New initiative allows veterinary experts to see clients promptly without the need to travel. Vets can now arrange an online consultation for their client with a Gastroenterology expert at our Hospital. A team of veterinary Specialists from the Dick Vet Hospital for Small Animals has launched a video consultation service to help referring vets from around the UK treat their canine and feline patients with chronic gut problems. The initiative enables referring vets to book an online one-hour consultation for their client with an RCVS Specialist from the Diplomate-led Integrated Gastroenterology Edinburgh Specialist Clinic (DIGEST) team at the Hospital. Online appointments are subject to the availability of the Specialists; however clients can be seen sooner than those requiring an in-person appointment, with no need for the client and patient to travel. Online assessment During the consultation, a vet from the DIGEST team will review the patient’s case history and test results supplied by the referring vet, as well as a dietary questionnaire completed by the client before the appointment. After the consultation, the Hospital’s vet will suggest some potential next steps to the referring vet, such as diet trials or probiotic use. This enables the primary vet to continue to treat their patient without a full referral if they wish to, or refer their patient should more invasive tests, such as endoscopy or surgery, be required. Offering online consultations tailored for dogs and cats with chronic gut problems is not only convenient for many owners and less stressful for their pets, but in also allows us to determine if we need to see an animal or not, or if care can be continued in collaboration with their home vet. It also allows us to identify patients that need more in-depth investigations sooner, and we can then give the pet owner and vet a more precise plan of what is likely to be required. Professor Silke Salavati Head of Internal Medicine Service and DIGEST Clinic, Hospital for Small Animals. Specialist expertise The Internal Medicine Service at the Hospital for Small Animals has nine RCVS Specialists in Internal Medicine, seven clinicians and a team of dedicated nursing staff. They are the largest group of specialists with an interest in gastrointestinal problems in the UK. The DIGEST Clinic clinicians, supported by a specialist nutrition nurse, have specific expertise in small animal gastrointestinal problems, and are able to offer a holistic, thorough approach to diagnosis and treatment in cats and dogs. Led by Professor Silke Salavati, RCVS Specialist in Gastroenterology, the Internal Medicine Service and DIGEST clinic accept referrals in all areas of small animal internal medicine. The team are hoping to expand the service in the future and offer online consultations for other areas of internal medicine. For more information about the service, or to make an appointment for a video consultation for one of your patients, contact hfsareception@ed.ac.uk . About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than 800 staff and almost 1400 students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos. The School comprises: The Roslin Institute The Roslin Innovation Centre The Hospital for Small Animals Equine Veterinary Services Farm Animal Services Easter Bush Pathology The Animal Welfare Centre We represent the largest concentration of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge. Tags HfSA Vet Publication date 19 Aug, 2025
