BSC BVMS MANZCVS DACVD FANZCVS
Fiona is both a Board-certified and Fellowship trained veterinary dermatologist. She is a founder and director of Veterinary Dermatology Specialists in Perth.
Dr Fiona has practiced veterinary dermatology and consulted with clients and patients from all over Western Australia and Southern California, USA. She has treated exotic animals at Perth Zoo and an animal sanctuary in the Californian hills. Fiona has provided continuing education to primary care veterinarians throughout Western Australia and has taught the final year veterinary students at Murdoch University during their dermatology practical rotation. In 2019, Fiona was asked to lecture at the Australian Veterinary Association’s National Conference.
Fiona graduated from Veterinary School at Murdoch University and won the Surgery Prize. She is the only Veterinary Dermatologist in Western Australia that has achieved both Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Dermatologists, and, Fellowship status with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. She performed her internship at Perth Veterinary Specialists and between 2014-2017 she flew between California, USA and her home in Western Australia whilst she completed two residency programs.
Fiona is a certified Fear Free Dermatologist- the Fear Free certification helps veterinary professionals to minimise fear, anxiety and stress on patients whilst in hospital and in turn enhances the quality of medicine and patient/owner experience.
Get to know more about Dr Fiona:
Where are you from? I’m a Perth native and despite travelling widely I’m always drawn home to the laid-back, coastal lifestyle that exists on the west coast.
Do you have your own pets?
I have two animal companions: a 12 year old tortoiseshell cat named Evie and a 12 year old Curly-Coated Retriever named Olive.
Where did you get your love for the veterinary field from?
Growing up, my mother instilled a love of animals into me- she was part of the Australian Kennel Club and both bred and showed Champion Dobermans. From a very early age, the importance of the human-animal bond was evident in our family. I feel privileged to have owned a variety of animals as a child, including dogs, cats, budgies, chickens, crazy-crabs and even an orphaned lamb.
What are some of you the most exotic animals you’ve treated as a Veterinary Dermatologist?
It’s hard to choose but it’s a close call between an allergic meerkat, a chimpanzee with a fungal infection causing her to have cracked lips and a coatimundi (a South-American mammal which belongs to the Racoon family) with an immune mediated skin disorder.
