Instagram story viewer> @thedickvet> Posts

Edinburgh’s Veterinary School

@thedickvet

12.9K

followers

79

following

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a world leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical practice.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Today is Pet Anxiety Awareness Day, a perfect time to share some top tips from our vets to keep your pets calm this Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Although this can be a fun time for humans, it can be challenging for our companion animals, negatively impacting their welfare and leading to problematic behaviours.

Dr Kevin McPeake, European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine and Head of the Behaviour Clinic at our Hospital for Small Animals, encouraged owners of pets that get anxious at this time of year to start making plans now.

He said “There are a wide array of management and treatment strategies available. Implementing simple management measures can help your pets cope better in stressful situations. Veterinary support is available for those where such measures are not enough, as well as for those animals who have struggled to cope before.”

Follow the link in our bio to read his suggestions to keep your pets calm this year.

If your pet is displaying unwanted behaviours, including aggression, reactivity, unwanted soiling and noise sensitivity, we can help. Ask your vet for a referral to our Behaviour Clinic for assessment.

#PetAnxietyAwarenessDay #Halloween #bonfireseason #PetCareTips by @thedickvet

166

1

6 days ago

Today is Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Day.

Members of our Client Care team, some of whom are pictured here, are the first point of contact for our clients and referring vets.

They have varied roles, from welcoming clients and patients when they arrive for their appointments, to answering client queries, booking appointments, processing advice requests from vets and coordinating referrals.

Thank you for everything that you do to help ensure the smooth running of the School's veterinary hospitals and practices throughout the year.

#veterinaryreceptionistappreciationday by @thedickvet

136

2

17 days ago

Congratulations to Marty, a 15-year-old cat with a big milestone story. He’s the 500th cat treated for hyperthyroidism with radioiodine (I-131) therapy at our Hospital for Small Animals.

Hyperthyroidism affects many older cats and can cause weight loss, increased appetite, restlessness and high blood pressure. Our bespoke Radioiodine Service, led by European and RCVS Specialists in Internal Medicine and supported by dedicated feline nurses, is one of a handful of veterinary centres in the UK to offer this therapy.

This painless treatment involves a single dose of radioactive medication in tablet form, removing the need for surgery or lifelong tablets.

After treatment, cats spend the three days in isolation, then move to our feline ward with split-level suites, enrichment, calming music, pheromone support and round-the-clock care, until they are ready to go home. Owners receive regular updates and photos of their pet throughout the stay, which can be as short as seven days.

Follow the link in our bio to read Marty's full story.

Do you have a hyperthyroid cat and are considering radioiodine treatment for them? Ask your vet about referral to our hospital.

#FelineHealth #Hyperthyroidism #Radioiodine by @thedickvet

402

0

20 days ago

On International Rabbit Day we are highlighting how seeking prompt veterinary help from knowledgeable and experienced rabbit vets can save bunnies with life-threatening conditions.

Benjamin Binkles was brought into our Dick Vet Rabbit and Exotics Practice by his owner as he had suddenly stopped eating and had a painful abdomen. As initial blood tests were normal, our exotics vet team performed a CT scan and targeted ultrasound scan to try to diagnose the problem.

We offer low-stress conscious imaging for most of our rabbit patients, allowing for high-definition images to be produced without the need for sedation or anaesthesia.

Scans showed that a pouch-like structure in the rabbit’s gastrointestinal tract called the sacculus rotundus was inflamed and thickened, a dangerous condition called sacculitis.

Thanks to his owner seeking prompt veterinary help and our team's rapid diagnosis, Benjamin Binkles received a tailored treatment plan and made a full recovery.

When rabbits stop eating, they risk developing gut stasis, a potentially life-threatening condition where the rabbit’s digestive tract slows down or completely stops. Gut stasis can be caused by several different things, and immediate veterinary attention must be sought if your rabbit stops eating, drinking, producing normal droppings, or shows behaviour that suggests they are in pain.

If you have concerns about the health of your rabbit, please make an appointment to see one of the vets at the Dick Vet Rabbit and Exotic Practice by emailing hfsareception@ed.ac.uk. For urgent and emergency appointments, please phone the Practice on 0131 650 7650.

#InternationalRabbitDay #RabbitHealth #GutStasis #ConsciousCT by @thedickvet

313

1

22 days ago

Today, on World Rhino Day, we are sharing how a greater one-horned rhino named Hugo has had his sight restored with help from an ophthalmologist from our Hospital for Small Animals.

Professor Claudia Hartley travelled to Whipsnade Zoo to perform cataract surgery on 23-year-old Hugo’s left eye.

While the surgical principles are similar to cataract surgery in humans and other animals, anaesthetising and operating on a 2.2-tonne rhino presents significant logistical and clinical challenges.

This is the second such procedure Professor Hartley has carried out on Hugo, having performed cataract surgery on his right eye four years previously. His sight issues had become apparent then, when zoo keepers noticed changes in his behaviour, including bumping into structures in his paddock. Four years on, and the cataract in Hugo’s left eye had worsened, compromising his eyesight once more.

