Grace McIntosh

• Gained experience across all aspects of first-opinion practice including consulting, surgery, inpatient care, and emergency case management within a busy hospital setting.
• Developed confidence managing a wide range of routine and urgent cases independently, with appropriate escalation when required.
• Built a solid foundation in routine surgical procedures including neutering in dogs and cats, lump removals, and wound management.
• Performed procedures including mast cell tumour removal with clear margins, tail amputation, aural haematoma surgery, and exploratory paw surgery.
• Assisted in more complex procedures including pyometra surgery, caesarean sections, and limb amputation.
• Gained hands-on experience in emergency presentations including urethral obstruction, dyspnoea, seizures, toxin ingestion, and congestive heart failure.
• Developed confidence in perioperative planning including anaesthesia, analgesia, and post-operative care.

Communication and consulting skills

• Confident managing a high caseload of both routine and emergency consultations while maintaining a high standard of care.
• Developed a calm and empathetic consulting style, particularly in challenging or emotional situations such as euthanasia and emergency care.
• Strong ability to build rapport with clients and involve them in diagnostic and treatment decisions.
• Experienced in managing client expectations and navigating complex or sensitive conversations.

Diagnostic abilities

• Confident in selecting and interpreting a wide range of diagnostics including haematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, and cytology (FNA, ear, and skin).
• Experienced in performing and interpreting blood smears, faecal analysis, and culture and sensitivity testing.
• Competent in diagnostic imaging including radiography and emergency ultrasound (AFAST/TFAST).
• Performed procedures including cystocentesis, ACTH stimulation tests, and urinary catheterisation.
• Able to use diagnostic findings to guide clinical decision-making and formulate treatment plans.

Emergency and critical care experience

• Regularly involved in triage and stabilisation of emergency patients while working 1 in 4 weekends.
• Managed emergency cases including blocked cats, road traffic accidents, dyspnoeic patients, and cardiac cases.
• Confident initiating treatment including oxygen therapy, fluid therapy, analgesia, and emergency diagnostics.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced ICU environment and recognising when to seek additional support.

Medical case experience and interests

• Strong interest in internal medicine with experience managing cases including diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, UTIs, and pancreatitis.
• Independently diagnosed and managing a case of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMTP), including ongoing monitoring and treatment adjustment.
• Confident working up cases from initial presentation through diagnostics to treatment planning.
• Particularly enjoy involving clients in the decision-making process and long-term case management.

Additional clinical exposure

• Gained additional experience in ophthalmology through targeted shadowing of ophthalmology specialists to strengthen confidence in this area.
• Increasing exposure to exotic species, including management of rabbit gut stasis and basic reptile cases.

Teamwork and professional development

• Thrive in a collaborative team environment and contribute positively to a supportive workplace culture.
• Actively seek opportunities to improve clinical skills and expand knowledge.
• Confident recognising limitations and asking for senior input when required.
• Committed to continued professional development and progression within the profession.