Orthopaedics: A Legacy of Excellence
As globally recognised experts and opinion leaders, Willows’ Specialist Orthopaedic team is one of the UK’s largest and most experienced, with over 90 years’ combined Orthopaedic expertise, encompassing six Specialists and two Residents. Underpinned by leading-edge technology, diagnostics and world-leading surgical techniques our team provide best-in-class Orthopaedic care.
Delivering a truly multidisciplinary approach to care enables our Specialist-led team to work collectively and collaboratively with colleagues in all Specialist disciplines to optimise diagnosis and provide outstanding treatment for every patient, ensuring the best possible clinical outcomes.
Willows has a large dedicated team of Registered Veterinary Nurses and clinical support staff available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, providing the best possible care patient care.
What can I Expect if my Pet is Referred to an Orthopaedic Specialist?
The starting point for patients referred to Willows is a detailed discussion with the owner and an examination of the patient. Diagnosing the cause of lameness often requires further investigations. Willows has access to onsite state-of-the art orthopaedic diagnostic facilities including:
- Digital radiography
- CT scanning
- MRI scanning
- Arthroscopy (a technique in which a small camera is inserted into a joint).
Our Orthopaedic Specialists treat with a wide variety of orthopaedic problems in dogs and cats, including lameness and trauma. The most common causes of lameness seen at Willows includes rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in the knee joint, and hip and elbow dysplasia. Trauma patients that are involved in road traffic accidents often sustain fractures and joint injuries. Our Emergency and Critical Care and surgical facilities enable our Orthopaedic Surgeons to optimise the management of these frequently challenging cases.
Orthopaedic surgery requires very high levels of sterile technique in order to minimise the possibility of post-operative infection. Our operating theatres are equipped and managed to the highest of standards, enabling our surgeons to provide the best chance of a good outcome for their patients.
What are the Most Common Orthopaedic Conditions?
Willows has advanced Orthopaedic instrumentation and implant systems, enabling our surgeons to perform a full range of procedures, including:
- Internal and external fracture fixation
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Joint replacements
- Joint fusions
- Correction of limb deformities.
Our surgeons are supported by a highly trained and caring team of veterinary nurses who play a critical role in rehabilitating patients following Orthopaedic surgery.
Orthopaedic Fixed Prices
To support our patients, clients and referring vets in achieving the best possible diagnosis and treatment plan we now offer a range of fixed-price packages for routine procedures to ensure a smooth referral process and provide reassurance around costs.
Willows’ fixed price packages support in making Specialist-led veterinary care accessible when it is needed most.
All patients benefit from our unique multidisciplinary approach to care. Willows’ Specialist-led team work collaboratively with colleagues across many disciplines including Anaesthesia, Diagnostic Imaging and Emergency and Critical Care in order to optimise diagnosis and provide outstanding treatment for every patient. Patients also benefit from our outstanding 24-7 out-of-hours care and dedicated nursing teams ensuring the best possible clinical outcomes.
As part of our commitment to excellence, we are now offering fixed-price packages for the following procedures:
Investigation and treatment to include:
- Consultation
- Pre and post operative radiographs
- Anaesthesia (including routine medications)
- Surgery (including all implants)
- Hospitalisation (up to three days)
- Routine medications (e.g., post operative NSAIDs or paracetamol)
- Initial Physiotherapy assessment
To find out more about our fixed price packages contact our team on 0121 712 7070 or email enquiries@willows.uk.net.
Meet The Team
Jonathan Pink
BSc BVetMed CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS
Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgery
RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)
Head of Orthopaedics
A graduate of King’s College London (1992) and the Royal Veterinary College (1997), Jonathan initially worked in mixed practice in Nottinghamshire before moving to a large small animal practice in Berkshire where he gained the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery.
In 2002 Jonathan started his Specialist training, embarking on a three year residency in small animal surgery at University College Dublin with periods spent at veterinary schools in Ohio, North Carolina, and Paris. During this time he was involved in all aspects of orthopaedic, soft tissue and neurosurgery. Jonathan remained at University College Dublin as a lecturer in small animal surgery and in 2006 became a Diplomat of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons by examination and a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery. In October 2006 he joined Willows Referral Service, focusing on orthopaedics and spinal surgery.
Jonathan’s main interests are complex fracture management, joint replacement and arthroscopy spinal disease. He has given presentations at national and international meetings on a variety of orthopaedic topics and has been an active contributor to the surgical training of students and colleagues through university teaching and continuing education courses in addition to helping to train the next generation of surgical specialists.
“At Willows, the caring ethos and commitment to providing the highest level of care to our patients and their owners allows us to offer the best possible treatment for each animal. The combination of excellent facilities and a team of experienced and highly motivated colleagues makes Willows the ideal environment in which to work and provide the level of care each patient requires.”
Toby Gemmill
BVSc MVM DSAS(Orth) DipECVS FRCVS
Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgery
RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)
Toby graduated from the University of Bristol and following a number of years in primary care practice he completed a Residency in Small Animal Surgery at the University of Glasgow. He holds the RCVS and ECVS Diplomas in Small Animal Surgery, and an MVM for research into canine elbow dysplasia. Toby was awarded Fellowship of the RCVS in 2020 for Meritorious contributions to clinical practice.
A former member of the RCVS surgery board, Toby has been an RCVS examiner and chief examiner at both certificate and diploma levels. For many years he has been active in the AO Foundation, a global not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving patient outcomes following orthopaedic surgery, as part of the AOVET European board, the Education Commission, the International Board, and the AO Board of Trustees. Toby was chair of the AOVET European board from 2018 to 2022.
