of sur extensive surgery and

778

treatment, which is just devastating.

779

But she was fortunately rehomed

and her mom was one of the

780

nurses working at the clinic.

781

But because of

782

Experience, it left her

with such severe anxiety and

783

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

not surprised.

784

Charlotte Gray: like not the same dog.

785

She was just traumatized.

786

She ended up having to be on

anti-anxiety medication, but then.

787

Basically found any time she felt pain

for example, just naturally with age, it

788

then affected her anxiety even further.

789

So I met her through Vetsy because

she kind of came to us for kind

790

of pain medication and her anxiety

medication and we'd managed

791

that quite for quite some time.

792

But then sadly she got a mam lump

and so we ended up, I ended up seeing

793

her in practice after that and we

did the mastectomy to remove it.

794

But it was quite high grade and it was,

it's a bit of a sad story, I'm afraid.

795

So.

796

Yeah.

797

So

798

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Oh, okay.

799

Charlotte Gray: Advanced and we ended

up deciding to go with palliative

800

care because we didn't wanna put

her through the stress of handling.

801

'cause veterinary visits just

weren't the option for her.

802

It was just too stressful for her.

803

And we never wanted her

to feel any discomfort.

804

And you know, even reg, you know,

if you do chemotherapy and things,

805

it's regular blood testing and

intravenous injections often it's a lot.

806

For, for any patient to go through,

especially one if you're quite anxious.

807

So we went for palliative care and we did

a lot of it remotely but definitely got

808

more time than we we expected with her.

809

But she's one that's really, I think,

sat with me quite a lot recently.

810

And yeah, she's, sadly, sadly,

we, we lost her a few months

811

ago, but she's, yeah, she's dear.

812

She's left A little paw

print in my heart for sure.

813

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh God.

814

I bet, I bet there's a few that have

done that over the, over the years.

815

Oh, I, I mean, I dunno

if I could do your job.

816

I mean, hat's off to you, you're amazing.

817

But yeah, it must, God, it

put was on the heartstrings.

818

Charlotte Gray: Yeah,

I, I definitely compete.

819

I think I'll get more

emotional with age as well, so

820

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Same.

821

Charlotte Gray: it's fine.

822

I just cry along with them.

823

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, I mean, I've always been

824

emotional, but yeah, I'm, I'm

definitely more as I get older.

825

Brilliant.

826

Let's move on to our next section.

827

Thank you so much.

828

So helping the pet parents feel empowered.

829

So many pet parents

feel anxious themselves.

830

So we've sort of touched on

this about the vet visits.

831

So yeah, how can we keep our

emotions in check so we don't

832

pass that stress on to the dog?

833

So, like you said, it's

probably about doing some.

834

Box breathing and listen some meditation

and just getting yourself choked.

835

Charlotte Gray: Just, yeah.

836

And I think do you know, I don't

think people discuss enough

837

openly with their vets about how

they feel about the appointment.

838

So, you know, if you do worry

about sitting in the, the waiting

839

room, just let your vets know.

840

Sit in the car, like I would happily do.

841

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh, yes.

842

Charlotte Gray: If, if it meant that

it wasn't gonna be, you know, anxious

843

pet or worried mom or dad so yeah.

844

Or sit in the car until

you need to be seen.

845

Obviously there's

846

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

847

Charlotte Gray: for, for

home visits or video vets.

848

But Yeah.

849

I just think it's one of those

things that just talk openly let

850

your vet know how you're feeling.

851

Vets are.

852

There's loads of things they can do.

853

And also if you do have really, really

anxious pets and you think I just can't

854

get them to the clinic or even get them

examined, there are things that we call

855

like chill protocols, like kind of tablets

and meds that you can use just to take the

856

address them before they're appointment.

857

That I'm sure if you,

858

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mm.

859

Charlotte Gray: your local vets, they

would also happily recommend doing that.

860

You know,

861

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

862

Charlotte Gray: one wants to go

through the stress of, of blood sample.

