Staff

Professor Dick White

BVetMed PhD DSAS DVR FRCVS

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
• Diplomate, European College of Veterinary Surgeons
• RCVS, ACVS & European Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
• RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology

Hello, I am Dick White - the founder and principal of our specialist centre. I am regarded as one the UK’s leading small animal soft tissue and cancer surgeons. During a 25 year university career I taught surgery to more than 1500 veterinary surgeons – this means that today about 10% of all vets working in the UK were taught how to operate by me.

I specialise in, and have wide experience of, all aspects of small animal ‘soft tissue’ surgery and I am an American, European and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery. I concentrate on ENT and respiratory surgery, reconstructive and abdominal surgery.

I am one of a small handful of RCVS Specialists in Veterinary Oncology in the country. I have recently been made an Honorary Member of the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology in recognition of the contributions I have made to the field of small animal cancer management. My primary interest therefore lies in the surgical management of cancer but I also work closely with my colleagues to combine surgery with other non-surgical anti-cancer treatments.

I have published many scientific papers and chapters in internationally-acknowledged textbooks; I am a founder and Past President of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. As well as being the centre’s principal clinician, I am also Special Professor of Small Animal Surgery at the University of Nottingham Veterinary School and I contribute to the undergraduate teaching programme there.

I have six dogs of my own - three working Labrador retrievers, two ex-racing greyhounds and one border terrier. So more importantly than all my clinical experience, it is this that allows me to fully appreciate the huge role that animals play in our life!

Abby Caine

MA, VetMB, Cert VDI, Dip ECVDI, MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
• Diplomate of the European College in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging.
• European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging.

Abby graduated from Cambridge Veterinary School in 2001. During five years in a busy small animal practice she developed an interest in radiology and ultrasound, and gained the RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging.

She returned to Cambridge in 2006 to undertake a residency program in diagnostic imaging, and gained the European Diploma in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging in 2009.

Abby is a European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging. She is interested in all aspects of imaging, and is enjoying using the excellent imaging facilities to progress the interesting and challenging caseload at Dick White Referrals.

Caroline Altenhoefer

DVM, MRCVS

Caroline studied and graduated from Ludwig-Maximilian-Universtitaet in Muenchen, Germany. She was working during her doctorade on the neurology service of the Medizinische Kleintierklinik, Universitaet Muenchen, before completing her residency training in Neurology/Neurosurgery at the University of California in Davis in 2011. Caroline special interest is neurosurgery.

Caroline misses the hot Californian summers but she is happy to join the team at Dick White Referrals.

 
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Enzo Vettorato

PhD CertVA DipECVAA MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Veterinary Anaesthesia
• European Specialist of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

Hello, my name is Enzo Vettorato and I am one of the anaesthetists here at Dick White Referrals.

I graduated from the Veterinary University of Padua - Italy - in 2003. At the same University I completed a PhD on pain management in the dog in 2007, before moving to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh where I started a three years Residency Programme in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. In 2008, I gained the RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Anaesthesia.

In February 2010, I moved together with Sophie, my little Jack Russell, to work as a Consultant Anaesthetist at Dick White Referrals.

In December 2010, I became European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia.

During my free time I like playing sports (football and tennis in particular), going to the cinema, walking with Sophie and dancing salsa.

Elizabeth ‘Butty’ Villiers

BVSc FRCPath DipECVCP, CertVR, CertSAM MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Veterinary Clinical Pathology
• European Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology

The lab is run by Elizabeth (aka Butty) Villiers BVSc FRCPath DipECVCP, CertSAM, Cert VR, MRCVS (contact Butty), who has many years of experience of clinical pathology as well as a background in internal medicine and oncology. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologist, a Diplomate of the European College of Clinical Pathologist, a European Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology and holds RCVS Certificates in Small Animal Medicine and Radiology.

She is well known in the international veterinary clinical pathology community and is frequently an invited speaker at veterinary conferences and courses. Elizabeth is co-editor of the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Clinical Pathology. She is a well known cytologist, and has a special interest in haematology, but also enjoys interpreting all laboratory data and discussing cases with veterinary surgeons.

Federico Corletto

PhD, CertVA, Dipl.ECVAA, MRCVS

• European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
• Honorary Associate Professor of Veterinary Anaesthesia - University of Nottingham

Hi, I am Federico, or Freddie, as I have been called since I moved to UK. I graduated in Padova (Italy), and trained as veterinary anaesthetist in UK, and since 2003 I am European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia ana and Analgesia.

Anaesthesia, perioperative care, and analgesia have been my main interests since I was a student at Vet School. I am particularly interested in physiology and pharmacology of anaesthetics, sedative and cardiovascular drugs.

