Ben the Vet

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Ben the Vet Small animal vet called Ben hoping to be an online voice for my patients

09/09/2026

There is a new ‘It dog’ that has slowly been taking the reins from the Frenchie. And it is the Dachshund. As a vet, I see the appeal, but this trend does worry me.

I worry these dogs are just the latest iteration of a movement towards humans selecting dogs based on how they look, in spite of problems the ‘look’ causes for the dog.

Like the frenchies before them these dogs are often thought of as lazy, or needing less exercise, when actually the reason for being less active is a body that causes them to tire quickly - and I worry about how much undiagnosed pain these dogs experience due the high strain the joints in their shortened limbs take.

And I worry about the wave of paralysed dachshunds that awaits in the coming years as all the young dachshunds around right now reach middle age, and the emotional challenges their owners will face.

I think just as is the case with frenchies, dachshunds will wane in popularity in the next few years - and I worry what body shape will become popular next.

I hope for the welfare of my patients that it’s a dog shaped one

08/09/2026

5 common health problems in German Shepherds.

By no means will all Shepherds be affected, if you are getting a puppy finding a breeder who health tests as extensively as possible will help reduce risk of some of the conditions listed, though some cannot be effectively tested for.

As a vet I would highly discourage any breeding from a shepherd with a sloped back.

There are unfortunately a breed with quite an extensive list of predispositions, only some of which I could cover here

06/09/2026

4 health problems that are especially common in Pomeranians.

Any Pomeranian owners watching - what is your experience with the health of the breed? Any common conditions that I’ve missed?

Let me know what breed you would like me to do next.

05/09/2026

5 breeds of dog I personally wouldn’t have as a vet.

I realise this video might upset some people but that isn’t the intention! I know how much people adore these breeds of dog but I also think if they walked in my shoes as a vet for a few weeks and saw the health problems and the difficult or upsetting situations, they would look differently at these breeds.

The new Jo Malone London advert left me feeling very upset as a vet.So much progress has been made educating the general...
05/09/2026

The new Jo Malone London advert left me feeling very upset as a vet.

So much progress has been made educating the general public about the high rate of severe health problems that brachycephalic dogs experience over the last few years.

As a vet I see the heartbreak many of the owners of these dogs experience when they lose these dogs at a young age to IVDD, or their dogs has to undergo airway surgery to help them breathe well enough to be able to experience the things normal dogs do. And I meet so many owners overwhelmed by the stress and cost of looking after these sweet little dogs.

This is not a judgement of Tom Hardy and his clearly very loved dog, but society does really need to stop normalising these dogs.

Brachycephaly is a skull malformation that has become accepted as a normal feature of a dog. And brands have a role to ensure they are not perpetuating the idea that these breeds are fashionable, which only leads to more suffering

04/09/2026

5 breeds of dog with some of the highest rates of cancer.

Sadly the big C is something that affects our pets too, with multiple risk factors involved. The genetics of a breed has a very strong predisposing impact on which types of cancer a dog is more likely to get, and sadly some breeds are plagued by this horrible disease.

This post is not intended to be nightmare fuel for anyone, but I think although certain breeds being predisposed to certain cancers is something most vets are well versed in, many people are unaware of how strong these genetic predispositions can be.

If you own one of these breeds, or any breed for that matter, know what their predispositions are. Not all types of cancer will cause predictable clinical signs, but some will, so know what to look out for.

Episode 6: Raising a Happy Puppy What makes the difference between a puppy who simply grows up and one who grows into a ...
04/09/2026

Episode 6: Raising a Happy Puppy

What makes the difference between a puppy who simply grows up and one who grows into a confident, happy family dog?

In this episode, Ben the Vet is joined by Rebecca Norton-Childs, founder of Pupstarts, licensed breeder and dog trainer, to explore why those first few months matter so much.

They discuss:

• Why behaviour problems can have such a serious impact on dogs
• The crucial socialisation window
• What responsible breeders can do during a puppy's first 8 weeks
• How puppy buyers can continue socialisation safely at home
• Understanding breed instincts and giving dogs appropriate outlets
• How breeders and owners can work together to set puppies up for success

Whether you're planning to buy a puppy, have a young dog already, or are a breeder, there are plenty of practical ideas to take away from this episode.

Listen to Episode 6: Raising a Happy Puppy of The Dog’s Voice now.

Listen via the the DBRG website, or your chosen streaming platform!

01/09/2026

Is it a nightmare getting your cat into the carrier for a vet visit?

Here are some tips for making it a smoother process!

30/08/2026

Being a responsible and caring dog owner means respecting them as a dog, and not taking advantage of their trust for views on social media.

30/08/2026

Sometimes as a vet I feel some inner conflict between ensuring I can maintain trust of pet owners I meet, by being as non-judgmental as possible, so that I can care for their individual animal as well as I can, and wanting to fulfill the moral obligation I have as a vet to call out the suffering caused by trends towards innately unhealthy breeds of dog and cat.

I think a lot of vets probably feel the same and feel uncomfortable discussing this issue for this reason?

Does anyone else feel this conflict?

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