Northern Ireland Veterinary Specialists

08/08/2024

🐾 Happy National Cat Day 🐈‍⬛ 🐈

From our pets to yours ❤️

08/08/2024

Really great post about the importance, relevance and inclusion of holistic quality care. At NiVS, we are very fortunate to work alongside our GP and OOH colleagues - seeing cases from all aspects, sharing knowledge and experience along with appreciating multiple prospectives. Collaboration is the way forward to achieving exceptional care.

Adam Grant's post to clearly states what I've experienced this first hand. His post: "The world needs both. Specialists excel at zooming in. They see the details to deepen our knowledge. Generalists excel at zooming out. They see around corners to broaden our view."
In my roles on the board and within various organizations as the "generalist", I've seen firsthand how this dynamic balance propels us forward. General practitioners provide comprehensive care and continuity, while specialists offer greater depth and precision. Together, we ensure our pets receive the best possible care, especially for complex medical challenges.
Let's celebrate and foster this collaboration to advance our field and improve patient outcomes! 🐾



Cromlyn House Veterinary Hospital MiNight Vet Lisburn

25/07/2024

🐾 Alfie
🏥 Referral - Spinal
🩺 Surgeon - Philip Smyth

Handsome Alfie was referred to NIVS because of severe pain in his neck and front legs, which quickly progressed as he lost the ability to stand. When he arrived at NIVS he was unable to move any of his legs, but he was still trying his best to wag his tail.

He was carried into the hospital on a stretcher and had an emergency CT scan. The scan identified a very large bulging disc in his neck that was compressing his spinal cord. He was transferred directly to the operating theatre for decompressive surgery.

The surgery went perfectly and he was immediately much more comfortable. Over the following three days he gradually regained function in his legs and was a much happier dog. He will continue to recover from surgery over the next few weeks and will have some physiotherapy exercises to complete, but he seems to be on the way to a full recovery. 💙

18/07/2024

🐾 Phoebe
🏥 Interventional Cardiology
🫀 Clinician – Julie Hamilton Elliott RCVS and EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology

Phoebe is an 8 month old French Bulldog who was diagnosed with severe pulmonic stenosis (PS) as a tiny puppy. This is a congenital heart disease which results in obstruction of blood flow through the pulmonary artery, a major blood vessel connecting the right side of the heart to the lungs. This obstruction puts extra pressure on the right heart resulting in heart wall thickening – with time these heart changes can result in collapse episodes, heart failure and death.

Phoebe underwent a general anaesthetic to have a pulmonary artery stent placed across the narrowed pulmonary artery (pictured below). This is a minimally invasive ‘key hole’ procedure with the heart accessed via a catheter placed through the skin, into the jugular vein. Phoebe experienced no complications and went home the following day with no surgical wounds or stitches to remove. Subsequent investigations showed a significant reduction in the pressure on her heart. ❤️

Pulmonary artery stent placement is a relatively new procedure for dogs and, to our knowledge, NIVS is the first centre in the whole of Ireland to perform it. Our cardiac interventional service is led by RCVS and EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology, Julie Hamilton Elliott. On this occasion, Julie collaborated with Dr Liz Bode from Chestergates Veterinary Hospital to perform Phoebe’s procedure, a great example of how we strive to provide the best standard of care for our patients at NIVS by sharing knowledge and experience with other specialist colleagues.

15/07/2024

👋 Have you met Toni? 🫀

Toni joined us filling the role of Cardiology/Medicine nurse. She works closely alongside Julie Hamilton Elliott and Alison Irwin. Toni has been a valued member of our team for a few months now; here’s what she has to say:

I started my journey in veterinary 15years ago and have been working as a Registered Veterinary Nurse for 12 years.
This has been across general practice and referral hospital; with large and small animals, exotics, small furries, birds, wildlife and I have even nursed a few wallabies. 🦘

Previous experience of working as a medicine nurse along with some cardiology nursing has lead me to working at NIVS.
I am thoroughly enjoying my new role here as the cardiology/medicine nurse.
I am excited for this role as it is allowing me to delve much deeper into cardiology, as well as continuing to nurse medical patients.
I also love that we are able to offer such a high standard of care to each and every patient we see here at NIVS. 💚

In my spare time I enjoying meeting up with friends, open water swimming and exploring new places to swim and/or walk.