I have been working as Anaesthesia Lecturer in Padova School of veterinary medicine, then as Clinical anaesthetist at the Animal Health Trust, and finally I have been working for three years on a research project based at the University Division of Anaesthetics of Addenbrooke's hospital, with which I am still collaborating.

I joined Dick White Referrals in July 2008, to build an anaesthesia service able to work alongside the other disciplines. I am really enjoying the friendly and dynamic environment, and I find the possibility of working and exchanging opinions with very skilled clinicians very stimulating.

During my working career I had the chance to develop both clinical and research projects, and many of them resulted in publications in scientific journals. I am deeply involved in providing continuous education in veterinary anaesthesia to vets, especially in Italy, where I lecture for several CPD providers. I am also author of a handbook of small animal anaesthesia, published in Italy. Although it did not make me rich, it has been a great satisfaction for me, and gave me the opportunity to communicate to my colleagues in general practice my enthusiasm in this fascinating subject, too often deemed boring or simply “not very cool”! I am also proud to say that many veterinary students decided to become anaesthetists after reading my book or attending one of my lectures. As you may understand, I am seriously committed to improving the standard and the image of veterinary anaesthesia, and if you have any special concern or curiosity regarding anaesthesia, pain management of your pet, feel free to ask to speak with me.

Giunio Bruto Cherubini

DVM, DECVN, MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Veterinary Neurology
• Diplomate, European College of Veterinary Neurology
• European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
• RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Neurology

Hello, I am Giunio Bruto, my father gave me this name in memory of Giunio Bruto, the leader of the plot that killed Giulio Cesar and in Italy that name is a symbol of fight versus the tyranny and absolutism for the freedom. Despite my attachment for that name you can call me just Giunio.

After working for 3 years in a referral neurological centre in Rome I completed a residency in Neurology at the Royal Veterinary College in 2004. I was awarded with the John Presthus award as best European resident in neurology in 2004 by the European Society of Veterinary Neurology. I was then promoted to the position of Lecturer in Neurology and NeuroSurgery.

I joined Dick White Referrals in January 2007 to set up a dedicated Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurooncology service for dogs and cats. For me, the fascination of Neurology is that the nervous system is developed in the entire body so any type of medical and surgical diseases can have a neurological component or can be secondary to a neurological disorder.

I am able to offer the entire range of neurological diagnostic work-ups and advanced treatments, either medical or surgical, that your pet may require.

I have concentrated my neurological efforts in the diagnosis and treatment of immune mediated diseases of the brain and spinal cord in dogs and cats. However, my present primary interest lies in the surgical and oncological management of cancer of the nervous system. To improve my knowledge in Neurooncology I maintain active contact with human Neurooncologists and I am an active member of the British and European Society of Neurooncology.

The possibility of working in such an advanced and sophisticated centre as Dick White Referrals enables me to work closely with recognised colleagues in other veterinary specialties such as Oncology, Internal Medicine, Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging. My patients enjoy the tender and loving care of our team of dedicated and professional neuro-therapist nurses.

I have published many scientific papers and I am an active member of the editorial board of UKVet.

I am an active member of the European College of Veterinary Neurology of the European Society of Veterinary Neurology. I contribute to the undergraduate teaching programme at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences and to the postgraduate teaching programme at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London.

Jon Wray

BVSc DSAM Cert VC MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine
• RCVS-Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Medicine (Internal Medicine)

Hello, I am Jon Wray one of the Internal Medicine specialists at Dick White Referrals and I see Cardiology cases also (which is my principal interest).

After qualifying from the University of Bristol, I spent two years in mixed practice in Somerset, before returning to Bristol to complete a 3-year residency in Small Animal Medicine and have concentrated on Internal Medicine referrals for the last 11 years. In 2001 I moved to Willows Referral Service in the West Midlands to develop an Internal Medicine referral service alongside existing disciplines and in 2004 took a position at first as Clinician and then Head of the Internal Medicine Unit at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket. I have therefore enjoyed a very wide-ranging veterinary career thus far, in first-opinion, academic, research-charitable and private specialist practice which I believe has given me a broad perspective and experience in my specialist work.

I gained the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Diploma in Small Animal Medicine in 2005 and was awarded RCVS Specialist Status in 2007. In 2008 I also passed the RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Cardiology and my longer-term ambition is to pursue my interest in cardiology further to Diploma level. I am currently chief examiner for the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Medicine, and a Visiting/Invited Lecturer at the Lusofona University of Lisbon. I also actively contribute to CPD locally, nationally and internationally on various medical topics.

