Hamilton Specialist Referrals

09/12/2025

This is Molly, a 5-year-old Yorkshire Terrier weighing just 3.6 kg. She was brought to Hamilton Specialist Referrals as an emergency after being attacked by a much larger dog. Molly arrived with multiple penetrating wounds to her chest and neck, five fractured ribs on the left side, a cervical spine subluxation, and a fractured scapula.

She spent 10 days in our High Dependency Unit receiving intensive care.
Our surgical team performed soft-tissue reconstructive surgery to repair the extensive wounds. Fortunately, despite the severity of her injuries, Molly did not require surgery on her spine, ribs, or scapula.
During her stay, Molly was cared for around-the-clock by our wonderful nursing team, being supported through every step of her recovery.

Molly happened to be wearing a thick coat at the time of the attack, which probably provided some protection when the larger dog grabbed and shook her - possibly mistaking her for a toy.

Molly has recovered well and has settled back in at home - enjoying all the love and fuss from her family around her.

01/12/2025

Meet Bruce, a 9-year-old Mastiff cross who recently came to us with a large mass on the right side of his chest that had been slowly growing for more than 16 months. On October 15, Bruce underwent major thoracic surgery performed by our specialist surgical team.

The procedure involved removing part of the right chest wall, including ribs 4–7, to fully excise the tumour. His chest was then reconstructed using an omental flap, Prolene mesh, and a transposed right latissimus dorsi muscle to restore stability and protect the chest cavity.

Histopathology confirmed the mass was a costal chondrosarcoma—a malignant tumour that originates from rib cartilage. These tumours typically grow slowly and form firm, immovable masses on the chest wall, most often affecting medium to large dogs between six and twelve years old. Surgery is the recommended treatment and usually requires wide chest wall resection (often removing two to four ribs) followed by reconstruction with mesh and muscle flaps. Even though these tumours can become quite large, the prognosis is generally positive when the tumour is completely removed, with many dogs living more than three years after surgery.

We are delighted to share that at his six-week check-up, Bruce had made a full recovery and is now back to enjoying life with his family. It was a privilege to care for this gentle giant.

13/11/2025

Emergency blood stocks are critically low! 😔🩸

We urgently need the help of our wonderful community to make sure no dog goes without the blood they need this winter 💔

Supplies of blood are running out and more donors are urgently needed. Every unit of blood can help save the lives of up to four other dogs, and right now, Pet Blood Bank needs to collect 800 units before Christmas to keep tails wagging through the festive period 🙏

We’re hosting a donation session on Sunday 16 November and are appealing to you, our wonderful clients – could your dog be a lifesaving hero this Christmas?

Dogs need to be: 🎂 Between 1 and 8 years old ⚖️ Weigh over 25kg 🐶 Fit, healthy, and confident

Does this sound like your dog? Please help us to help Pet Blood Bank and ensure every dog gets the blood they need this Christmas. There truly is no greater gift at this time of year ❤️ To find out more and register your dog today, please visit www.petbloodbankuk.org/welcome

29/10/2025

Ever the explorer, the inquisitive Socrates, a 5m old male Saluki, found a common household pain reliever ‘ibuprofen’ and dined on up to 10 tablets. His astute parents quickly sought veterinary attention to manage toxicity from this medication, but he ultimately developed a severe acute kidney injury presenting to the Medicine service at Hamilton Specialist Referrals in late stages of renal failure with vomiting and dehydration and a loss of his usual vibrancy.

After a week of intensive treatment with intravenous fluids and medications and his dreaded urinary catheter, his cheeky nature returned and he was discharged, making a full recovery.

The Greek philosopher Socrates provided teachings that remain relevant to modern society. We hope that his namesake follows his teaching that ‘Wonder is the beginning of wisdom’…..though he is more likely to follow the footsteps of Harry Potter on the Marauder’s map ‘I solemnly swear that I am up to no good’!

Ibuprofen can be toxic to dogs (and cats) and can cause gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhoea, gastric ulceration, renal injury and sometimes neurological signs. Very high doses can be lethal. If veterinary attention is quickly sought, toxicity can be managed and reversed as with Socrates. The faster you can get veterinary help, the better the prognosis.

22/10/2025

We recently received this wonderful update from one of our clients.
Rosie came to us for left total hip replacement in October 2023, and then her right hip was also replaced in June 2024.
It is so lovely to see how well she is doing! 🩷

Subject: Rosie – Two Years On

For David & all the team,

Last night a memory popped up on my phone—it’s been two years since we picked Rosie up from you after her first hip operation. I wanted to let you, your team, and all the staff know how grateful and appreciative we still are for everything you did for her.

We’ve just come back from a week’s holiday in Devon with Rosie, and I thought it would be lovely to share the attached video so you can see how happy and active she is now.

Thank you again for the incredible care and kindness you gave her—it truly made all the difference.

06/10/2025

Our Surgical Resident, Dr Barbora Mala, speaking at the recent ECVS Annual Scientific Meeting in Antwerp.
Here's what she had to say:

I have just begun the final year of my Small Animal Surgical Residency, and it was a real privilege to present at the internationally renowned ECVS Annual Scientific Meeting in Antwerp. I have been fortunate to attend this congress every year for the past four years, and I have always admired the calibre of the elected speakers, the prestige of the event, and the scale of the international community it brings together.
This year, I was honoured to be selected to present at the Resident Forum, which felt truly special. I particularly enjoyed the engaging questions from the audience, which broadened my perspective on how my research into humeral intracondylar fissures (HIFs), one of the leading topics of the meeting, can be viewed and interpreted by others.
For me, the ECVS congress is not only an opportunity to share research but also a chance to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and gain inspiration from the advances being made across the field. Each year, I come away with renewed motivation and a deeper appreciation of the collaborative spirit within our profession

13/09/2025

Facilities & Operations Manager
https://ivcevidensia.co.uk/current-vacancies/Practice-Based-Support/84c38e5d-dfca-46bd-9b5d-12c6318289a0

Client Care Assistant
https://ivcevidensia.co.uk/current-vacancies/Practice-Based-Support/61c36792-7e5f-48fa-8212-8b4cd7350746

11/09/2025

Hi, I’m Claire and I’ve been a Client Care Assistant at HSR since February 2025.
I have previously worked as a swimming teacher and in hospitality but have always had a love for animals!
Every day here brings something new, and I love being part of a team that truly cares.
When I'm not here, you'll probably find me watching F1, out for a coffee/meal with my friends or out on an adventure with my crazy cocker spaniel, Maggie 💕

09/09/2025

https://ivcevidensia.co.uk/current-vacancies/Practice-Based-Support/84c38e5d-dfca-46bd-9b5d-12c6318289a0

31/08/2025

29/08/2025

Hi, I'm Carolina. I can usually be found holding a cat!

I'm from Portugal and have loved animals since I was a little girl, making the decision to become a vet at only 5 years old. I graduated from Lisbon University in 2010, and moved to the UK in 2012 to pursue Specialisation.

After years working as a general practitioner, two post-graduate certificates in Small Animal Medicine, two rotating internships, a three-year residency at the University of Edinburgh, and many exams, I became a Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2022. I joined Hamilton Specialist Referrals in 2024.

I adore cats and have 3 rescues myself - Molly, Zaza and Momo.

When not working at Hamilton's, I volunteer my time and expertise for a charity that I founded – OHANA Animal Charity. A UK-registered charity that organises Vet Courses around the world, with two objectives: improve wellbeing within the vet community and fundraise for street and shelter animals!

26/08/2025

Snoogle - one of our Hydro regulars enjoying some bubbles and posing for the camera. Great pic Snoogle! 📸