863

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: No.

864

Charlotte Gray: and muscles.

865

It's awful.

866

No.

867

one wants to do that.

868

So it's and if you

869

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mm

870

Charlotte Gray: like you are

not happy about the way your

871

pet is being handled and you've

872

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: mm

873

Charlotte Gray: this openly with

your vets and you still don't feel

874

comfortable about it, then I don't

think they're the vet for you.

875

And then I'd say that

876

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: No.

877

Charlotte Gray: try some, try somewhere

878

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

879

Charlotte Gray: definitely are

many, many vets out there who handle

880

appropriately and, and are, are

more than happy to support you.

881

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

882

Yeah.

883

I've recently changed to a different

first opinion vet and yeah, definitely.

884

You've gotta, it, it's like

with a lot of things, isn't it?

885

You've gotta get, get with someone

that you sort of gel with, like,

886

you know, you've gotta get on Wow.

887

With them.

888

I,

889

Charlotte Gray: The value

of that pet client patient

890

relationship is so important.

891

And if you've got

892

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: mm-hmm.

893

Mm

894

Charlotte Gray: then you're gonna have

those open conversations, aren't you?

895

So I

896

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: mm.

897

Charlotte Gray: yeah, I think if you're

not, if you're just clash and you're

898

not getting anywhere, then it's, it's

899

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

900

Charlotte Gray: worth

trial and somewhere else.

901

And just seeing if, if you,

902

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

903

Charlotte Gray: more comfortable

with who's looking after your

904

animals at the end of the day.

905

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, it's mad because I'm a dog

906

trainer qualified dog trainer and

behaviour consultant, even though

907

I don't practice as much anymore.

908

Like I didn't even think about

how they pick up on our stress

909

and how I must be feeling.

910

Because I'm an anxiety Annie,

as it is, I suffer with severe

911

anxiety, believe it or not.

912

So I didn't even think about how they

would feed off of that and pick up

913

on you, and then also to tell your

vet how you are feeling as well.

914

Charlotte Gray: Mm.

915

Yeah.

916

absolutely.

917

I think that's, I mean, it's

918

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

919

Charlotte Gray: well.

920

Luckily, if you've got your pet in

and it's not just a booster or it's,

921

you know, not just a mild ailment, but

actually you've got a very sick animal,

922

of course you're gonna be worried.

923

You know, I think you

924

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mm.

925

Charlotte Gray: you

can't ever overlook that.

926

And I don't think you, you know,

if you've got a dog that's.

927

Been sick all night or is coughing

excessively or struggling to breathe.

928

You have every right to be a worried Don.

929

know?

930

It's something that, Yeah, the last

thing you want to do is then stress about

931

actually having to do that visit when

you're already worried enough as it is.

932

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, I know.

933

That's why, that's why I

do my Vetsy consults now.

934

It's a lot easier for me.

935

Brilliant.

936

Thank you.

937

So it's important as well in terms

of knowledge and understanding

938

what's normal versus what.

939

Needs a vet eye, isn't it?

940

As well, like you say,

you've gotta be careful.

941

There's a lot of, you know,

Google Doctor, Google Vets.

942

It's important, isn't it, to get

a vet to look over certain things.

943

Really,

944

Charlotte Gray: I think,

I mean that's the thing.

945

Don't be, obviously, I think everyone kind

of knows these days that what you put into

946

Google if, if you put enough in AI will

generate the answer you are looking for.

947

So you need to be very, very.

948

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

it's how it's actually your diet and

949

you've only gotta put a name, you've

got a headache, and it says get to a e.

950

Charlotte Gray: Absolutely.

951

So, yes.

952

But I think it was

953

but I, I think, I think the other

thing I would always say, and I

954

think most vets would also agree,

is that if you are not sure.

955

Just ask, just send us if you emailed

me or you know, send us a little a

956

message or kind of call your vets.

957

Most of the time we'll say, do

you know what you'll be okay.

958

Wait.

