What Your Vet Wishes You Knew About Pet Care

What Your Vet Wishes You Knew About Pet Care

Author: Zoetis January 5, 2026 Duration: 30:57

WHATSAPP YOUR PET QUESTION VOICENOTES TO: 087 77 54 555

Pet owners often struggle to recognise when their beloved companions are experiencing pain or discomfort, mistaking serious health issues for normal signs of ageing or quirky behaviour.

In our debut episode of Vets Talk Pets we look at how routine check-ups can uncover hidden health problems and why seemingly minor changes in behaviour warrant attention. We learn about everything from crate training puppies to identifying pain signals in cats & dogs and offer practical guidance on when to seek veterinary care.

Your hosts are Stephen Walsh and Lesley Hobson are experienced veterinary surgeons. Both bring extensive clinical experience from practice, with Stephen having worked across multiple countries and Lesley coming from a farming background. They're passionate about improving pet welfare through owner education.

The podcast is produced by DustPod.io for Zoetis, an animal health company.


THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Why Stephen and Lesley became vets
Challenges and Emotional Aspects of Being a Vet
Personal Pet Stories
Listener Questions and Advice
Identifying Health Issues in Pets

QUOTES

  • To make the crate comfortable, put things in there that they like and things that smell like their owners. Something like an old t shirt that you're wearing during the day. 
  • Think of a cage as your dog's bedroom where they want to go when they feel worried or if they want to rest.
  • Monitoring your pets activities is important. But I think the most important thing is just seeing your vet at least annually, or as they get older maybe even twice a year.
  • Some of the advice I give graduates is to tell the owners you want to investigate. You get bloods back and they're normal. That's not a failure. That's a result. You've ruled out lots of things.


ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Stephen Walsh: 
With almost a decade in small animal veterinary experience, Stephen has worked in Ireland, UK, New Zealand and most recently Sydney Australia. In April 2022 he joined Zoetis in a veterinary role, embracing new challenges and opportunities that have since defined his career path.

Lesley Hobson:
Raised on a farm and deeply involved in the local pony club, it was only natural for Lesley to set her sights on becoming a vet from an early age. After graduating from University College Dublin’s Veterinary School, Lesley worked in various companion animal practices across the UK and Ireland. In 2012, Lesley joined Zoetis, where she helps Irish vets and pet owners stay up to date with the latest developments in key disease areas. At home, she has a very cute pet hamster named Honey.


ABOUT ZOETIS

As the world’s leading animal health company, we are driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After 70+ years innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness, we continue to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide - from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and technologies make a difference in Ireland and over 100 countries.

Find out more at:  https://www.zoetispets.com/ie-en/

KEYWORDS

#Vets #PetHealth #osteoarthritis #petbehavior #petsymptoms
 


Ever wondered what your vet is really thinking during a check-up? Vets Talk Pets Ireland pulls back the curtain on the world of veterinary care, offering a genuine look at the decisions made behind the clinic door. Hosted by practicing vets Stephen Walsh and Lesley Hobson, this monthly podcast is built on decades of hands-on experience. Instead of impersonal advice, you’ll hear real stories from their consultation rooms-the curious cases, the common worries, and the subtle signs they’re trained to spot. It’s like having a friendly, professional chat with your own vet, designed to demystify pet health for the whole family. Each episode focuses on the practical questions that occupy pet owners: how to tell if an animal is in pain, decoding odd behaviors, or figuring out when a symptom is truly an emergency. The guidance is always straightforward and reliable, cutting through online noise to give you clear information. Produced by Zoetis, this series turns complex medical topics into accessible conversations, helping you feel more confident and connected to your pet’s wellbeing. Tune in for a dose of reassurance and knowledge that makes caring for your dog, cat, or other companion a little easier.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 3

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