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
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
• 161 shares
What is a Boerboel and do they make good pets?
Although some breeds will always remain popular as pets, others will fall out of favour while newer, more unusual breeds may start to appear. One such breed is the boerboel (pronounced bor-bull), also known as the South…
January 27, 2025
• 40 shares
How to keep a cat indoors safe and happy
In the UK, there are an estimated 12.5 million pet cats, with 26% of UK households having at least one cat. Studies have also suggested that there are an additional 250,000 unowned or feral cats. Urban development and cl…
January 10, 2025
• 79 shares
Where's the best place to put a cat's water bowl?
How much your cat drinks can depend on the food they are given and whether they have an underlying health issue that affects their fluid intake. But it can also be affected by the options for water around the household.
Can dogs get skin tags?
With an average lifespan of 10 – 13 years, it is not uncommon for our pets to develop lumps and bumps at some point in their life. Skin growths come in many shapes and sizes, and some are of more concern than others. But…
September 22, 2024
• 17 shares
Calcium imbalance in cats - why does my cat have brittle bones?
Bones are an important structural component of the body. Healthy bones allow your pet to move freely, and express normal behaviours. Unhealthy bones on the other hand, can be a cause of pain, and they may impact your cat…
September 16, 2024
• 14 shares