I enjoy all aspects of Internal Medicine but also have a long-held interest in Cardiology hence my desire to achieve diploma status in both disciplines. The excellent facilities, team-approach by a group of very highly qualified and motivated specialists in allied subjects and first rate round-the-clock care from dedicated and highly trained nursing staff and interns here at Dick White Referrals is invaluable to the Internal Medicine case approach. A particular strength is also our onsite clinical pathology laboratory, run by a superb team, whose clinical expertise is just as important to medical problem-solving as that of the ‘front-line’ clinicians. This caring, professional and multidisciplinary team approach allows me to be able to offer the level of care to patients that I would want for my own pets in an environment where we can (and do) make a substantial difference to the quality of life of very many animals with medical and surgical problems.

My particular areas of interest are:

All aspects of cardiothoracic medicine

Endocrine problems, especially management of adrenal gland disorders

Investigation of dysphagia in cats and dogs

Use of endoscopy in medical diagnosis and endotherapy

Episodic weakness and collapse

Disorders of haemostasis, hypercoagulability and vascular disorders

I would be very glad to accept referrals in all areas of internal and cardiorespiratory medicine to help you and your clients with problem cases. Outside work I enjoy listening to as much live music as possible, playing the guitar with more enthusiasm than skill and spoiling our baby daughter, Ella.

Karin Mueller

MVSc, DCHP, DECBHM, MRCVS

• RCVS Diplomate in Cattle Health & Production
• Diplomate of the European College of Bovine Health Management
• European Specialist in Bovine Health Management

Karin graduated from Giessen University (Germany) in 1991, after studying in both Germany and England.

She returned to the UK and completed a residency in Farm Animal Medicine at Leahurst, University of Liverpool. In addition to several posts in large animal and mixed practice in the UK, she worked in New Zealand with dairy cattle and deer and completed a MVSc in Theriogenology while there. She led the farm animal section at Cambridge Veterinary School as University Physician for more than a decade, establishing a centre of excellence for camelid medicine.

Karin has been involved with South American Camelids since 1999. Realising the lack of veterinary expertise for these species, she made it her goal to maximise her own knowledge and contribute to the further understanding, particularly, of alpacas and llamas through research and training of veterinary students, practitioners and owners. In 2011, she set up the only comprehensive Referral Service for Alpacas in the UK at Dick White Referrals.

Karin holds both the European and RCVS Diploma in Bovine (Cattle) Health, and is an accomplished speaker and instructor, and author of numerous publications. Her particular areas of interest are reproduction, medicine and abdominal surgery. In the field of camelid medicine, she has been involved in studies on assessing failure of passive transfer, using body measurements to estimate liveweight, defining neurological standards, and establishing reference ranges for normal blood parameters for alpacas in the UK. Most recently, she researched alpaca joint cartilage.

Pieter Nelissen

DVM CertSAS MRCVS

Pieter qualified in 2001 from Ghent University in Belgium. He then stayed on at the university to complete a surgical internship. In September 2003 Pieter moved to a small animal practice in Stamford where he was in charge of surgery for 3 ½ years. During this time he gained the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery. In February 2007, Pieter started a second surgical internship at Dick White Referrals which was followed by a three year Residency in Small Animal Surgery.

Since January Pieter is a clinician in Small Animal Surgery and is mainly seeing soft tissue cases but also continues to see orthopaedic patients. He enjoys all aspects of surgery; but is more specifically interested in soft tissue with an emphasis on minimally invasive surgery. Outside work Pieter enjoys mountaineering, climbing, skiing and walking. He has a lovely English springer spaniel called 'Julie' who has had her fair share of surgery in her life.

 
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Martin Owen

BVSc BSc PhD DSAS (Ortho) MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Small Animal Orthopaedics
• Diplomate, Royal College and European College of Veterinary Surgeons
• European & RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)

Martin is a small animal orthopaedic specialist with a truly international reputation and is one of only a handful of the UK’s top small animal orthopaedic surgeons to hold both the RCVS Diploma in Small Animal Orthopaedics and the ECVS Diploma.

Martin graduated from Liverpool Veterinary School and worked in small animal practice before completing a PhD at the University of Liverpool. He began his surgical career with a Residency at Liverpool before completing his specialist training in Orthopaedics at Glasgow University. Martin subsequently became Senior Lecturer in Orthopaedics and the Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon at Bristol Veterinary School. He has published many articles on the diagnosis, management and outcome of orthopaedic injury and disease. He has expertise in all areas of small animal veterinary orthopaedics ranging from minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery through complex fracture repair to joint replacement.

