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 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…
Why does my dog growl at other dogs?
Dogs communicate with each other in many ways. Like us, they use posture, facial expressions and vocal tones to signal how they feel. They are also very reliant on scent to identify those around them. But it is often the…
March 24, 2023
• 357 shares
Why does my rat pee so much?
Those that have welcomed pet rats into their home know how much fun these little critters can be. Full of personality, they thrive in groups and love to explore their surroundings. But compared to more common pets like c…
February 22, 2023
• 48 shares
Why should I feed my dog a low purine diet?
Humans have been influencing the appearance, health, and behaviour of their canine companions ever since domesticating them. Today, dogs come in all shapes and sizes, with a range of behavioural traits. With this diversi…
February 16, 2023
• 17 shares
Is it Safe to Let Your Dog Lick Your Fingers or Face?
Let’s face it: most of us who have the pleasure of sharing our homes with an animal, will likely have been licked by them at some point. If you have a dog that gets very happy and excited to see you, then you’ve probably…
January 21, 2023
• 367 shares
Can Cats Get Heart Failure?
Cats have a reputation of being aloof and elusive creatures. But those of us who share our lives with a cat, know that when they are with their favourite people, they can be very open and loving animals. However, despite…
December 13, 2022
• 24 shares