Our visiting surgeons and vets
Advanced surgery, scanning and eye care for Northwood’s pets, from the independent practice that knows them by name – including laparoscopic spays for dogs.
When Punit and Priya launched Fauna Vets, their aim was a practice where we could always do what we believe is best for our patients, with no caveats or competing interests.
Sometimes what’s best is a vet with years of extra training in one area. So we bring them to us, to work alongside our own team here at the practice your pet already knows.
Laparoscopic spays
in Northwood
Laparoscopic spays – also known as keyhole spays – are available for dogs here at Fauna in Northwood.
They’re carried out by Dr Ana Murta of Endosurgical Vet, an RCVS advanced practitioner in small animal surgery who has trained in laparoscopy for the past seven years.
A laparoscopic spay uses a camera and usually just two small incisions, rather than one larger open incision. Only the ovaries are removed. Smaller wounds can mean less discomfort for your dog and a quicker, more comfortable recovery.
Laparoscopic spays are suitable for dogs weighing over 5kg. One of our vets will talk you through whether a laparoscopic spay is right for your dog, and when. We are always clear about treatment options and costs, so you’ll know exactly what we’re recommending and why.
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon
Dr Marcel Hernandez
Marcel has been part of Fauna since the day we opened, and he’s now with us about three times a month – so most weeks.
His main focus is orthopaedic surgery – the bones and joints – including cruciate surgery such as TPLO and TTA, patella luxation, hip and elbow surgery, fracture repair and arthroscopy. He also helps us with advanced soft tissue surgery, such as TECAs (a type of ear operation).
Marcel graduated from the Universidad Austral de Chile in 1999. He went on to a residency in orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery in Toronto, then a year studying small animal orthopaedics at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid. He has been head of orthopaedics for practice groups in Tenerife and the UK, and has been a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons since 2015. He’s also a member of the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association (BVOA) and the European Society of Veterinary Orthopaedics and Traumatology (ESVOT).
Ultrasound vet
Dr Ana Afonso
Ana has also been coming in since we opened. She carries out our advanced scanning – mainly cardiac scans (echocardiography), which let us look closely at how your pet’s heart is working.
Ana graduated from the University of Lisbon in 2012 and discovered her passion for ultrasound while still studying. She holds a General Practitioner Certificate in Diagnostic Imaging (GPCert DI) and a postgraduate certificate in diagnostic imaging (PgC DI), and has worked in the UK since 2015. At home, she shares her life with two very silly cats.
Advanced practitioner in small animal surgery, endosurgical vet
Dr Ana Murta
Ana is the vet behind our laparoscopic spays. She also carries out advanced soft tissue surgery for us.
Ana graduated from the University of Lisbon in 2003 and holds a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery. She is an RCVS advanced practitioner in small animal surgery. Having started out in soft tissue surgery, she has spent the past seven years training in laparoscopy – keyhole surgery – and now works as a visiting surgeon. Outside work, she enjoys travelling, walks with her family and snoozing time with her cat.
EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology, Berkshire Eye Vet
Dr John Burgess BVSc DipECVO MRCVS
John looks after our patients’ eyes. As a recognised specialist in veterinary ophthalmology, he sees pets with a wide range of eye conditions – from cataracts, glaucoma and dry eye to cherry eye, entropion and loss of vision.
John grew up in Zimbabwe and qualified from the University of Pretoria in South Africa in 2017. He then moved to the UK for a rotating internship at a referral hospital, followed by a three-year residency in veterinary ophthalmology. He became a European Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2024 and set up Berkshire Eye Vet, a visiting specialist ophthalmology service. Outside work, he enjoys sport and spending time with his growing family.
Advanced care, close to home
If your pet needs one of our visiting vets, your Fauna vet will talk it through with you first. We are always clear about treatment options and costs, so you’ll know exactly what we’re recommending and why. We’ll book them in, keep you updated and stay part of their care before and after.
It means your pet can have advanced surgery or a specialist scan here in Northwood – in a practice they know, with a team who know them by name.
Talk to us about your pet
If we haven't met you yet, you'll always be welcomed with a comfy seat, a cuppa and a smile.
Book online or call us on 01923 881633. You'll find us at 40 Green Lane, Northwood HA6 2QB.