Here, you’ll find information on our brand new app, neurology and orthopaedic clinical cases, and lots of updates from our staff.
Strengthening our Movement: Welcome to the Team Eandil Maddock BVM&S CertSAS MRCVS
We are delighted to announce that Eandil Maddock, an RCVS-listed Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery, will be joining Movement Referrals on 9th February 2026, based at our NorthWest centre.
Eandil brings a wealth of expertise with over 19 years’ experience managing complex orthopaedic and spinal referral cases at leading centres including NorthWest Veterinary Specialists and Oakwood Referrals. His surgical journey began at the PDSA, where he completed his Certificate in Small Animal Surgery in 2002. After four years in a senior role within small animal practice, Eandil became the first Orthopaedic Resident at NorthWest Veterinary Specialists and has since achieved RCVS Advanced Practitioner status.
On a personal note, Eandil and his wife moved to the NorthWest in 2007 with their three young children and have since made the area home. Today, their two eldest daughters are studying medicine at university, while their son is preparing for an engineering degree. The family has shared life with many pets over the years, though currently they are kept on their toes by one mischievous tortoiseshell cat aptly named Mischief. Outside of work, Eandil enjoys mountain walking, climbing, camping, and kayaking, with memorable adventures in Canada and Iceland. As the children begin to fly the nest, he and his wife look forward to exploring more of Britain and Europe—perhaps one day in that dream campervan! We are thrilled to welcome Eandil to the team and look forward to the expertise and enthusiasm he will bring to our patients and colleagues.
We’ve launched a new web app for advice requests!
This month saw the launch of our own web app to help referring vets submit advice requests. The app can be downloaded on to a desktop or laptop computer. Vets can then submit their advice requests with attachments (radiographs, videos, pictures, clinical notes, laboratory tests) and the app will alert the clinicians at Movement Referrals to the request. The app will also generate an AI-summary of the clinical notes file.
Responses are clearly documented in a chat box function making it easy for practices to track the status of their advice requests and record the responses. Vets can create a profile in the app and a simple “refer this case” button allows quick and easy referral should this be desired. Notifications are sent to referring vets when a response has been issued.
John Innes, co-director of Movement Referrals and developer of the app said, “We recognise that many vets want advice to share with owners prior to a decision about referral. Until now, our advice requests have been submitted by email and it can be challenging for both sides of the conversation to track the status of the requests and to record responses, amongst all the other email traffic that practices have. This app is quick to install on a desktop or laptop and we have tested it with a small number of practices so far; feedback has been very positive.”
To use the app, referring practices should decide which email address they would like the app to use as the account holder. This is best to be a generic email address that all clinicians in a practice can access, or one that is constantly monitored. If you’d like to use the app, please click on the link below:
George’s Journey: From Spinal Instability to Full Recovery
George, a 10-year-old Labrador, was referred after five months of worsening hindlimb weakness and incoordination. What began as mild wobbliness noticed by his dog walker progressed to severe non-ambulatory paraparesis, leaving him unable to walk without assistance.
Neurological examination pinpointed the problem to the thoracolumbar spinal cord (T3–L3). Advanced imaging revealed chronic degeneration of the L1–L2 disc, causing spinal cord compression, nerve root involvement, and vertebral instability.
To restore function, George underwent two procedures:
Hemilaminectomy – removing disc material compressing the spinal cord Spinal stabilisation – fusing the affected vertebrae with plates and screws
Remarkably, George was walking the very next day and went on to make a full recovery. His case highlights the importance of early recognition, advanced imaging, and timely surgical intervention in spinal disease.
Owner Tips: Spotting Spinal Problems Early
What Happened?
A damaged disc pressed on George’s spinal cord, causing weakness and wobbliness in his back legs.
Why Surgery?
Compression and instability couldn’t be fixed with rest or medication alone.
Outcome:
George surprised everyone by walking the day after surgery and returning to normal life.
Early Warning Signs: Wobbly or weak back legs Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs Dragging or knuckling paws Clicking or clunking from the spine
Meet Cain, who sustained a dicondylar fracture of his humerus
Cain sustained a dicondylar fracture of his humerus. These are also known as Y-fractures because of the configuration of the fracture. These are some of the most challenging fractures to treat.
