Our Soft Tissue Surgery department offers a comprehensive range of surgical procedures and expertise.
How we can help
Soft tissue surgery is the discipline that includes surgical management of most areas of the body other than the nervous and musculoskeletal system. This includes areas such as ENT (ear, nose and throat), thoracic (lung and cardiac), abdominal (hepatic, gastrointestinal, urogenital etc.), skin reconstruction and oncological(cancer) surgeries.
We work closely with the other clinical services in the Small Animal Hospital including Internal Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging, Anaesthesia and Oncology, to ensure the best integrated care for our patients. Our goal is to provide patient-centred care ensuring that we provide the most appropriate treatment that matches the needs of our patients and their owners.
Surgeries we perform
We can provide routine referrals for a comprehensive range of surgical procedures listed below.
Surgeries we perform
Head and Neck Surgeries
- Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Surgery (BOAS)
- Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA)
- Thyroidectomy
- Salivary mucoceles
- Cervical abscess exploration
Urogenital Surgeries
- Cystotomy / Cystostomy
- Scrotal urethrostomy
- Perineal urethrostomy
Perineal Surgeries
- Anal Sacculectomy
- Perineal hernias
Abdominal Surgeries
- Liver biopsy
- Cholecsytocentesis
- Cholecystectomy
- Gastrotomy
- Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV)
- Enterotomy
- Enterectomy
- Septic Abdomens
- Splenectomy
- Hernia – diaphragmatic / Prepubic/ Inguinal
Oncological Surgeries
- Axial pattern flaps
- Pinnectomy
- Mass removals
- Scar Revisions
- Lymph node extirpation
Minimally Invasive Surgeries
- Laparoscopic OVE
- Laparoscopic orchidectomy
- Laparoscopic Gastropexy
- Laparoscopic exploration and biopsy – hepatic, pancreatic, renal
Meet the team
James Phillips BVMS PgC(SAS) MRCVS
Clinician in Surgery
James Graduated from Glasgow University in 2012. He initially worked in mixed animal practice before moving to small animal only practice in Glasgow.
James initially worked in mixed animal practice before moving to small animal only practice where he developed an interest in surgery. He completed a post graduate certificate in surgery in 2018 and went on to work as a peripatetic surgeon for CVS offering soft tissue and orthopaedic referral surgery for their practices throughout Scotland and the North East of England. He joined the Small Animal Hospital in 2023 and has a keen interest in cruciate disease treatment and fracture repair but also specialises in oncology cases and skin reconstruction.
James is a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons recognised Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery.
Verónica Rodiño Tilve, BVSc GPCert PgC(SAS) DipECVS MRCVS
EBVS® and RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Verónica is a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery with over a decade of experience in veterinary practice. In February 2024, she achieved the European Diploma in Small Animal Surgery, earning recognition as an EBVS® and RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery.
After graduating with distinction from the University of Santiago de Compostela in 2010, Verónica pursued advanced training through rotating and surgical internships at leading institutions, including the Universities of Santiago de Compostela, Glasgow, and Liverpool. She spent time in general practice, during which she attained her Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Surgery in 2020, before embarking on a surgical residency at Southfields Veterinary Specialists.
Following her residency, Verónica worked as a small animal surgery clinician at Southfields and later as a locum surgeon, gaining extensive experience in both soft tissue and orthopaedic procedures. In January 2025, she joined the University of Glasgow as a clinician in small animal surgery, bringing her wealth of expertise and dedication to patient care back to Glasgow.
Kendra Yates RVN ISFM CertFN
Senior Veterinary Nurse
Kendra graduated as a Registered Veterinary Nurse from Edinburgh Napier University in 2017. After graduating she worked in a first opinion practice in Ayrshire but left to join the team at the Small Animal Hospital in 2022. Kendra started as a rotating nurse and worked in all areas of the hospital but quickly joined the Soft Tissue and Orthopaedic team, which she thoroughly enjoys.
Kendra has a nursing certificate from International Cat Care in feline nursing and is currently studying towards getting her certificate in surgical nursing. At home she has a senior cat, Tammy, who was adopted from Cats Protection.