959

They're not gonna always be like, Yeah.

960

we gotta come in.

961

You gotta come in now.

962

You know?

963

So.

964

Most, most vets would be more

than happy to just give you

965

advice if you're not sure.

966

You know, there's the, there's a thing

between vets C and being seen in practice.

967

Our big thing is essentially,

if this is an emergency, you

968

don't, you don't come to us.

969

You know, we're not, we're not gonna be

able to do any form of emergency care.

970

So I'm more than happy to review things if

you're not sure, and then say yes or no.

971

But essentially if, if in doubt, just

send us a message or contact your vets.

972

Email

973

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

974

Charlotte Gray: best, and they'll usually

guide you fairly, I think, as well.

975

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Yeah, it's so important.

976

I think you like, like when you said about

as well, it's important to communicate

977

because like I have seen, like, 'cause

I've worked in a practice before.

978

I was just on, I was reception, but

you, the vets will go out and do the

979

consult in the car or in the boot if

you, if you need them to, and, or they

980

may come out to your home with, they

have to bring someone with them for

981

insurance, but if you just speak to them.

982

They don't want you to be stressing

and your animal to be suffering.

983

So it's important to communicate.

984

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, absolutely.

985

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Right.

986

Okay.

987

So, yeah, so talking about Google then, so

how can online con can't even speak now.

988

How can online consults help reduce

that panic, Googling and empower

989

our guardians with more clarity?

990

Charlotte Gray: Yeah.

991

So I.

992

think, I

993

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I.

994

Charlotte Gray: We, I, I think that kind

of comes in with that kind of either

995

second opinion or tele triage medicine.

996

So, if

997

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Hmm.

998

Charlotte Gray: we do do a consult, we

could then just discuss the concerns.

999

Sometimes a lot of people just want to

know, like, do I need to go out of hours

00:42:35,436 --> 00:42:37,566

on a Sunday night or can this wait?

00:42:37,801 --> 00:42:38,401

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:42:38,626 --> 00:42:42,556

Charlotte Gray: And based on how the dog's

presented, we can often tell you that.

00:42:42,556 --> 00:42:47,416

So it can obviously significantly

save on that fees by doing that.

00:42:47,696 --> 00:42:51,566

And as I said, from vet's point of view,

if, if we did say, no, this needs to be

00:42:51,566 --> 00:42:53,756

seen now, we would just refund you anyway.

00:42:54,026 --> 00:42:59,726

But it can also, if it's a many what

should I say, like many treatment

00:42:59,726 --> 00:43:02,576

plans can potentially need like.

00:43:03,176 --> 00:43:04,196

Trial treatment first.

00:43:04,196 --> 00:43:07,106

And so you'd be like, oh, why don't

we see how we respond with this?

00:43:07,136 --> 00:43:10,506

Say for example, some, a course

of probiotics for diarrhea let's

00:43:10,506 --> 00:43:11,676

see how we respond to this.

00:43:11,676 --> 00:43:13,416

And potentially a little diet change.

00:43:13,596 --> 00:43:16,146

And if that's not getting

better, then often you want to

00:43:16,146 --> 00:43:18,216

look to do further diagnostics.

00:43:18,436 --> 00:43:21,136

And that's where you could potentially

say, right, well, you could start with

00:43:21,136 --> 00:43:22,846

the online consult and see how you get on.

00:43:22,846 --> 00:43:26,176

But if we're failing to improve as we

would've hoped, then I would certainly

00:43:26,566 --> 00:43:28,666

discuss next steps with your vets.

00:43:28,916 --> 00:43:30,821

And that's kind of, that's

how, how we would suggest.

00:43:31,796 --> 00:43:32,371

Going about it.

00:43:34,026 --> 00:43:34,296

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: No.

00:43:34,326 --> 00:43:36,336

So it is, I just think it's great.

00:43:36,336 --> 00:43:40,296

It's just another option really,

and I think more people should use

00:43:40,296 --> 00:43:42,046

it and hopefully they will as well.

