New Kitten

Since it has been over 20 years since I have had a kitten in my home I could be forgiven for not remembering exactly how manic they really are!

I can hear myself in the consulting room reassuring concerned clients that kittens are either going at 90 miles an hour or are sound asleep and that the behaviour they are describing is perfectly normal! But I am sure that this stray kitten given to me for my birthday (a bit of a busman's holiday if you ask me!) must have eaten some performance enhancing drugs to see the speed he moves at in the evening!

Appetite? He could eat for England (well Scotland actually now that we are sadly the obesity league champions of Europe).

And the worms? Who would have thought that something that small could produce so many worms.

Just as well I have a never ending supply of top of the range worming tablets! As a vet's pet he can look forward to a lifetime of the very latest treatments for worms, fleas and vaccinations............all for his own good, although I suspect that this chap may take some convincing.

Who knows if he grows large enough he may even become a blood donor. At least he will get involved in the taste tests of the latest recommended cat foods!

And his name?

I haven't quite finalised that one!

Suggestions?

Terry with the "Impact" Award the practice won in 2005

Having graduated from the University of Glasgow in the summer of 1985 my first paid employment as a qualified veterinary surgeon was running a one man mixed practice (large and small animals) whilst the principal was away on holiday. Despite my inexperience I am glad to say that the owner returned from his holidays refreshed and grateful that he still had a practice to run!

Inspired by my first successful venture I then took a position in Bury, Lancashire, (home of the black pudding....and very nice it was too!). Here I worked in a very busy small animal and equine practice. I remained here for three years during which time I learned a great deal and played rugby too for the Bury 1st XV. Throughout this period I also began studying for a postgraduate qualification in orthopaedics (Cert SAO) and was very pleased at the age of 24 to become one of the youngest people ever to attain this award in 1988.

Tempted by the prospect of running my own business I then took a job in Oldham where I worked for a year in mixed practice. It eventually became clear that my destiny lay further afield than Oldham which is when I applied for the position of senior associate veterinary surgeon at the Fairfield Veterinary Group in Hinckley.

The principal at that time was Mr John Crossley who had a particular interest and expertise with horses. Whilst I always had an excellent relationship with John, and in fact still keep in touch, his love of equine work was very clear. This difference in priorities meant that after a year I decided to work in Moseley, Birmingham where I was offered a partnership. After a great deal of thought (18 months worth!) I returned to work in Hinckley and by coincidence at the same time Mr Crossley decided to retire.

In 1996 I completed the purchase of Fairfield and directed the practice towards small animals. Investment in instruments and diagnostic tools quickly followed. I also had the good fortune to have a local veterinary student seeing practice around that time, Geraldine Manship. Impressed by her ability, knowledge and dedication she was offered the job of associate veterinary surgeon one year before she even qualified!

Not too long after a Dutch veterinary surgeon called Ingrid arrived for interview. Selected from over 60 applicants from around the world the interview lasted more than 2 hours in a pub called "The Manor" and Ingrid was appointed. "The Manor" was eventually torn down and so I will have to find new premises for any more in depth interviews!

Further blessed with excellent nursing and reception staff I am proud to say that the Fairfield "team" is the best I have ever known. Locum veterinary surgeons who provide holiday cover at Fairfield regularly endorse that sentiment.

Our reputation continues to grow and we regularly see clients referred from other practices and veterinary surgeons.

I have always believed in a "work hard, play hard" philosophy and consequently try to play regular sport in an effort to "let off steam!". Whilst my efforts on the squash and football pitch can accomplish this with some ease I have found that the golf course can have the opposite effect! "Tiger Woods" need have no worries, however unless the Scottish football and rugby teams start to improve I am considering putting my name forward for selection!

I enjoy the daily challenges that veterinary practice has to offer and the occasional glass of amber fluid for which my homeland is famous is what allows to me unwind in the evening after a hard day's work!