11/07/2024

Martha is a 5yo Pug, who suffered a fractured jaw following a fall from a sofa. She underwent a CT scan to assess the injury and plan repair with metal plates and screws, ensuring that the tooth roots were avoided. X-rays were taken after surgery to check the repair.
Martha has subsequently made a full recovery and has returned to NiVS to have follow up x-rays as well as dental cleaning, polishing and extraction of some previously loose teeth. 🩷

10/07/2024

⁉️ Did you know we often accommodate placements for vet students?

Daniel recently spent a week with us. He is currently in his third year at the University of Surrey and has a keen interest in orthopaedics and soft tissue.

Daniel had this to say about his week with us:

‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my week here at NIVS on placement. The team has been incredibly welcoming and the care that is given to the animals here is amazing. The team of specialists have all taught me so much in only a week. I would highly recommend NIVS as a placement to any vet student interested in specialist practice.’

Best of luck and we hope to see you in the future Daniel!

09/07/2024

Alfie was a 10 month old Yorkshire Terrier who presented to Alison Irwin of our Internal Medicine Service for investigation for a shunt vessel, bypassing his liver, allowing toxins into his systemic circulation causing lethargy, depression and episodes of inco-ordination, as well impairing his growth. 😔
Following Alison’s investigations and medical stabilisation, our Soft Tissue Surgeon, Darren Barnes took Alfie to surgery, identifying the anomalous vessel and after checking this was the correct and only vessel with fluoroscopy (video x-ray), ligating the vessel.

The first 10 seconds of the video shows blood flow looping the loop and bypassing the liver. The last 3 seconds of the video shows a temporary clamp in place on the shunt vessel, and subsequent blood flow into the tree-like branches throughout the liver.

Alfie has subsequently made a full recovery and is now no longer receiving medication and we hope can lead a normal life here after. 💚

08/07/2024

👋 Have you met Rachael?

Rachael has worked in the veterinary industry for 8 years and was a part of NIVS from day one! She is our client care advisor who coordinates all of our referrals and is often the first point of contact you will have with us!
Rachael has a passion for animal welfare. She is proud to work here at NIVS as patient care is always given to the highest standards and specialist services are available. She enjoys communicating with referring veterinary practices, owners and the pets who come through our doors. Her main goal is to make the referral process as smooth as possible from the beginning. She understands how worrying and upsetting it is when your pets need specialised care for illnesses, diseases and injuries that are of a complex nature.

Rachael has 2 rescue cats named Minnie and Vinny, and 2 rescue dogs named Mabel and Jasmine. They are no strangers to our practice and they certainly keep her and her husband on their toes! 💚

08/07/2024

We aspire to have all our patients as relaxed as Roxie is this morning ahead of her consultation with Darren 😍

06/07/2024

05/07/2024

🥳 We had a great turn out of enthusiastic local veterinary surgeons at our recent CPD event hosted at NiVS.
This time around Darren Barnes was quizzing the attendees about their habits when performing abdominal surgery and then providing tips, tricks and evidence to support those choices for improved patient outcomes and more efficient surgeries.
We also discussed the importance of surgical safety checklists and how we implement those at NiVS to improve team communication, surgical planning and hopefully patient outcomes as a result.

Feel like you missed out? – then make sure you don’t miss our next CPD event.. date to be confirmed!

Specialist Veterinary Surgeon

05/07/2024

👋 Welcoming: Sarah Clayton RVN 🩺

Sarah graduated from Nottingham Trent University in July 2022. She began working in a small animal first opinion and referral hospital.
Sarah has a keen interest in advanced nursing and anaesthesia. She thoroughly enjoys her nursing role due to the rewarding and fulfilling nature of the job. She focuses on making a difference to the care and lives of animals.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys hiking and running. She is training for the London Marathon 2025 where she will be raising money for Cats Protection. 🐾
Sarah has an elderly Jack Russell terrier name Dora (who is currently recovering from a cruciate repair!) and a small domestic short hair (with a big personality) named Arya.