00:43:42,046 --> 00:43:45,736

And obviously by getting this

episode out, it will help shine

00:43:45,736 --> 00:43:49,366

more of a light on it and obviously

particularly your, your service as well.

00:43:49,636 --> 00:43:54,866

So, just moving on, we're starting to

come to the end now, but our next section

00:43:54,866 --> 00:43:56,131

before we start wrapping up is just.

00:43:56,436 --> 00:43:58,926

Broader vet wisdom.

00:43:59,296 --> 00:44:03,736

So Charlotte, what do vets

wish that all dog parents knew?

00:44:03,736 --> 00:44:05,926

Is there any common myths or mistakes?

00:44:09,206 --> 00:44:09,446

Charlotte Gray: Yeah.

00:44:10,316 --> 00:44:12,206

Do you know what my mind bug bear is?

00:44:14,386 --> 00:44:14,626

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Go for it.

00:44:15,651 --> 00:44:16,466

Charlotte Gray: where do I start?

00:44:16,766 --> 00:44:17,066

No.

00:44:17,146 --> 00:44:20,086

People, misconception of.

00:44:21,106 --> 00:44:22,186

They're just getting old.

00:44:22,216 --> 00:44:26,356

My dog's, just getting old that's

normal is really something that

00:44:26,356 --> 00:44:28,796

I think shouldn't be overlooked.

00:44:28,796 --> 00:44:34,776

So dogs slowing down or cats to be

fair slowing down, showing stiffness

00:44:34,776 --> 00:44:37,926

and difficulty and getting up in

the morning we put that down as

00:44:37,986 --> 00:44:38,916

aches and pains and just getting.

00:44:40,421 --> 00:44:43,151

But actually that can be an indication.

00:44:43,151 --> 00:44:44,261

There is chronic pain there.

00:44:44,571 --> 00:44:47,361

And chronic pain is something

that we shouldn't ignore.

00:44:47,581 --> 00:44:48,151

So it.

00:44:48,151 --> 00:44:52,141

is something that I, this whole kind

of, oh, they're just getting older.

00:44:52,141 --> 00:44:53,251

They are gonna slow down.

00:44:53,251 --> 00:44:54,781

It's something that we want to avoid.

00:44:54,781 --> 00:44:57,961

You wouldn't want your dog

to have it day in discomfort.

00:44:58,261 --> 00:45:01,111

And if they are showing that

that stiffness and getting up or

00:45:01,111 --> 00:45:04,711

that little hobble down into the

garden, that is a dog that is in

00:45:04,711 --> 00:45:06,421

discomfort and if they're showing it.

00:45:07,256 --> 00:45:09,806

It's probably more advanced

than, than you realize.

00:45:10,076 --> 00:45:12,806

So, yeah, that's my,

that's my kind of my bug.

00:45:12,956 --> 00:45:18,296

And I think the other one is this

going kind of on with in general,

00:45:18,296 --> 00:45:22,736

but there's this whole of they're

too old to undergo an anesthetic.

00:45:22,796 --> 00:45:22,846

If.

00:45:23,686 --> 00:45:24,036

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Right.

00:45:24,291 --> 00:45:26,931

Charlotte Gray: Comes up quite a

bit because it's usually the old

00:45:26,931 --> 00:45:28,821

dogs that need a dental for example.

00:45:28,821 --> 00:45:29,661

And then they're like, oh

00:45:29,826 --> 00:45:30,046

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.

00:45:30,261 --> 00:45:31,491

Charlotte Gray: no, I shouldn't

do that 'cause they're too

00:45:31,491 --> 00:45:33,021

old to have an anesthetic.

00:45:33,021 --> 00:45:36,381

But we would put 90-year-old ladies

on for under general anesthetic

00:45:36,381 --> 00:45:37,821

with total hip replacements.