Thanks to expert care and planning, the latest surgery was a success. After recovering from anaesthesia, Hugo received two weeks of eye drops to support healing. We are delighted to report that Hugo has made an excellent recovery and is able to see clearly again.

Amy Allan, from our hospital’s surgical theatre team, who assisted with Hugo’s surgery, said: “I feel incredibly honoured to be asked to be involved in this case. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an experience I will never forget. To be able to say I got to assist with cataract surgery on a rhino is simply amazing.”

Karla Berry, a veterinary nurse at Whipsnade Zoo, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Professor Hartley back to Whipsnade Zoo, and through collaborating with her and specialists on her team, we have been able to give Hugo the best care possible.”

#Rhino #WildlifeHealth #Cataract #Ophthalmology #WildlifeVets #WorldRhinoDay

photo courtesy of @officialzsl
@zslwhipsnadezoo by @thedickvet

159

2

a month ago

166

0

a month ago

Dogs with the same orthopaedic condition can experience very different levels of chronic pain, new research suggests.

A study of more than 200 dogs referred to our Hospital for Small Animals found substantial variation in owner-reported pain and quality of life, even among dogs with the same diagnosis.

The findings highlight the importance of assessing each dog individually, using validated pain assessment tools to help clinicians understand how a condition affects their daily life and tailor treatment accordingly.

The research also underpins approaches used by the Hospital for Small Animals’ recently opened Pain Clinic, which provides coordinated care for animals living with chronic pain.

To read the full news story, follow the link in our bio.

#VeterinaryMedicine #AnimalWelfare #ChronicPain #VeterinaryResearch Dr Cristina Bianchi (left) and Professor Dylan Clements (right) sitting in front of a plain white wall, posing with canine patients. by @thedickvet

206

0

a month ago

Huge congratulations to Dr Matt McHale, who is celebrating recent exam success.

Following the completion of his residency with us, Matt has become a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Dermatology (DipECVD).

His achievement reflects several years of clinical training, research projects and exams. Matt now joins an elite community of European Specialists working around the world.

We wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.

With over 50 European and American Diplomates working across the various referral services in our hospital, clients and referring vets can be confident that we offer the highest standards of clinical care.

We have seven clinical residencies across several specialties open for applications until 30 September. For more information, visit https://vet.ed.ac.uk/clinical/training

#Dermatology #Specialist #VeterinaryHospital by @thedickvet

184

2

a month ago

“You somehow managed to make a dog having brain radiotherapy think she was simply going to spend the day with her friends.”

This message from Miah’s owners captures what we strive for every day at our practices and hospitals: advanced clinical care delivered with genuine compassion.

Miah is a ball-obsessed, nine-year-old Labrador who was referred to our Hospital for Small Animals after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

She had a planned course of radiotherapy using our VitalBeam linear accelerator, with her treatment plan designed by our Specialist-led team.

What stayed with us most was Miah’s attitude on arriving each morning: tail wagging, eyes bright, and looking forward to spending time with our radiotherapy team – and they loved spending time with her, too.

During treatment, Miah’s owners noticed encouraging changes: Miah had improved balance and more energy, and returned to her favourite pastime: endless games of fetch.

Miah will continue with monitoring and follow-up scans as we track her progress – but right now, she’s doing really well, and we’re delighted to have been part of her care.

*Sound up at 45 seconds to hear her owner's reaction*

Follow the link in our bio to read Miah’s full story

#VeterinaryOncology #Radiotherapy #PatientCare by @thedickvet

255

3

a month ago

188

3

a month ago

A huge welcome to eight residents who have joined the clinical teams at the Hospital for Small Animals, Dick Vet Equine and Dick Vet Farm Animal Practice this month.

These vets will train with us for four years as they work towards a Professional Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVetMed) and European College Specialist status.

Our School is one of the largest providers of professional clinical training in the world and welcomes over 25 vets each year to continue their postgraduate clinical training with us.

We currently have more than 85 interns and residents from all over the world, training full-time in our veterinary hospitals, general practices and Easter Bush Pathology under the supervision of more than 50 European, American and RCVS Specialists.

While with us, they will gain vital knowledge, skills and experience in their clinical field of choice.

Seven clinical residencies are currently open for application until 30 September 2026. Visit the vacancy pages on our website for more information.

#PostgraduateStudy #VeterinaryCareers #ClinicalTraining #dvetmed #Anaesthesia #cardiologyresident #ophthalmology #DiagnosticImaging #smallruminant #equinesurgery #exoticmedicine #neurologyresident by @thedickvet

336

1

a month ago

A novel assessment approach could help improve pig welfare on smallholder farms in low- and middle-income countries.

Developed by an international research team, including experts from the School's Animal Welfare Centre, the framework can be adapted to local farming conditions.

A pilot study across 110 smallholder pig farms in northern Vietnam showed the approach was practical to use and identified access to drinking water and poor body condition as common welfare concerns.

Experts note the framework will support more consistent welfare assessment and inform practical improvements for farmers, researchers and policymakers.

To find out more, follow the link in our bio.

#AnimalWelfare #PigWelfare #Livestock #SustainableAgriculture by @thedickvet

92

0

a month ago