Sarah has been a fantastic addition to our ever expanding team 💚

03/07/2024

👋 Introducing:

Philip Smyth BVMS PgC SAS to our NIVS family!

Philip graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2014 and started working with all species in rural practice, with a particular interest in small animal surgery.

He relocated to a small animal hospital in Belfast to focus on surgery in cats and dogs. He undertook further training in this role, gaining a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery. His focus was primarily on neurosurgery, orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery.

Philip is currently working towards a Master’s degree in Neurology and Neurosurgery. He has completed advanced training with specialist neurosurgeons in England, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands.

At NIVS, Philip will offer a complete neurology and neurosurgery referral services using state of the art equipment for procedures including surgery for brain and spinal tumours, spinal stabilisation and fracture repair and treatment of seizures and peripheral nerve disorders.

We have been working behind the scenes on some very exciting things and can’t wait to bring you more announcements in the very near future 🤫

02/07/2024

Celebrating the importance and relevance of internationally recognised qualifications.

19/06/2024

🔔 LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY 🔔

Due to last minute cancellations, we can accommodate 3 more attendees for our CPD event this evening!

If you wish to attend, please email us at [email protected]

These will be given on a first come first serve basis 🥳

10/06/2024

🔔 Surgical CPD Event - Tips & Tricks for surgical abdominal exploration.

Join us at 6:45pm on Wednesday 19th June.

We have limited availability for this exciting CPD event hosted by Darren Barnes MA VetMB CertSAS MRCVS DipECVS, RCVS and EBVS® European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery.

Please email us at [email protected] to secure your spot!

Specialist Veterinary Surgeon

24/05/2024

🩺 Veterinary nursing awareness month 🩺

Over the month of May, we will be celebrating our fantastic team of advanced nurses. 💚

👋 Meet Margo 👋

Hello,
My name is Margo and I’m a registered veterinary nurse here at Northern Ireland Veterinary Specialists. As nurses inpractice, we all wear many hats for different parts of our nursing day. Today my hat is focused on recovery and patient care. As you can see our nurses are real ‘Jack of all Trades’ with a passion for pets and a stomach of steel, we have seen it all. We take care of any and every patient in the surgery.
Patient care nurses have an important job, ensuring that all patients under our care have a comfortable and seamless recovery, helping them to adapt to the effects of surgery, and managing and monitoring treatments. Monitoring of the heart rate and respiratory rate, with temperature taken frequently if it does not stress the patient. We will check for signs of inflammation, infection, or patient interference. We also check the patients pain levels to be sure the pain relief prescribed is sufficient.
Each patient will recovery differently from their anaesthetic experience
With careful monitoring, hand feeding, bandage changing, cuddles and care, you can see from my photos how proud and passionate I am about my work. Every patient is treated with the absolute best care, love and compassion. I’ve included a few photos I managed to get through all the licks and cuddles from a special little lady that stole my heart!
You may have read Ruby’s story a while back on NIVS page. While I wasn’t involved with her surgery, I was with her recovery. This wee lady experienced a traumatic dog attack with life threating injuries. From ICU too bouncing out the door home. She was the bravest wee lady and came out the other side a happy dog. This is why I wanted to share this story it’s the most rewarding part of being a veterinary nurse and I love these kind of endings. Ruby never gave up hope and with all our dedicated nursing care, we did it!! ❤️‍🩹

20/05/2024

💚 Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month 💚

🏥 This is one of our theatres set up and ready to go for a pacemaker procedure!
A lot is involved in the theatre and kit setup as you can see which is down to the responsibility of our nurses.
As much is prepared as possible for all surgeries before the patient arrives including medication calculations and emergency equipment on standby. 💉

🩺 All anaesthetics are monitored by our nurses, including these pacemakers, under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon and/or cardiologist.
Anaesthesia is part of a veterinary nurses initial training program, and here at NIVS, advanced anaesthesia is part of a day to day task.
Our nurses are continually learning and developing anaesthesia skills so your pets are always in safe hands. 💚

17/05/2024

🫀 Cardiology CPD Event 🫀

Thank you for attending our CPD event on Wednesday evening. Our CPD was presented by Julie Hamilton Elliott BVSc CertAVP(SAM) PGCertVPS DipECVIM-CA MRCVS EBVS® and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology. The evening was sponsored by Julie Bilchak (Commercial Technical Manager) Norbrook Laboratories GB. Thank you to our caterers The Parson's Nose for delicious stone fired sour dough pizzas and very yummy sweet treats from The Pantry.

