During this busy and high-pressure period, vets play a crucial role. They not only handle emergency cases but also provide routine care and advice to farmers on disease prevention strategies for entire herds.

From April 7-10, XLVets Ireland, in collaboration with MSD Animal Health, invites you to join us on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at veterinary care during one of the busiest times of the year.

Over four days, we’ll shadow a different vet and their team each day, bringing you inside the world of veterinary practices as they juggle everything from emergency cases, and call outs covering difficult calving cases or disease outbreaks, to routine check-ups, vaccinations, and consultations about nutrition or herd management.

You’ll also be introduced to the vet's practice, meet other vets, and get a glimpse into the small animal workload and cases that these mixed practices regularly handle.

Paul graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) in 2014 and began working at Kilcoyne Veterinary in Co. Sligo the same year. He became a partner in 2019 and now co-manages the practice with Conor Kilcoyne.

Established in 1924, Kilcoyne & Barnes Veterinary Services relocated to its current premises in 2023.

This mixed practice, based in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, has five vets, one nurse, and six support staff, covering a full range of farm animal, equine, and companion animal services.

Kilcoyne and Barnes Veterinary has been a member of XLVets Ireland since 2014.

Tom graduated from UCD in the 90s and is one of two partners at Castlelands - Hourihane’s Veterinary Clinic, a mixed animal practice in Skibbereen, West Cork.

Established in 2008 through the merger of two veterinary clinics, Tom and his partner, Sean Hickey, have overseen the practice’s growth from a four-vet team to its current team of eight vets, two nurses, and four support staff.

Their newly renovated facility features a purpose-built large animal hospital, supporting their work with a caseload split of 60% large animals (mainly dairy) and 40% small animals.

Castlelands - Hourihane’s Veterinary Clinic has been a member of XLVets Ireland since 2024.

Sean graduated from UCD in 1998 and is one of two partners at Mulcair Veterinary, a mixed practice with clinics in Newport, Co. Tipperary, and Cappamore, Co. Limerick.

Sean started veterinary life as a farm animal vet, but as the years have progressed, he now spends most of this time practicing companion animal work.

Mulcair Veterinary Clinic operates with a team of 12 vets, five nurses, and 12 support staff across both locations.

Their recently built Newport clinic has tripled the number of consulting rooms and surgeries, featuring dedicated dog and cat areas.

The facility also houses Eye Vet, led by Natasha Mitchell, providing specialised ophthalmology services.

Mulcair Veterinary Clinic has been a member of XLVets Ireland 2010.

Donal graduated from UCD in 2000 and is sole principal at Slieve Bloom Veterinary, with four clinics based in Tullamore, Portarlington, and Birr. 

Since qualifying, he has worked in mixed general practice and has a particular interest in cattle health and production. On his home farm, Donal keeps suckler cows, sheep, and horses.

He is a former president of Veterinary Ireland and a former chairperson of the Food Animal Group of Veterinary Ireland.

Slieve Bloom Veterinary has a dedicated team of 14 vets, seven nurses, and eight support team members across all sites.

Slieve Bloom Veterinary has been a member of XLVets Ireland since 2010.

To watch the series, make sure to follow us on Instagram at @msdanimalhealthireland and @xlvets_ireland.

From April 7-10, we’ll be sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes content on Instagram Stories, offering you a unique glimpse into the life of a vet.