Fortunately, modern anatomical plates from Fusion Implants allow for much easier placement of the plates on the complex anatomy of the distal humerus. The plates also have screw holes that are strategically placed and allow for locking screws to be placed in the optimal positions for good bone purchase.
At 8 weeks post-operatively, Cain’s fracture had healed beautifully and he was moving very well and more than ready to get back to full exercise.
At 8 weeks post-operatively, Cain’s fracture had healed beautifully and he was moving very well and more than ready to get back to full exercise.
From ACA to Student Vet Nurse: Spotlight on Mel Gaskell
We’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on our Vet Nurse Student, Mel Gaskell. Mel joined Movement Referrals in November 2023 as an Animal Care Assistant, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Mel’s journey in veterinary care began after earning her BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from Harper Adams University. She started her career as a Laboratory Technician and Animal Care Assistant at a Specialist Referral Centre in the Northwest. After four years primarily working in the lab, Mel transitioned to the Oncology department, where she gained invaluable experience assisting with chemotherapy, ultrasounds, and the overall care of oncology patients.
At Movement Referrals, we pride ourselves on fostering an environment where our staff can grow and develop their skills. We know how important it is for our team members to feel valued and supported as they pursue their professional goals. Championing the next generation of vet nurses is central to our mission, and Mel is a fantastic example of this ethos in action. Supported by a team of highly experienced nurses, Mel is thriving as she embarks on the next stage of her veterinary journey. We’re excited to see her continue to grow, learn, and make a difference in the lives of our patients and their owners.
Creating a Movement of Excellence: Beth and Sophie’s MSc Success
At Movement Referrals, we believe that excellence starts with our people. This month, we’re proud to celebrate an incredible achievement by two of our own Registered Veterinary Nurses, who have completed their Master’s Degree in Advanced Veterinary Nursing.
Why Take the Leap?
Their decision to pursue an MSc was driven by a passion for patient care and a desire to push the boundaries of veterinary nursing. “I wanted to deepen my knowledge and make a real difference in how we approach complex cases,” Beth explains. “Advanced nursing isn’t just about assisting, it’s about leading, innovating, and applying evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes.”
What Advanced Veterinary Nursing Brings
An MSc equips nurses with expertise in:
Advanced anaesthesia techniques for high-risk patients Pain management strategies tailored to individual needs Clinical research and evidence-based protocols Leadership and mentoring within multidisciplinary teams
This level of training means our nurses don’t just support, they actively shape patient care alongside our veterinary specialists.
At Movement Referrals, we’re proud to support our team’s ambitions because when our people thrive, so do our patients. Beth and Sophie’s journey doesn’t stop here; they’ll soon be sharing their expertise by delivering CPD sessions for Veterinary Nurses, helping others broaden their knowledge within neurological and orthopaedic patients.
Celebrating Excellence: Mark Morton Awarded Fellowship for Meritorious Contributions to Clinical Practice
Last November, Mark Morton, Director at Movement Referrals, was awarded a prestigious Fellowship for Meritorious Contributions to Clinical Practice, recognising his outstanding impact on small animal orthopaedic surgery and clinical improvement. Mark is an RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics), Clinical Lead for the RCVS Knowledge Canine Cruciate Registry, and a driving force behind innovation, quality improvement, and outcome assessment in veterinary orthopaedics.
Mark’s clinical and research interests span small animal orthopaedic surgery, quality improvement, and outcome assessment, with particular expertise in Achilles tendon injuries. His work in this area led to the development of a new surgical technique, adapted from a comparable procedure in human medicine and utilising a purpose-designed implant. This innovation has contributed to improved treatment options and outcomes for patients with complex tendon injuries. In addition, Mark was the initiator and clinical lead for the RCVS Knowledge Canine Cruciate Registry—a landmark national project designed to systematically measure outcomes for one of the most common orthopaedic conditions affecting dogs.
This Fellowship adds to an already impressive list of achievements, including the RCVS Impact Award 2024 and the BSAVA J.A. Wight Memorial Award 2025. Mark has also made significant contributions to education and professional development, having previously served as Co-chair of Education for the British Veterinary Orthopaedics Association (2019–2022). Together, these accomplishments reflect Mark’s sustained commitment to advancing clinical practice, evidence-based care, and improved outcomes for veterinary patients.