00:45:38,031 --> 00:45:43,461

And we don't question it like it

is something that we can, you know,

00:45:43,461 --> 00:45:46,461

you tailor the anesthetic and you

don't wanna leave a dog with a sore

00:45:46,461 --> 00:45:47,991

mouth 'cause that would be awful.

00:45:48,151 --> 00:45:50,011

And if, you know, if we can.

00:45:51,001 --> 00:45:54,091

Go for things like dental treatment, I

would definitely, definitely encourage

00:45:54,091 --> 00:45:55,741

that because it's much nicer for them.

00:45:55,861 --> 00:45:58,801

And it does, you know, it comes

with its risk to believe an old dog

00:45:58,801 --> 00:46:00,871

with significant dental disease.

00:46:00,901 --> 00:46:03,781

It does pose a risk to the

heart, to the kidneys as well.

00:46:03,781 --> 00:46:06,871

So it's something that you do

wanna, and then not ignore because

00:46:06,871 --> 00:46:07,651

you still could have a good

00:46:07,656 --> 00:46:07,946

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:46:08,071 --> 00:46:08,551

Charlotte Gray: years with them.

00:46:08,791 --> 00:46:09,601

So, Yeah.

00:46:09,786 --> 00:46:10,741

that's, that's my.

00:46:13,301 --> 00:46:14,561

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

No, I'm glad you said that.

00:46:14,561 --> 00:46:17,621

We're gonna be touching on dental

in a second, but I was gonna say

00:46:17,621 --> 00:46:21,221

that dogs, and I've learned this,

they're very good at masking pain.

00:46:21,641 --> 00:46:26,921

Very good at hiding pain, you know,

so it is, if you are thinking, oh, my

00:46:26,921 --> 00:46:31,091

dog's old, but, and it's got aches and

pains, they, they do part with a lot.

00:46:31,156 --> 00:46:32,056

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, exactly.

00:46:32,116 --> 00:46:34,816

And they accept it as normal,

which I find really sad that

00:46:34,816 --> 00:46:36,706

they think that pain is normal.

00:46:36,766 --> 00:46:38,086

Like you'd never ever want that.

00:46:38,086 --> 00:46:38,146

So,

00:46:38,216 --> 00:46:38,506

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,

00:46:38,746 --> 00:46:39,016

Charlotte Gray: yeah.

00:46:39,196 --> 00:46:39,346

Yeah.

00:46:39,346 --> 00:46:39,886

So I don't

00:46:39,946 --> 00:46:40,166

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: no.

00:46:40,396 --> 00:46:40,636

Charlotte Gray: it.

00:46:41,296 --> 00:46:44,446

they don't always, they're not

always lame with it either.

00:46:44,506 --> 00:46:45,446

So that's what some people are like, oh.

00:46:46,546 --> 00:46:50,506

but that's because both legs are affected,

so that's why they're not obviously lame.

00:46:50,776 --> 00:46:53,326

And so that's why it is kind of

like if they're stiff or they're

00:46:53,326 --> 00:46:56,386

struggling, they don't make the car

jump anymore, or they really struggle

00:46:56,386 --> 00:46:57,496

to get up and down the stairs.

00:46:57,706 --> 00:47:01,246

Those are those real subtle signs that

we probably shouldn't be ignoring.

00:47:02,966 --> 00:47:03,386

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Mm.

00:47:03,806 --> 00:47:05,556

And oh God, it's gone outta my head.

00:47:05,556 --> 00:47:08,046

I was gonna say something

about oh, it's gone.

00:47:08,046 --> 00:47:08,796

It might come back.

00:47:08,796 --> 00:47:13,336

So, the importance of preventative

care, like dental, weight,

00:47:13,426 --> 00:47:14,626

exercise, and enrichment.

00:47:14,626 --> 00:47:15,861

What's your views on that?

00:47:17,706 --> 00:47:18,531

Charlotte Gray: Where do I start?

00:47:20,221 --> 00:47:20,441

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Wow.

