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
What is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, and do they make good pets?
For prospective dog owners, there are a lot of breed options to choose from. Many breeds have been around for hundreds of years, while others, such as the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, are relatively new …
June 2, 2026
• 28 shares
Are whippets really wimps? And are they good pets?
It is always an exciting time to get a new canine companion. With so many breeds to choose from, it is worth taking the time to learn about any prospective breed and how they might fit into your family and life. Whippets…
May 26, 2026
• 34 shares
Not just 'Fluid on the chest' - all about pleural effusions in pets
Sometimes, our pets can find themselves in breathing difficulty. There can be various causes of this but fluid in or around the lung tissues is a common cause in both cats and dogs. When the fluid forms within the air-fi…
April 2, 2026
• 44 shares
My cat has blood in his eye - what does it mean?
Cats’ eyes are adapted for hunting and surveying their surroundings. Their eyes, at optimal health, can detect subtle motions, and have much better low-light vision than we as humans do. Our pet cats are also very expres…
March 13, 2026
• 80 shares
How can I make sure my cat stays happy after my baby arrives?
Having a new baby can be both exciting and overwhelming, with adjustments in lifestyle, changes in routine, and lack of sleep. When you have a pet, there can be the added concern of how well they will adapt to the change…
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