Our next CPD event will be held at the practice on Wednesday 19th June and presented by Darren Barnes MA VetMB CertSAS MRCVS DipECVS RCVS and EBVS® European Specialist Specialist Veterinary Surgeon in Small Animal Surgery. Follow our socials for content details and registration dates. We are looking forward to seeing you next month!

16/05/2024

💚 Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month 💚

❓Did you know…all veterinary professionals including our amazing registered veterinary nurses, have to complete yearly continual professional development! 🩺

🏥 This means that a certain amount of training has to be completed every year, and this can be in the form of lectures, webinars, practical sessions or conferences (to name a few examples!)
This CPD has to be recorded so the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) which is the veterinary regulatory body, can check and make sure everyone is staying up to date.
By keeping up to date with all things veterinary, our nurses (and vets of course) are continuing to develop skills and provide the best level of care for our patients! 💚

14/05/2024

🩺 Veterinary nursing awareness month 🩺

Over the month of May, we will be celebrating our fantastic team of advanced nurses. 💚

👋 Meet Mary Beth 👋

My name is Mary Beth Mulligan. I am an RVN, who qualified in November 2022. I always wanted to do veterinary nursing from a young age but I was talked out of it as everyone felt it would be a very sad job, which it definitely isn’t! It has sad moments but ultimately we give our all to our patients and make their time with us the best we possibly can. I went back to college in September 2019 at Dundalk Institute of Technology and really enjoyed my time there both in college learning and on placement. I worked in both small animal and mixed practice previously, in Mullingar Pet Hospital and Newry Veterinary Centre, and gained a lot of confidence in my GP skills there, helping in routine small animal surgery, helping vets at TB tests and c-sections of both small and large animal variety, and often being the nurse on call for night time emergencies. I decided a change was needed in November 2023 to further my skill set and use all aspects of my training, and applied successfully to NI Vet Specialists. Since joining, I have learned to run CT scans, scrubbed in with the surgeons to assist in difficult surgeries and improved my anaesthetic skills. I enjoy assisting with internal medicine cases the most as there is a lot we can do for them as nurses like blood samples, transfusions, and assisting with scopes. When not at work, I am probably out for a walk in the Mournes with Ted, my dog, or at home reading a good book.

10/05/2024

🫀 We’re looking forward to welcoming referring vets and nurses to our CPD event on May 15th! 🫀

10/05/2024

💚 Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month 💚

Head nurse Shirley assists our specialist surgeon Darren Barnes in an orthopaedic procedure 🦴

09/05/2024

🩺 Veterinary nursing awareness month 🩺

Over the month of May, we will be celebrating our fantastic team of advanced nurses. 💚

