The award has been granted to only a handful of practices and requires the achievement of high standards of care and a detailed understanding of the species.
Highcroft has three dedicated exotic species veterinary surgeons, including a European small mammal Specialist and four exotic species nurses, who have either obtained or are studying for their City and Guilds Exotic Species Veterinary Nursing Certificate.
The practice has a dedicated exotic species consulting room, waiting room, ward and an operating theatre, containing state-of-the-art equipment.
In addition to treating rabbits, both vets and nurses in the exotic species team lecture widely to promote the importance of providing a high standard of care to rabbits and to ensure that their welfare is optimised.
Dr Elisabetta Mancinelli DVM CertZooMed Dipl ECZM (Small Mammal) MRCVS heads the exotic species team at Highcroft. A European Veterinary Specialist in Zoological Medicine (Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery) and a RCVS Recognised Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, she said: "We are very proud to have been awarded Gold Status by the RWAF. We will continue to enhance the level of care we provide, not just to rabbits but to all exotic species and strive to improve the welfare of all animals under our care, in hospital and at home."
The practice has also strengthened its surgery services with the appointment of Dr Delphine Holopherne-Doran, European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia.
Ivan graduated from Bristol University in 1997. He worked in Hertfordshire before completing a surgical residency under the tutelage of Professor Peter Holt at Bristol University. Ivan has worked in referral centres in the UK and France. He is an RCVS Diplomate in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery and a Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery. Before joining Highcroft, he spent six years working as a senior staff surgeon at Bristol University.
Ed graduated from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in 1996. He worked in a mixed practice in Buckinghamshire before undertaking training positions at the RVC, University of Liverpool and the University of Cambridge. He passed the specialist Diploma examinations of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2003. He has previously been a senior surgeon and member of academic staff at the University of Bristol and has worked in private referral practice.
Delphine graduated from Maisons-Alfort (Paris) Vet School in 1998. After working as an equine vet, where she developed an interest in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia, she returned to vet school in Nantes where she ran the Anaesthesia department for 11 years. During this time, she gained a Master’s degree and a PhD in cardiovascular pharmacology and completed a residency, gaining European board certification in anaesthesia and analgesia, which led her to visit and train in universities around the world.
Highcroft Hospital Director Mr Chris Mayers said: “Ivan and Ed bring a wealth of experience in urinary tract surgery and, in particular, in urinary incontinence to Highcroft. The most common presentations are juvenile animals with ectopic ureters or urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (post-spay incontinence). Ivan and Ed offer an innovative, minimally-invasive procedure using cystoscopically-guided laser ablation for patients with intramural ectopic ureters. Interventional radiology techniques are also a major interest for the team providing new, minimally-invasive solutions for intrahepatic shunts. The two surgeons have firmly adopted Subcutaneous Ureteral Bypass Systems (SUBS) in treating cats with ureteral obstruction, typically caused by calculi.
"Delphine adds world-class expertise in anaesthesia and analgesia and is already making a huge contribution to our hospital. With a high degree of skill in managing cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology cases, Delphine boosts our ability to support highly challenging and complex patients. Her knowledge of the use of local and region blocks for treating highly challenging pain cases and the anaesthesia of complex cardiovascular patients provides outstanding care for patients and promotes the highest standard in analgesia."
Highcroft Veterinary Group is based at 615 Wells Road, Whitchurch, Bristol and can be contacted on 01275 832410.
Dr Sabela Atencia DVM MVM Dip-ECVIM CA MRCVS is an internal medicine specialist who holds the European Diploma in Small Animal Internal Medicine.
During her research for her Masters degree on muscular dystrophy in the Japanese Spitz breed, she contributed to knowledge of the underlying mutation of the disease, facilitating the development of a genetic test.
Sabela enjoys all aspects of canine and feline Internal Medicine, but is particularly interested in endoscopy, endocrinology and genetics.
Dr Owen Davies MA VetMB MVetMed MANZCVS(SAM) MRCVS, a veterinary medical oncology clinician, holds a Masters degree based on research into canine lymphoma.
Owen is interested in all aspects of medical oncology, especially haematopoietic malignancies, targeted therapy for cancer and paraneoplastic disease. He has recently completed a residency in veterinary oncology at the Royal Veterinary College and has just passed the DACVIM examinations in Oncology.
Dr Elisabetta Mancinelli DVM CertZooMed Dipl ECZM (Small Mammal) MRCVS is a European Veterinary Specialist in Zoological Medicine (Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery) and an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.
She was the first veterinary surgeon to undertake the European College of Zoological Medicine (ECZM) Residency in Small Mammal Medicine, which she completed at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh.
Elisabetta will lead and further expand the established exotic pet service at the Hospital.
Acting Hospital Director, Professor Stuart Carmichael said: "As we continue to extend the range of services and expertise we offer to our clients, we are delighted to welcome these three distinguished professionals to the team here at Highcroft. They will make a great contribution and it’s great to have them aboard."
Highcroft Veterinary Referrals is based at 615 Wells Road, Whitchurch, Bristol and can be contacted on 01275 832410.
Photo: Left to right: Dr Elisabetta Mancinelli, Dr Owen Davies, Dr Sabela Atencia
Researchers from Highcroft Veterinary Referrals, the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Zurich are asking veterinary surgeons to take part in a survey designed to identify the rate of complications associated with Angiostrongylus vasorum (lungworm) infection or treatment in dogs.
The research, which is led by Drs Kieran Borgeat, Jose Matos and David Connolly, is the first step of a larger project, which hopes to culminate in the development of a set of consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of lungworm in dogs.
The researchers say that the guidelines are needed because there is currently no consensus amongst veterinary practitioners as to how dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum (lungworm) are best treated. In addition, whilst there are anecdotal reports of adverse reactions after treatment, none are currently published in the literature.
The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and all participants who leave their email address will be entered into a prize draw for £100 worth of Amazon vouchers.
No pharmaceutical or food companies have been involved in the design or funding of the research, and approval has been granted by the RVC Ethics and Welfare Committee.
The survey will close on 1st May 2016, or when 1000 responses have been completed. All information entered into the questionnaire will be completely anonymous and contact information will be held in a confidential database and not shared with any third parties.
To take part, visit http://tinyurl.com/lungwormsurvey