Pride Veterinary Referrals

Meet Monica, one of the latest interns to join our Neurology team earlier this year.

Originally from Bucharest, Romania, Monica completed her veterinary degree before further expanding her education through training in referral hospitals across Spain, Poland and Italy. In 2024, she moved to the UK to continue developing her clinical expertise, completing a rotating internship at a referral hospital near London.

In February 2026, Monica joined the Neurology team at Pride Referrals, where she is continuing her progression towards board certification in Neurology and Neurosurgery.

Outside of work, Monica enjoys learning new languages, long walks in nature and spending time with dachshunds.

We're delighted to have Monica as part of the team and look forward to supporting her on the next stage of her neurology journey.

We are delighted to share that two colleagues from Pride Veterinary Centre have been recognised in the RCVS Knowledge Awards 2026

Rachel Tring and Alexandra Harris-Dean were both awarded Highly Commended Runner-Up status for their Quality Improvement projects, an achievement that reflects their commitment to advancing veterinary care through evidence-based improvement.

The RCVS Knowledge Awards celebrate individuals and teams who use recognised Quality Improvement (QI) methods to drive measurable improvements in veterinary practice. The awards highlight projects that contribute to better outcomes, safer care, and a culture of continuous learning across the profession.
Being recognised as a Highly Commended Runner-Up places both projects amongst the strongest submissions received nationally and acknowledges the real-world impact that Quality Improvement can have within veterinary healthcare.
Congratulations to Rachel and Alexandra on this well-deserved recognition and for their contributions to improving quality, safety and patient care.

Celebrating World blood donor day with Willow.

We’re so happy to share an uplifting update about our lovely feline patient, Willow! Willow was the recipient of a whole blood transfusion at our hospital in February 2026 after becoming severely anaemic and weak due to bleeding associated with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.

At the time, Willow was very unwell, but shortly after her transfusion she made a remarkable turnaround - becoming brighter, more comfortable and much more like herself again.

Since then, she has continued to improve beautifully at home and has responded very well to her ongoing treatment and care from her dedicated owners!

We’re delighted to report that Willow has not required any further transfusions, and she is continuing to do well under careful medical management for her condition.

Cases like Willow’s are a wonderful reminder of how truly lifesaving blood transfusions can be, giving patients the crucial support they need to recover and thrive.

Go Willow!

If you have a cat who would like to become a feline blood donor, please follow the link to register.

https://wkf.ms/4vE1F1n

Suitable cats should be:
1-10 years old
Over 4kg
Healthy with no ongoing health issue
Up to date with vaccines and flea/ worm treatment
Not travelled outside the UK
Never had a blood transfusion
Calm and doesn't get too stressed in the veterinary environment

A full health check with complete bloods, FeLV/ FIV testing and blood typing is included as part of the pre-screen check to make sure they are safe to become a donor, which is all free of charge.

They will also get a goodie bag full of treats and toys as a thank you after each donation!

This sunday it's "World Blood Donor Day" and we want to recognise the incredible impact that blood donors have in Veterinary medicine.

Every day, donated blood helps save the lives of critically ill and emergency patients in Veterinary hospitals across the UK. From trauma cases to complex surgeries and severe illnesses, blood donors can make all the difference.

Did you know that there is currently no national blood bank for feline patients in the UK? When cats urgently need blood transfusions, veterinary hospitals often rely on the kindness and generosity of owners willing to bring their pets in to donate at short notice. At Pride Veterinary Referrals, we are incredibly grateful to the clients and followers who help us save lives when that urgent phone call comes.

Introducing one of our feline heroes, "Pudge".

Pudge was rescued as a kitten by one of our medicine Nurses here at Pride Veterinary Referrals and recently gave back in the most amazing way by becoming a blood donor during an emergency situation.

His donor journey began with a full health check by our Medic, placement of an IV cannula and comprehensive blood testing. Once we confirmed that Pudge was fit and healthy (and importantly a compatible blood type match for the recipient), he underwent a carefully monitored sedation for his donation.

