Vet Dr Scott Miller will be a familiar face to many thanks to his regular appearances on our TV screens. Born in Brisbane, Australia, Scott began his veterinary career working at the largest animal hospital in Australia, the RSPCA clinic in Sydney, which at the time was the home of TV series ‘Animal Hospital’. After a year’s experience treating all creatures great and small, Scott ventured to the UK, working all over the country before settling in East London, where he regularly began working in the media.
Scott regularly appears on BBC Breakfast News, The Paul O’ Grady Show, GMTV, Blue Peter and CBBC and was the regular vet on ITV’s This Morning for six years.
Scott is the current owner and principal veterinarian at two veterinary practices in SW London, is married to Zoe, with whom he has three children as well as dogs Betty and Dave and cat Rickets.
Currently appearing in Channel 4’s Vet on the Hill, Scott found some time to chat with Forever Hounds Trust about all things greyhound and lurcher.
Scott, thank you so much for talking with us today. Tell us what you think makes greyhounds and lurchers such great animals.
These breeds of dog have such a lovely, gentle temperament and are thoroughly adorable pets and patients.
Do you see many of them in your vet practice, and are there any common problems they come in with?
We do see a few and generally because of their keenness to run and thin skin it is usually things like torn nails or skin wounds that need suturing.
Is there anything owners can do to help protect their dogs developing problems that need medical attention?
Annual checks are always key to picking up conditions early and discussing your dog’s health with your vet. Using regular parasite control and vaccinations also ensure your pet is kept safe against preventable diseases. Brushing teeth is also a good habit to get into, as many rescue greyhounds come in with dental disease.
Many of our dogs come from the racing industry, but we also take care of dogs that are found stray and end up in pounds as well as those that are surrendered to us. We think rescued dogs make great pets. Do you agree?
Absolutely! What I love about these dogs is the irony that they come from the racing industry yet they are incredibly lazy! They just love to lay around and have a fuss! They are incredibly sweet natured dogs who suit a wealth of different home environments.
Is there anything people should be particularly aware of if they are thinking of getting a rescue dog?
Just ensure you have the time, energy and budget to ensure you give these dogs a better life than the one they have been rescued from. These dogs are incredibly loyal and grateful, and bringing home a rescue hound can be an incredibly special and humbling experience for any would-be dog owner.
Tell us why you love working with animals.
They give unconditional love as pets, and wildlife give splendour and wonder to the world. We must do more to respect and protect animals as custodians of our planet.
What are you working on at the moment?
Vet on the Hill series 6 is back very soon with lots of interesting cases including working with tigers on the Isle of Wight, rescuing seals in Cornwall, helping treat dogs saved from the dog meat trade of Korea and completing a conscious surgery on a chicken!
Doing and Dozing with the Hounds