Growing up in Glasgow, Fiona graduated from the city's veterinary school in 2005 before relocating to Scotland's north-east where she worked as a companion animal and exotic animal vet for several years. A desire to volunteer at a charity vet clinic in a Pacific Island nation brought her to the Southern Hemisphere where she has since settled in New Zealand. Although private practice has been the mainstay of her work, Fiona has continued to support not-for-profits through additional volunteering in a South American vet clinic, and regular voluntary support of a local wildlife hospital alongside becoming a conservation researcher. Through these roles she has developed particular interests in feline behaviour, husbandry and symptom recognition in exotic species, and wildlife rehabilitation and research.
Her clinical articles are edited by David Harris BVSc MRCVS for the UK readership.
Latest articles by Fiona Gilston
Do Irish Wolfhounds make good pets?
Getting a new pet is an exciting time for any household, and when it comes to getting a dog, there are a lot of breeds to choose from. Part of understanding what breed would suit your lifestyle best, is recognising the h…
January 13, 2026
• 31 shares
What does it mean if my cat has raised SDMA blood result?
Dr Fiona Gilston BVMS MVetSci (Cons. Med.) Advancements in veterinary medicine allow vets to screen and monitor for many health conditions. An increase in available blood tests to diagnose conditions also improves…
November 18, 2025
• 23 shares
What dog breed is at the highest risk of cancer?
Getting a new dog can be an exciting time. When it comes to choosing the right dog for your family, there is a lot to consider. From the myriad of pure breeds to the variety of a mixed breed, there are so many options to…
June 30, 2025
• 60 shares
The vet says my dog has haemangiosarcoma - what does that mean?
Finding out that a loved one has cancer can be scary and overwhelming. Whether it’s a family member or a beloved pet, a cancer diagnosis can trigger a lot of questions and worries about what is next. Thanks to modern med…
June 17, 2025
• 30 shares
How do you treat abscesses in dogs?
Our dogs can get up to all sorts of mischief. Occasionally, this can result in an infection, which may lead to an abscess. How an abscess affects your dog depends on the size and location of the abscess. These factors al…
June 3, 2025
• 21 shares
Why does my cat tap me with their paw?
Anyone who has shared their home with a cat will no doubt have experienced a variety of ways in which their cat communicates with them. One of the common methods your cat may use is a tap from a paw. Your cat’s general b…
February 3, 2025
• 162 shares