In an exclusive interview with FrenchieBreed.com, Dr Emma Milne, a distinguished veterinary surgeon and founder of Vets Against Brachycephalism, shares her profound insights on contemporary pet welfare challenges, the evolution of veterinary medicine, and the critical importance of responsible pet ownership. With decades of experience in clinical practice, advocacy, and public education, Dr. Milne offers a compelling perspective on issues ranging from breeding practices to pet nutrition and the future of veterinary care.
Dr. Milne's candid responses reflect her unwavering commitment to animal welfare and her dedication to fostering better understanding between pet owners and veterinary professionals. Her expertise, particularly in addressing concerns about extreme breeding practices and pet nutrition, provides valuable insights for our readers who seek to make informed decisions about their pets' health and well-being.
Credit: emmamilnevet.
Professional Background & Advocacy
Q: As the founder of Vets Against Brachycephalism, how do you see the movement evolving in terms of influencing breeding practices and public awareness globally? What successes and challenges have you observed since its founding in 2017?I think we have done well to get
organisations and vets from 66 countries. One of the biggest challenges has
been the abuse of people who have signed up. In the early days there was a lot of
bullying and harassment. There is just no place for that, in my view. Everyone
is allowed an opinion. I think fear of repercussions probably stops a lot of
vets signing up.
Q: Your work spans
multiple aspects of veterinary medicine - from clinical practice to advocacy
and education. How has this multifaceted approach enhanced your ability to
effect change in animal welfare?
Dr Milne: I think I was
incredibly lucky to have the media platform that being on television gave me.
It allowed me to reach many more people and animals than just being a vet in
clinical practice. I have loved the opportunity to be involved with education.
It’s something I think is really important and I love exchanging views and
hearing from other vets, nurses and the public.
Current Trends & Concerns
Dr Milne: Many! There are
so many extreme body features being selected for now such as tiny legs and long
backs, huge skin folds, oversized ears, fold cats, hairless animals and so on.
It’s almost like people want to push animals’ bodies as far as possible just to
see if they can. So many of these animals are actively suffering, and far from
being capable of even having the most basic quality of life that we would
expect for dogs and cats. It’s many other species too like rabbits, small
mammals and horses to mention a few. Also, we are seeing a huge spike in
mutilations such as ear cropping, which is just totally horrific.
These extreme
body shapes not only affect our pets’ physical health, but we are preventing
them from doing all the things that make them what they are. They should be
able to sleep, communicate, breath, run without pain, groom, climb, dig and
play. We are taking everything away from them for the sake of human vanity and greed.
Q: Having worked as
a clinical nutrition advisor, what common misconceptions about pet nutrition do
you find most concerning, and how can veterinarians better educate clients
about this topic?
Dr Milne: Pet nutrition is
as hot a topic and divided as things like the vaccination debate, so I know lots
of people will disagree with me. For me, the raw feeding trend is simply
inexplicable. We know there are huge, very well-documented risks both for the animals and their owners, and there is virtually no evidence of the perceived benefits. I understand that some people are fearful of big food companies for
some reason, but why not cook the food? It’s the most basic form of food
hygiene. Personally, I think that science-based, optimal nutrition is a major
factor in the longer lives our pets are living. During my time as an advisor, I
have dealt with many cases where animals, especially puppies, have had
disastrous deformities and illnesses due to unbalanced, raw food diets.
I’m also very
concerned with the recent trend of people wanting to feed cats vegan food. While in theory, you can formulate a food with synthetic essential ingredients, the danger is that people will hear it’s OK and just go ahead with any vegan food. I guarantee that some cats will die. I also think the question
goes a little deeper. If a person is vegan, that is entirely their choice, but
cats are obligate carnivores. There are plenty of herbivorous, vegan pets out
there (all with their own specific needs to be met) so if you don’t want to
feed a meat-based diet, perhaps a cat isn’t the right pet for you. If people
started saying they wanted to feed rabbits steak, we would never even entertain
the idea.
I think the
education side is tricky because the camps are so divided. There is so much
conflicting advice online that it’s difficult for owners to know where to go. Often, if an individual vet offers educational advice, we are accused of being in the pockets of the big companies, so it’s difficult.
Future of Veterinary Medicine
Dr Milne: I think we need
to embrace new technologies but use them in sensible ways. Telemedicine and
AI may be great tools for the future, but they need to be used to maximise vets’
time. We have a global shortage of vets, and these technologies shouldn’t aim
to replace vets but make us more efficient and able to accomplish more. Apps
and such tools to help owners remember appointments and schedules for
preventative care are great. I love hearing about what’s coming along. As a very busy human patient, anything that makes my access to healthcare easier is very welcome!
Credit: emmamilnevet.
Animal Behaviour & Human-Animal Bond
Q: Your interest in
animal behaviour has been evident throughout your career. How has your
understanding of the human-animal bond evolved, and how does this influence
your approach to veterinary medicine?
Dr Milne: The human-animal
bond is immense and so important. However, I do feel that quite often we mean
well, but we get so much wrong. We live in an era now where everyone wants
instant gratification, and not enough people stop asking themselves, just because they want a pet, if it means they should have one. We see so many
inappropriate choices of pet and breed, driven by social media and celebrity
endorsement. The social and behavioural needs of pets are as important, if not
more so, than their physical needs.
Often, those “mental health” needs are massively misunderstood and are probably the reason that a lot of animals are relinquished. We keep cats with other cats, and we keep rabbits on their own
and don’t let them express normal behaviours like scratching and digging. A lot
of totally innate, natural pet behaviour is really inconvenient to us! We
should always research what our animals’ needs are and be honest with ourselves
about whether we can meet them. Sadly, the humans are letting their side of the
bond down a lot more than the animals are!
Public Health & Education
Q: Given your
experience during major health crises, how do you see the veterinary
profession's role in public health evolving, particularly in the context of
zoonotic diseases?
Dr Milne: I can’t answer this, sorry. Not much experience with that.
Q: As someone
passionate about educating the next generation through your books and public
engagement, what key messages about animal welfare do you find resonate most
effectively with different age groups?
Dr Milne: I think we have
to start educating children about animals’ needs and how to make the right
choices. I think they are more open and empathetic, and we are hugely missing
an opportunity to change traditional poor practices by not getting into
schools. One of the problems with writing books is that we are often preaching
to the converted. We need to reach other audiences, and I think children are the way forward!
Conclusion
Dr Milne's thoughtful reflections on pet welfare and veterinary medicine underscore the complex challenges facing pet owners and veterinary professionals today. Her emphasis on education, particularly for younger generations, highlights a crucial path forward in improving animal welfare standards and responsible pet ownership.
As we navigate the evolving landscape of pet care, Dr Milne's insights remind us that while the human-animal bond is precious, it comes with significant responsibilities. Her call for more informed decision-making in pet ownership and her practical advice on nutrition and welfare provide a valuable framework for current and prospective pet owners.
Her books are available on Amazon for readers interested in exploring Dr. Milne's work further. These publications offer comprehensive insights into veterinary medicine and animal welfare, reflecting her years of expertise and commitment to educating pet owners and professionals. You can explore her collection here: [Dr Milne Amazon Author Page].
Additionally, Dr Milne has advocated for responsible breeding practices through various platforms. Her impactful message about the welfare implications of breeding flat-faced animals can be found in this informative video:
We sincerely thank Dr. Milne for sharing her expertise and candid perspectives with our readers. Her continued advocacy for animal welfare, extensive published works, and dedication to public education inspire all those working towards better standards of care in the veterinary field.
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