👋 Meet Holly 👋

Hello, my name is Holly and I’m a registered veterinary nurse here at Northern Ireland Veterinary Specialists.
I studied veterinary nursing at the College of Animal Welfare In Huntingdon, England, before then gaining my qualification in the summer of 2012.
I got into veterinary nursing during school when we had to complete 2 weeks work experience in some kind of business. I’ve always loved animals and so I applied at my local vets, Oundle Veterinary Surgery. I enjoyed my 2 weeks work experience so much that I was offered a Saturday job position cleaning and helping out the nurses and vets before then being offered a student nursing position a couple of years later. Here I trained, qualified and stayed for around 4 years gaining experience in all nursing areas. Oundle vets was a first opinion small animal practice where I worked weekends and out of hour shifts. I became a clinical coach for our student nurses where I enjoyed training them and passing on my knowledge. I was extremely grateful for that opportunity at Oundle and for all the people there that made me the nurse I am today.
I then felt I needed to spread my wings and gain more confidence elsewhere, so I then moved to Cambridge (first time living away from home and by myself!) and started working at Queens Veterinary School Hospital. Here I was a theatre nurse and assisted with all areas in the surgical theatres. It was mainly referral cases that would be sent here but on certain days of the weeks they would have neutering and dental days for local charity animals. Queens Hospital is part of Cambridge University and so many of the student vets would be here training. In theatre I would help some of these students with their scrubbing up methods and assist them on the trolley with their instruments and any other training knowledge I could offer as a nurse. I stayed here at Cambridge for 2 and a half years before then wanting to move back to general practice. I learned so much at Cambridge being in theatre and the whole experience of moving away from home and working in a different job really helped my personal confidence.
I moved back closer to home and was in Rutland, at Oakham Veterinary Hospital. Again a small animal practice, dealing with first opinion cases, working days, weekends, nights and out of hours shifts. I formed a great friendship group whilst working here and enjoyed it so very much. I was a clinical coach for our student nurse here also. The area was beautiful and love going back there when I can. Here I really felt I gained so much more experience and confidence from my other colleagues and partaking in regular continuing professional education. I worked here for 2 and a half years before then moving to Northern Ireland to live and be with my boyfriend, now husband!
I arrived in Northern Ireland in Oct 2021. I interviewed for NIVS when I was back in England on a Zoom call and gratefully was given the position here. I started in November 2021 and am really enjoying it. Since starting at NIVS, I have grown so much as a nurse. It has been a big learning curve going from first opinion to referral with so much to learn! I love anaesthesia and in patient care and have since gained my nursing certificate in anaesthesia. I am responsible for a number of jobs including cardiology stock and ordering, consumable ordering, pharmacy stock and maintenance and maintaining our silver status cat friendly clinic. There is such a range of cases here, with services of cardiology, surgery and medicine, there is always lots to learn.
I love being a veterinary nurse for so many reasons and look forward to the years ahead to see what they may bring!

07/05/2024

🐾 Ceasar

🏥 Interventional cardiology - Julie Hamilton-Elliott

🫀 Ceasar is a 12 year old Doberman who presented to NIVS for general lethargy and bradycardia. A 24 hour ECG showed that his average heart rate was only 30bpm (normal in dogs is 60-90bpm!!) and he was having a large number of ‘skipped’ heart beats (high grade 2nd degree AV block). Our specialist cardiologist Julie placed a transvenous pacemaker via ‘keyhole’ (minimally invasive) surgery with no complications encountered. Ceasar was discharged only a few days later and his owner noticed an immediate improvement in his energy levels at home. Ceasar came in for a post-op check last week and we were delighted to see him doing so well! ❤️

07/05/2024

🏥 Outpatient CT offer for the month of May! 🏥

The CT includes General Anaesthetic, 2 regions and detailed reports from a Diagnostic Imaging Specialist. Our standard fee is £2500 and we are offering a 25% discount which equates to £1875 saving your client £625!

02/05/2024

The start of May marks the beginning of veterinary nursing awareness month 2024! 💚

At NIVS, we have a team of 5 veterinary nurses. Head nurse Shirley, Margo, Toni, Holly and Mary-Beth (left to right).

You may well have met or spoken to them whilst you have been visiting us with your pet! They are the heroes behind the scenes who recover, comfort and treat your pets as though they were their own 💚

Over the next few weeks, the nurses will give you an insight into their roles at NIVS and tell you about themselves and their careers as RVNs.

Have you any questions for our nurses? 🩺

01/05/2024

🥹 It has been an emotional week for our NIVS family as we have said a fond farewell to our surgeon, Colin.

Colin has been a much loved and respected member of our team and it is with so much sadness that we announce his departure.

Colin’s dream of being an airline pilot became a reality in recent months and we are thrilled to watch this journey unfold for him!

He will be sorely missed in the building, and no doubt, by our referring practices and the families of the patients he has treated in his time with us. 🐾

Time to hang up the surgical caps! 🥹

Colin, it has been both a privilege and a pleasure to to have worked alongside you and we wish you the very best of luck with British Airways 👨‍✈️

Fly safe ✈️