Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance Podcast Episode 23a - Russell Chandler in conversation with Drew Tootal

Russell Chandler in conversation with Drew Tootal

Drew Tootal - BSc BVSc MScR MRCVS

Drew graduated from the University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science in 2004 and joined the Royal Army Veterinary Corps just a few months later.

He spent most of his career working with Military Working Dogs, selecting them for training, looking after them during their time in service, and even deploying with them to Iraq!

He spent six and a half years being in command of the Veterinary Training Squadron at the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray, caring for the Regiment’s dogs and horses, and being a referral centre for all of Defence’s working dogs across the UK and deployed on overseas operations. This has included breeds such as Labradors, Spaniels, and German Shepherds, plus a few more unusual breeds like the Irish Wolfhounds and even a German Jagdterrier! Some of his most enjoyable times in the Army have been caring for the ‘old and bold’ dogs as they prepare to leave service and become family pets. He was involved in lameness assessments, radiographic surveys looking for signs of arthritis, treatment, and exercise plans, and managing work and training are all parts of a holistic plan tailor-made for each dog. He has a passion for improving quality of life in dogs and am very excited to be able to partake in Nupsala Musculoskeletal Clinic’s goal to help improve the treatment and management of chronic pain.

Drew describes his fascinating professional background as a military veterinary surgeon.  He talks about how this got him interested in small animal OA. Interesting similarities and differences between military working dogs and pet dogs are described.  

Drew walks us though the need for the development of a specialised clinic devoted to clinic. We get a flavour of how they assess and manage their cases. 

Intra-articular therapies are discussed and the obstacles to their widespread adoption are outlined.  The differences between how likely equine vets and small animal vets are to reach for orthobiologics make for interesting listening.     

Drew also comments on the effects of adiposity on OA in pets.

All-in-all it was great to have Drew on the show to hear his unique perspectives on veterinary OA management.   

We hope that you find this podcast useful. 

Acknowledgements

VOA is grateful to Nupsala MSK Clinic for their generous sponsorship and for making the VOA Podcast freely available worldwide. 

Thanks to everyone at VOA who made this podcast possible, especially our producer, Kizzy Bass. 

More information on Drew

Nupsala MSK clinic https://nupsala-msk.co.uk/

Finally

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Podcasts recorded 17^th February 2023