00:47:21,531 --> 00:47:25,191

Charlotte Gray: I mean, it, it can,

it, it cannot really be overlooked.

00:47:25,241 --> 00:47:32,231

Those sort of subtle, low level kind of

preventative care will significantly save

00:47:32,231 --> 00:47:35,111

on the cost of pet care later in life.

00:47:35,111 --> 00:47:36,206

So, I know brush.

00:47:37,186 --> 00:47:38,266

is tedious.

00:47:38,326 --> 00:47:41,596

And yes, the gold standard is

to do it as often as you can.

00:47:41,596 --> 00:47:44,626

No, it's not feasible to do in

general life, and I will openly

00:47:44,626 --> 00:47:47,656

admit that I struggle to find

time to do my own dog's teeth.

00:47:48,076 --> 00:47:52,036

But if you can get into the habit of

getting in once or twice a week to give

00:47:52,036 --> 00:47:54,436

them a brush, it makes such a difference.

00:47:54,436 --> 00:47:57,016

It's the best thing you

can do for dental care.

00:47:57,326 --> 00:47:58,586

And if you do need to.

00:47:59,921 --> 00:48:01,301

a dental scale and polish.

00:48:01,451 --> 00:48:06,281

I also would encourage it to be done

under an aesthetic because you can get

00:48:06,551 --> 00:48:09,881

a really good clean done to doing it.

00:48:09,911 --> 00:48:12,491

Like at the greeners, where they

do with the ultrasonic scaler.

00:48:12,881 --> 00:48:16,661

You know, something we say is that it's,

it's almost like the tip of the iceberg.

00:48:16,661 --> 00:48:20,021

So what they do, it looks good, but

actually the inside of the team.

00:48:21,231 --> 00:48:23,481

else is, is still not addressed.

00:48:23,481 --> 00:48:26,541

And so it's, it's not really

a good use of your money.

00:48:26,591 --> 00:48:29,531

So we would certainly say,

do an under drum anesthetic,

00:48:29,591 --> 00:48:30,971

have a good, proper job done.

00:48:31,031 --> 00:48:32,471

Hopefully you don't need

to do it ever again.

00:48:32,621 --> 00:48:33,731

I know it's expensive.

00:48:33,821 --> 00:48:37,961

And so if you can avoid it and

do early dental care with routine

00:48:37,961 --> 00:48:41,591

brushing, dental, chew, and kind

of hygiene products, then great.

00:48:41,651 --> 00:48:42,191

Do that.

00:48:42,551 --> 00:48:45,251

And similarly, weight, I

mean it's, it's, everyone

00:48:45,351 --> 00:48:45,641

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:48:45,911 --> 00:48:46,241

Charlotte Gray: that.

00:48:47,141 --> 00:48:51,191

overweight and predisposed to

other health concerns such as joint

00:48:51,191 --> 00:48:55,721

disease, heart disease, diabetes,

thyroid issues, it can all add up.

00:48:55,881 --> 00:48:56,541

You know nothing

00:48:56,571 --> 00:48:56,861

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:48:57,171 --> 00:48:59,091

Charlotte Gray: than

managing a diabetic patient.

00:48:59,091 --> 00:49:03,531

So if you can avoid it with

appropriate diet plans then again,

00:49:03,591 --> 00:49:05,571

that's something to, to look into.

00:49:05,781 --> 00:49:08,091

And, you know, Vetsy's perfect

for that sort of stuff.

00:49:08,091 --> 00:49:11,336

I've got a lot of, lot of Weight

Watchers on my books that we do.

00:49:13,786 --> 00:49:14,206

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:49:14,236 --> 00:49:15,766

Weight clinics, monthly weights.

00:49:18,166 --> 00:49:18,646

Yeah.

00:49:18,856 --> 00:49:19,306

Brilliant.

00:49:19,526 --> 00:49:20,486

That's what I was gonna say.

00:49:20,486 --> 00:49:24,116

So normally if there's a change

in behaviour from my training

00:49:24,116 --> 00:49:27,356

head on, that can indicate like

there's, there's some pain.