Toby has authored over 50 scientific papers, conference abstracts and book chapters, and has given presentations in the UK and around the world on a wide variety of topics relating to small animal orthopaedics and spinal surgery.
Toby enjoys all aspects of small animal orthopaedics and spinal surgery, and has additional interests in effectiveness of postgraduate education, coaching and mentorship, team building, development of clinical leadership and hospital operational efficiency.
Dr Kinley Smith
MA VetMB CertSAS DipECVS PhD MRCVS
Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgery
RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)
Kinley graduated from Cambridge University in 2000 and spent 7 years in small animal practice in Derbyshire and Cheshire, gaining the Certificate in Small Animal Surgery in 2006. In 2007 he began doctoral training at the University of Liverpool investigating the mechanisms of cruciate ligament disease in dogs. This research was very successful and in 2010 he graduated with a PhD. In the same year he began a Residency in Small Animal Surgery at the University of Glasgow which he completed in 2013. He gained the ECVS Diploma in Small Animal Surgery in 2014 and RCVS Specialist status in 2015. Following 3 years working in a specialist referral practice in Derbyshire, Kinley moved to Willows Referral service in 2017.
He has published a number of scientific papers and has lectured internationally since 2008 on scientific and orthopaedic topics. Although interested in all aspects of orthopaedics, Kinley has a particular interest in ligament and tendon injuries, treatment of joint disease and management of chronic orthopaedic conditions.
Alexis Bilmont
DVM DipECVS MRCVS
Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgery
RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Alexis graduated from the Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort (France) in 2006. From 2007 to 2013, he worked as an intern and assistant in surgery at the Veterinary School of Toulouse, and at subsequently at several referral practices in the south of France. He returned to the Veterinary School of Toulouse in 2013 to undertake a three year residency programme in surgery. He became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2017.
Alexis’ clinical interests cover all aspects of orthopaedics and spinal surgery, and he has a particular interest in minimally invasive fracture repair. He is committed to providing the best possible level of care to his patients, and giving an excellent service to pet owners and referring veterinary surgeons.
When not at work, Alexis enjoys spending time with his wife and children, and playing piano. He is also a keen squash player.
Simone Anesi
DVM MVM DipECVS MRCVS
Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgery
RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Simone graduated from the University of Parma (Italy) in 2010 and subsequently spent four years in general practice. He then completed two internships, the first in a busy, orthopaedic biased referral centre in Merseyside, the second at Willows.
In 2017 he embarked on a four year combined small animal surgery residency, and master’s in veterinary medicine at the University of Glasgow. He became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2022, shortly before joining the Orthopaedic team at Willows. Simone’s interests cover all aspects of orthopaedic surgery, particularly fracture repair. When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his two dachshunds, Tito and Theo.
Dr Eugenio Gaudio
DVM PhD MRCVS
Small Animal Surgery Resident
Eugenio graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Padova, Italy, in 2016. Soon after graduation, he underwent a three-year clinically oriented PhD program in Veterinary Science focusing on postoperative pain assessment, working alongside the University of Padova’s anaesthesia and surgical team.
Being very keen on clinical research and a great wildlife enthusiast, Eugenio spent seven months at the University of Stellenbosch, RSA, and three months at Dubai Falcon Hospital, UAE, carrying out clinical work and research projects on wildlife chemical immobilisation.
In 2020, Eugenio moved to Doha, Qatar, where he undertook a role in small animal practice. He then moved to the UK in 2021, where he worked as a general practitioner for a few months before joining Willows Referrals in 2022 as a rotating intern. In 2023, Eugenio worked as a surgical intern at Fitzpatrick Referrals and commenced his ECVS Surgical Residency training.
As a result of his endeavours, Eugenio has published several papers in internationally recognised scientific journals and presented his research at various conferences.
In his spare time Eugenio enjoys playing the violin, doing physical activity, and spending time in the outdoors.
Hollie Horton
BVSc MRCVS
Small Animal Surgery Resident
Hollie graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2017 and moved to South Wales where she spent a few years in general practice developing her love of small animal surgery. In 2020, Hollie first joined the Willows team as a rotating intern, which was then followed by a surgical internship at Fitzpatrick Referrals Orthopaedics and Neurology Hospital. She rejoined Willows in July 2022 and is currently working towards a European Diploma in Veterinary Surgery.
Hollie has a rescue dog from her first job with whom she loves walking and exploring the countryside with. She also enjoys swimming and skiing.
Matija Mesko
DVM MRCVS
Small Animal Surgery Intern
Matija graduated from the University of Zagreb, Croatia in 2016, during his time in university he developed an interest in surgery and volunteered at Department for Surgery University of Zagreb for two years alongside busy student life.
After graduating, Matija continued to work in a surgical role at the University before moving to the UK in 2018 to work in a busy first opinion practice in Rugby.
Wanting to gain more experience in Emergency and Critical Care, Matija successfully completed the Vets Now Cutting Edge Programme in 2020 and worked as an ECC veterinarian in Swindon before starting his path towards gaining his ECVS Diploma, completing internships at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists and London Vet Specialists. Matija is also currently working towards a postgraduate certificate in Surgery with Harper Adams University and writing two scientific papers.
Matija enjoys all aspects of surgery from minimally invasive soft tissue surgery to complex fracture repair. In his spare time he likes to take care of his bonsai trees and aquarium, watching football and spending time outdoors on walks.
Orthopaedics
Find out more
To assist owners in understanding more about Orthopaedics we have put together a range of information sheets to talk you through the some of the more common orthopaedic conditions seen and treated by our Specialists.
