Our Vets

Mark Bush

MA VetMB CertSAS DSAS (Orth) MRCVS

RCVS Diplomate in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)

RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)

I qualified from the University of Cambridge in 1999 and remained there as an intern for the Orthopaedic Team. After this I worked for 4 years as a hospital surgeon in a large and busy small animal first opinion practice where I sat the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery in 2003, becoming one of the youngest vets to achieve the qualification. I then embarked on a Specialist surgical training programme at Bristol University and Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, leading to the RCVS Diploma in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics). I worked for Dick White Referrals from 2012- 2017, where I became the Head of Surgery. I ran the surgical team and assisted in training of a number of surgical residents and interns.
 
My professional interests cover many aspects of small animal orthopaedics, but particularly the areas of orthopaedic trauma, hip replacement surgery and the management of angular limb deformities.
 
I work at the highest level of the profession. I am regularly invited to speak at international, national and local veterinary conferences. I provide surgical training courses to practicing veterinary surgeons. I publish and review papers in major international veterinary surgical journals and continue to perform clinical research in veterinary orthopaedics . I am currently the Vice-Chairman of the British Veterinary Orthopaedics Association.

Martin Owen

BVSc BSc PhD DSAS(Orth) DipECVS MRCVS

RCVS Diplomate and Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)

ECVS Diplomate and European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

I graduated from Liverpool Veterinary School in 1992 and worked in small animal practice before completing a PhD at the University of Liverpool. I began my surgical career with a residency at Liverpool before completing my specialist training in Orthopaedics at Glasgow University. I subsequently became Lecturer, then Senior Lecturer in Orthopaedics and the Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon at Bristol Veterinary School. In 2009, I joined Dick White Referrals, a multidiscipline specialist veterinary hospital in Suffolk, where I was Head of the Orthopaedic service and latterly I was Head of Surgery until September 2016.

I have chaired both the scientific committee of the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association and the Programme committee for the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. I have also chaired the examination committee for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons diploma examination in Small Animal Orthopaedics. I have lectured at international, national and local veterinary meetings and congresses and educate veterinary practitioners and surgeons in training. I have trained 12 residents to specialist status themselves

I enjoy all aspects of small animal orthopaedics, but I have a particular interest in cranial cruciate ligament disease, elbow dysplasia, joint replacement and trauma management. I still enjoy the challenge of contributing to studies whilst keeping busy in the clinic.

Francisco Silveira

MSc PGCert DipECVS MRCVS

EBVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

Fran graduated from the University of Lisbon in 2013, having moved to the UK immediately afterward to pursue specialist training in surgery. After a period in first-opinion practice in East Yorkshire, Fran went on to complete an internship and subsequently a small animal surgery residency at Dick White Referrals, which he finished in 2020. Fran obtained the title of European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery in 2021, having had the opportunity to work in both Academia and Private Referral Practice since.

Fran particularly enjoys minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery and joint replacements, and he is passionate about evidence-based medicine. Outside work, Fran is a keen spectator (and player) of Rugby Union (which he will tell you about after any length of conversation). Fran is also a nature lover and has an avid interest in medieval history, which tops the list of Fran’s eclectic interests.

Sebastian Prior

BVSc Cert AVP(GSAS) PGcert Vet Ed FHEA MRCVS

Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Small Animal Surgery

Seb graduated from Liverpool University in 2005 and spent the first part of his career in Central London charity hospitals. 

Seb held clinical and management roles at the RSPCA, Blue Cross, Battersea and a teaching position with the Royal Veterinary College. In 2020 he entered the specialist training pathway completing an internship at a large multidisciplinary referral centre in Cambridgeshire, followed by a surgical internship at an orthopaedic-only referral centre.

He is an RCVS advanced practitioner in small animal surgery and joined the QVSH as a senior clinical training scholar in January 2022.

Moira Watkins

Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Small Animal Surgery

Moira graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2018.

Following 3 years of mixed practice in the Lake District, she moved to Willows Veterinary Referrals in Solihull to undertake a rotating internship.

She then completed a surgical internship at Highcroft Veterinary Referrals (Bristol Vet Specialists) in Bristol before starting her residency in small animal surgery with the team at Cambridge University.

Valantis Papagapiou – Intern

DrMedVet MRCVS

Valantis graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest in February 2022.

In his early career, he worked in a busy general practice in Wales while simultaneously attending numerous orthopaedic courses. It soon became evident that his true passion lay in Veterinary Orthopaedics. This enthusiasm for orthopaedics led him to join the team of East of England Veterinary Specialists as an Orthopaedic Intern Veterinary Surgeon.

Alongside his internship, he is pursuing my GP Advanced Certificate in Small Animal Orthopaedic Surgery. Outside of work, Valantis finds joy in hiking, embarking on road trips, and spending quality time with his wife and two sons.

George Vlachomitros – Intern

PgC(SAS) MRCVS

George moved to the UK in 2014 soon after he graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece. Since the beginning of his career, he developed a keen interest in small animal surgery, and in 2017 he successfully completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Surgery and he is currently pursuing an Advance Certificate in Small Animal Orthopaedic Surgery. George has worked in many busy hospitals and first opinion practices in the South East and he has rescued a small dog named Yoda.