Rob Foale

BSc, BVetMed, DSAM, DipECVIM-CA, MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine
• RCVS and ECVIM Diplomate in Small Animal Medicine
• European Veteriary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

Hi, I am Rob Foale, the Head of the Internal Medicine service here at Dick White Referrals. I have been a Veterinary Surgeon since 1996 but I have focused solely on small animal medicine since 2000. I qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1996 having previously completed a BSc in Physiology and Pharmacology at King’s College, London in 1992. After a four-year period in mixed general practice I joined the medicine service at The University of Cambridge Veterinary School as a resident in small animal medicine and I completed this programme in 2003. I obtained my RCVS Diploma in Small Animal Medicine in 2003, my ECVIM Diploma in 2005 and I am a Recognised European Specialist in Internal Medicine. My main clinical interests are medical oncology (the medical treatment of cancer), endocrinology (hormone disturbances and their cause), haematology (blood disorders) and immune-mediated diseases. In addition to my clinical work here I also have several active research projects with colleagues in centres in Cambridge, Nottingham, Singapore and Egypt! Specifically, I am working to try and develop a novel gene-therapy approach to the treatment of canine diabetes mellitus, to identify any genetic loci that make certain breeds of dog more prone to developing lymphoma and also to see if we can identify the hormones and genetic basis for some breeds of dog being much more likely than others to put on weight. In addition to this research output, I teach the small animal part of the undergraduate endocrinology course at the University of Nottingham Veterinary School and I have also published a textbook on the management of cancer in cats and dogs in 2009, which is now on sale around the world. Within the Veterinary profession, I am a member of the American Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS), The European Society of veterinary Oncology (ESVOnc), the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and the Small Animal Medicine Society (SAMSoc). Away from work I own two working English springer spaniels called Maggie and Olive who mean a great deal to me, so I completely understand quite how much happiness dogs bring to our lives but also how distressing it is to find that our own dogs need serious medical care. I always try to treat every patient as if they were my own and I will always do all I can to try to make them better.

Rosario Cerundolo

DVM, Cert. VD, Dipl. ECVD, MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Veterinary Dermatology
• European & RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology

After graduating from Naples University (Italy) in 1987 Rosario spent two and a half years in a small animal practice in Italy. He then joined the medicine unit at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Naples where he completed a thesis titled "Infectious Diseases, Prophylaxis and Veterinary Animal Health".

In 1997 he gained the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons "Certificate in Veterinary Dermatology", in 1998 after completing a residency in Dermatology at the Royal Veterinary College in London he gained the European Diploma in Veterinary Dermatology and in 2000 he was awarded the title of "RCVS recognised Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology".

In 2002 he joined the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA and until recently he was Associate Professor in Veterinary Dermatology.

Rosario has published several articles and book chapters including one for the BSAVA Manual of Veterinary Dermatology. Rosario has also presented at various international congresses.

Samuel Jakovljevic

DMV, MSc, DVR, DECVDI, MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
• Diplomate, European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

Graduated from the University of Liège Veterinary School, Belgium

Spent a year in general practice at the “Clinique Veterinaire de la Couronne”, one of the busiest small animal practices in Brussels

Joined the department of Surgery and Radiology of the University of Liège Veterinary School, Belgium in 1977

Radiology training at the University of Bristol Veterinary

Period of clinical research, resulting in an MSc with thesis for work on double contrast gastrography and gastroscopy

Lecturer at the University of Liverpool for 2 years

Joined the Radiology Section of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Purdue University, Indiana USA for 9 years

Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London for 2 years

Patent manager for the UK branch of Cook, an American medical company, for 5 years

Returned to clinical work as a radiologist at Dick White Referrals since January 2006, initially with Cambridge Radiology Referrals, then as head of Radiology at the centre

Holds the RCVS Diploma in Veterinary Radiology, and is a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

Many publications in various peer-reviewed journals and contributions to radiology textbooks

Simon Tappin

MA VetMB CertGP(SAP) CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

• Honorary Associate Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine
• ECVIM Diplomate in Small Animal Medicine
• European and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

Hi, I’m Simon Tappin one of the internal medicine consultants at Dick White Referrals. I trained at the University of Cambridge, where I was taught by Dick, Rob and Butty. After qualifying in 2002, I spend 2 years in small animal practice before taking up a residency in small animal medicine and intensive care at the University of Bristol. During my residency I completed the royal college certificate in small animal medicine and gained the European diploma veterinary internal medicine. I have an interest in all areas of small animal medicine but particularly enjoy the challenge of looking after our more critically ill patients. I am an active member of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and am part of the editorial board for their Companion journal. My current research interests are investigating the prevalence of the multi drug resistance gene within the UK and the implications this has on disease aetiology. Away from work I have a very active Border collie, Ellie, who I enjoy walking and, when time allows (!), participating with in agility competitions.