Welcome to Abbey Vet Services
Abbey Veterinary Services is a well established diagnostic veterinary laboratory (founded in 1985) specialising in histopathology and cytopathology but also provides other services including clinical pathology (haematology, biochemistry, serology and endocrinology )and bacterial/fungal culture and full urine analysis.
Pathology Services
Microbiology Services
Clinical Pathology
Our Team
Pathologists
Cheryl Scudamore
Director of Anatomic Pathology
Cheryl graduated from Liverpool University and then gained a PhD from Aberdeen University before focussing on pathology initially at the R(D)SVS in Edinburgh contributing to their diagnostic service and research programmes. She was awarded Membership of the RCPath in 2001 subsequently becoming a Fellow of both the RCPath and RCVS.
Trevor Whitbread
Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist
Trevor was in a mixed practice in Leicester before returning to Liverpool as a lecturer in the Department of Veterinary Pathology. He gained experience in general diagnostic pathology and clinical chemistry before specialising in histopathology and cytology. He has a special interest in dermatopathology and is now a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Pathology.
Malcolm Silkstone
Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist
After qualifying in South Africa, Malcolm had a period of post-graduate pathology training which was followed by three years in general practice in the UK. Malcolm has obtained extensive diagnostic pathology experience over the past twelve years culminating in gaining American Board Diplomate status. He has specialist interests in oncology and dermatopathology and infectious diseases.
Sonja Rivers
BVetMed, MSc., MRCVS, DipACVP
Sonja graduated from the RVC and spent four years in mixed practice, followed by post-graduate pathology training, obtaining her MSc from the RVC in London. This was followed by completing a residency in the university of Illinois Zoological Pathology Programme, culminating in gaining a diploma of the American Board of Veterinary Pathologists.
Judith Hargreaves
MVB FRCPath MRCVS
Judith graduated from Dublin and spent the following three years gaining experience in mixed practice. Since the mid 1980s she has obtained extensive experience in pathology and is FRCPath qualified. Judith has specialist interests in oncology, oral and upper respiratory tract pathology.
Lucy Oldroyd
BSc BVMS Dip ACVP MACVS MRCVS
Lucy graduated from Murdoch University, Western Australia. After eighteen months in mixed practice she returned to Murdoch University to complete a pathology internship. She became, by examination, a member of the pathobiology chapter at the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. She moved to the UK to join Abbey Veterinary Services in 1995. In 2005 she became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.
Karl Fischer
Customer Services Manager
Karl was promoted to Customer Services Manager in April 2017. Previously Karl was Senior Administrator at the Knutton Laboratory. Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, where he gained a BA degree. His background is largely in IT support, having worked for IBM in Kansas City, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Karl is closely involved with plans to implement a new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) across all sites, which will benefit our clients and improve sample handling and traceability across the business.
Patricia Trasobares Urdiales
Veterinary Clinical Pathologist
Patricia graduated in 2014 from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine León, Spain. After gaining work experience in small animal and cattle practice she worked in a laboratory setting relating to swine reproduction. Patricia joined CAPL in 2014, as an intern, and became a full time member of the team in 2015. She is now a trainee clinical pathologist, her particular interests being biochemistry and haematology.
Stephen Steen
Laboratory Manager and Microbiology Adviser to the NWL Group
Stephen has two Fellowships of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (Bacteriology and Virology), is board certified as a Histocompatability Specialist with the American Board of Histocompatability and Immunogenetics (ABHI), holds a Masters Degree in Pathological Sciences with an immunology specialty and has both an HNC in biomedical sciences and an HND in animal welfare and management. He studied at John Moores University, Liverpool, and the University of California. He is involved in on-site teaching of undergraduate students and helping in the development of treatment strategies with our clients.
Debra Fews
Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist
Debra graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1997 and went on to complete an internship at the RVC in Equine medicine and surgery. After a few years in first opinion and referral equine practice, Debra attained a Certificate in Veterinary Anaesthesia, later she had a residency in veterinary pathology at the University of Bristol followed by a clinical fellowship in Veterinary pathology. In 2005 she was awarded the Diploma of the Royal College of Pathologists. Followed by MRCPath in 2006 then a Fellowship. In 2013 she became a recognised specialist in veterinary pathology. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an honorary senior teaching fellow in veterinary pathology at the University of Bristol. She is a senior examiner for the Royal College of Pathologists and is a member of the Standing Advisory Committee for Veterinary Pathology.
Case of Interest
Dog Skin: Pemphigus foliaceous
Pemphigus foliaceous is an uncommon autoimmune disease directed at intercellular adhesion molecules. Triggering factors are unknown and most cases are considered idiopathic. However, occasionally it does represent a manifestation of a drug reaction or can appear as a paraneoplastic syndrome. Lesions generally arise on, but not confined to, the face, ears and digits in ititial stages but then often become generalized