Supported throughout by one of our RVNs, Pudge had a small area of fur clipped and cleaned on his neck before donating a safe volume of blood appropriate for his body weight. Afterwards, he recovered with plenty of cuddles, treats and a well-earned dinner before heading home for even more playtime and fuss.

We are so proud of patients like Pudge and grateful to the owners and teams who help support lifesaving blood donation in veterinary medicine.

If you have a feline companion who would be a great life saver, please register by following the link -

https://wkf.ms/4vE1F1n

Cataract Awareness Month – Protecting Your Pet’s Vision

Cataracts are a common cause of vision loss in both dogs and cats, but the good news is that in many cases, they can be treated!

A cataract causes the lens inside the eye to become cloudy, which can affect your pet’s vision and confidence.

Signs to look out for:
Cloudy or white appearance in the eye
Bumping into objects
Reluctance in low light or unfamiliar places
Changes in behaviour

At Pride Veterinary Referrals, we offer dedicated hour long appointments to fully assess your pet and discuss cataract surgery options in detail. These consultations are carried out by our experienced cataract surgeon Pedro Malho, a Diplomate Ophthalmologist, European and RCVS recognised Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham.

If you’re concerned about your pet’s vision or would like to explore treatment options, please ask your primary care vet for a referral to Pride Veterinary referrals, we’re here to help!

With summer fast approaching, brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Shih Tzus may find it increasingly difficult to cope with warmer temperatures.

Many of these dogs are affected by Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), a condition that can make breathing challenging and significantly impact their quality of life. Common signs include noisy breathing/snoring, exercise intolerance, excessive panting, disturbed sleep and difficulty coping in warm weather.

At Pride Veterinary Referrals, our dedicated BOAS package provides a comprehensive assessment and surgical treatment options designed to help affected dogs breathe more easily and enjoy a better quality of life.

If you'd like to find out more about a BOAS consultation at Pride Veterinary Referrals, speak to your primary care veterinary surgeon and about a referral to our surgical team.

🐾 Because every breath matters.

Hi, I'm Anna, and I'm excited to be joining the team at Pride Referrals as a Surgical Intern.

I graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2015 and have worked as a small animal vet in my home county of North Yorkshire ever since. Throughout my career I've worked in both private and charity practice, treating a wide range of species from wildlife to much-loved household pets. More recently, I spent several months working as a vet at an American university in the Caribbean, which was a fantastic experience that broadened my clinical skills and gave me an insight into veterinary education outside the UK. And I got to swim with Sea Turtles!

These varied experiences have helped shape my interests in both teaching and surgery, with a particular interest for orthopaedics.

Outside of work, I have a 16-year-old domestic shorthair cat called Fury (as in The Night Fury, not Tyson Fury!). I originally looked after her for a week while her owners were on holiday... seven years later and she's still here!

When I'm not at work, you'll usually find me exploring the countryside, learning to play the piano, or taking part in a variety of sports, with football being my favourite.

I'm excited to explore Derbyshire and meet the clients and patients at Pride Referrals. I hope to make the most of this opportunity to learn from the specialist surgical team while further developing my surgical knowledge and clinical skills.

At , we’re passionate about supporting our teams to grow, develop, and pursue the areas of Veterinary medicine they love most.

For Nurse Rachel, that journey has led her into Advanced Imaging.

“For over 25 years I have worked for Scarsdale Vets, developing extensive experience in veterinary nursing and patient care, especially since working at Pride Veterinary Referrals. I have always had a strong interest in diagnostic imaging and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to progress into the role of Advanced Imaging Nurse in MRI & CT in February 2025.

I am thoroughly enjoying expanding my skills and knowledge within this specialist area. I have undertaken CT & MRI online courses with Eden Learning throughout the year, which I have really enjoyed. I am trained in performing CTs and am now concentrating on performing MRIs. The team I work with are amazing and I am absolutely loving this role!”

Rachel’s progression is a brilliant example of how career development can take many different paths. At Pride Veterinary Referrals, we’re proud to support our teams in advancing their clinical interests, building specialist skills, and developing fulfilling careers - whether that’s through leadership, education, or hands-on clinical progression.