00:49:27,666 --> 00:49:30,796

Because if I've got a tooth fake or

a headache, it affects my behaviour.

00:49:31,386 --> 00:49:32,771

It's the same for our pets.

00:49:33,461 --> 00:49:33,671

Charlotte Gray: Yeah.

00:49:33,671 --> 00:49:36,281

I mean, it's probably one of the most

rea, like one of the most common reasons

00:49:36,281 --> 00:49:42,571

I see reactivity in a lot of the patients

is often there's underlying pain there.

00:49:42,781 --> 00:49:45,661

And we've had a few cases where

we've ended up kind of saying, look,

00:49:45,661 --> 00:49:50,431

go for X-rays, or We've got under

physio care because of can see.

00:49:51,801 --> 00:49:55,071

Like changes in their gait or

their posture, and sometimes their

00:49:55,071 --> 00:49:58,401

reactivity more heightened and

that's when we know, right, that

00:49:58,431 --> 00:49:59,811

there's something else going on here.

00:49:59,811 --> 00:50:02,781

So, yeah, it's, it's

certainly can't be overlooked.

00:50:02,841 --> 00:50:08,331

Any change, subtle kind of change in

behaviour, energy levels kind of overall

00:50:08,331 --> 00:50:10,941

demeanor is, is usually quite significant.

00:50:10,941 --> 00:50:12,141

So if in doubt

00:50:12,381 --> 00:50:12,671

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:50:12,711 --> 00:50:14,336

Charlotte Gray: don't hesitate

to reach out to your bet.

00:50:16,336 --> 00:50:16,726

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.

00:50:16,726 --> 00:50:17,656

So important.

00:50:18,046 --> 00:50:18,556

Perfect.

00:50:18,556 --> 00:50:21,616

So our final question here is

how can pet parents build a

00:50:21,616 --> 00:50:25,786

more positive partnership style

relationship with their vet Charlotte?

00:50:26,361 --> 00:50:27,231

Charlotte Gray: Yeah, I think,

00:50:27,941 --> 00:50:28,061

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I.

00:50:28,131 --> 00:50:30,801

Charlotte Gray: think the, the

trick is being open and honest.

00:50:30,891 --> 00:50:34,371

Don't hesitate about having

that conversation with them.

00:50:34,371 --> 00:50:38,311

Like we said, if you are anxious or you're

worried about your anxious dog I think

00:50:38,311 --> 00:50:42,001

there's gonna be so much trust if you feel

that you can actually openly discuss this.

00:50:42,251 --> 00:50:44,831

And you know, there's no harm in.

00:50:45,546 --> 00:50:49,986

If you have done a bit of research and

want to kind of make suggestions and

00:50:49,986 --> 00:50:52,686

treatment plans, or at least sitting

down and discussing that fully with,

00:50:52,836 --> 00:50:56,616

with your vet so you can both make an

informed decision together and a little

00:50:56,616 --> 00:50:59,736

bit more of a plan that you know you're

both on board with, then yeah, I.

00:50:59,736 --> 00:51:03,516

think that's kind of the best way to

establish that trust that you need.

00:51:05,166 --> 00:51:06,391

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

Definitely so important.

00:51:07,596 --> 00:51:07,686

Right.

00:51:07,686 --> 00:51:09,816

Our quick fire round just to wrap up then.

00:51:10,116 --> 00:51:13,926

So, Charlotte, what's your

favorite dog breed to treat?

00:51:14,561 --> 00:51:16,991

Charlotte Gray: Oh, I think

that's a really mean question.

00:51:17,526 --> 00:51:19,086

Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:

I know it is, isn't there?

00:51:19,326 --> 00:51:20,376

You can have more than one.

00:51:20,466 --> 00:51:21,576

We're not allowed favorites.

00:51:22,001 --> 00:51:24,551

Charlotte Gray: I know I, but

I think, well, I'm a caucus