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 sebaceous gland adenoma in dogs?
As our domesticated pets live longer lives, the potential for diseases to occur in their lifetime also increases. Of the common conditions afflicting our canine companions, lumps and bumps often result in a trip to the v…
April 24, 2024
• 19 shares
"Weak" Immune systems: Immunocompromising disorders of dogs
As you and your dog go about your daily chores and routines, the immune system is constantly on patrol, scouring the body for signs of impending invasion and weeding out abnormal or cancerous cells. Just like a healthy h…
Why does my dog only eat from my hand?
It is often said that the way to a dog’s heart is through its stomach. We often see dogs as lovers of food, eager to get into everything and anything. But for some dogs, getting them to eat food can be a challenge. And t…
Is sedation before euthanasia right for dogs?
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest parts of sharing our lives with an animal companion. The word euthanasia comes from the Greek language and means ‘good death’. It is used to describe a stress-free en…
January 30, 2024
• 319 shares
What is Aortic Stenosis in Dogs?
The heart is a powerful muscle that gives our animals life. Made up of four chambers, separated by valves, it is responsible for pumping oxygen and blood around the body. If the structure of the muscle or valves is…
December 1, 2023
• 7 shares
Do I need to vaccinate my dog against herpesvirus?
All viruses have the potential to impact the health, welfare and survival of those animals they infect. Where a virus causes obvious symptoms, infection may be easy to detect. However, some viruses can cause less obvious…
November 26, 2023
• 19 shares