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 stare at me?
Many households in the UK include one or more cats as part of the family. Our feline companions have learned to communicate with us through various methods. Staring is one of them. Understanding the meaning behind it can…
September 23, 2026
• 31 shares
What does it mean if my dog has a low PCV blood result?
Your vet may recommend a blood test for your dog for several reasons. It could be part of a wellness screen, a pre-anaesthetic health screen, or a diagnostic aid to investigate ill-health. One of the measurements within…
How much of a risk are cats in spreading bird flu?
Bird flu, otherwise known as avian influenza, is one of many influenza virus infections that exist. As the name suggests, this group of influenza viruses predominantly affects birds. However, incidents in the news have h…
June 29, 2026
• 146 shares
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
• 46 shares