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 dog zone out?
Dogs are usually very interactive and responsive animals and make great companions as a result. So, when our pet suddenly, occasionally or regularly appears to zone out, staring into space and not acknowledging us, it ca…
October 8, 2023
• 23 shares
Why does my cat use the litter tray right after I clean it?
There are many curious behaviours in cats noted by their owners, and litter tray habits are one of them. If your cat uses one at all, you may occasionally or regularly notice that it uses it right after you have cleaned…
June 26, 2023
• 239 shares
Why do dogs howl?
Most of us will be familiar with the various vocalisations made by pet dogs. If you’ve had your dog for a while, chances are you’ve worked out some of the reasons behind its bark or its whine. But one of the sounds that…
June 16, 2023
• 13 shares
Why does my rat have a head tilt?
Rats make great pets, but sadly they are prone to several health conditions in their short lives that vets see all too frequently. One of these is a head tilt, where the rat appears to have its head permanently cocked to…
May 18, 2023
• 17 shares
Canine liver diets – What are they for and do they work?
The liver is the largest internal organ of our canine companions. Made up of large lobes, it sits tucked up behind the diaphragm, protected by the lower rib cage. It has an amazing ability to regenerate and can even regr…
April 29, 2023
• 13 shares
Why do cats hate water?
We probably all know the theory that cats hate water. Although all cats can naturally swim and big cat species such as tigers regularly wallow in pools, a quick scroll through online video sites certainly supports the li…