Dr James Gurthie in surgery
Clinicians

Dr James Guthrie

Senior Surgeon, Orthopaedics / BVM&S CertAVP(GSAS) PgCertVBM CCRT DipECVS DipACVSMR DipECVSMR FRSB FRSA FRCVS

About

RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
EBVS® European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

Dr James Guthrie is one of the most highly qualified veterinarians in Europe and the only veterinarian in the UK to be a diplomate in both small animal surgery (orthopaedics, soft tissue and neurosurgery) and canine sports medicine and rehabilitation.

His clinical passion is to maximise patient outcomes with minimally invasive surgery coupled with regenerative medicine and rehabilitation therapies, by using the latest advancements in medical technology.

James graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2010 and was awarded as the best student of his class in veterinary orthopaedics. He then completed a one-year rotating internship at Northwest Surgeons; a veterinary referral hospital in Cheshire. Following this, he spent two years working in a small animal hospital in Berkshire where he obtained the RCVS Advanced Veterinary Practice Certificate in Small Animal Surgery.

Orthopaedic surgery

In 2013, James joined Fitzpatrick Referrals as a duty vet and completed a one-year surgical internship. Following this, James stayed at Fitzpatrick Referrals to pursue his goal of becoming a specialist surgeon and completed a three-year residency programme in small animal surgery in connection with the VRCC.

James became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2018, and shortly afterwards was recognised as a specialist in small animal surgery by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Sports medicine and rehabilitation

On the day James completed his surgical residency, he began a residency in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation. James completed the residency and became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2021. In 2021, he also became certified as a canine rehabilitation therapist by the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. James became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2022.

Teaching and research

James is involved with the training of residents and interns at Fitzpatrick Referrals to help develop the specialist vets of the future. He is also a guest lecturer and clinical instruction mentor for the veterinary students at the University of Surrey. James has published multiple research papers and presented his findings at international conferences. James is education co-chair of the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association.

News

Veterinary surgeons in surgery 1 min read

Dr James Guthrie awarded a fellowship by the RCVS

Published 22.07.25 News
Christmas baubles 2 min read

Here for your patients this Christmas & New Year

Published 15.12.25 News
Wolfhound dog sitting in a vet hospital CT scanner room with radiographers, vets and a nurse. 11 min read

Celebrating World Radiography Day 2025 through the stories of our staff dogs

Published 08.11.25 Blog
Veterinary Surgeon Hrithik Varma at Fitzpatrick Referrals 3 min read

Meet our interns – Hrithik

Published 12.08.25 Blog
Professor Noel Fitzpatrick - Supervet ER series graphic 2 min read

Supervet ER series launches

Published 24.07.25 News
Fitzpatrick Referrals team members holding Best Referrals 2025 award outside the practice 1 min read

Fitzpatrick Referrals receives BestUKVets – Best Referrals 2025 award

Published 17.07.25 News
Healthy, active black Labrador running across a grassy field 15 min read

Stem cell therapy for dogs with osteoarthritis: a helpful guide for clients

Published 24.06.25 Blog
Family holding their French Bulldog with his veterinary team 5 min read

Fitzpatrick Referrals awards and accreditations

Published 23.06.25 News
Veterinary surgeon holding a 4-month-old cockapoo puppy wearing a cone in a grass field 4 min read

My year as an advanced orthopaedic intern – Anouck

Published 13.06.25 Blog
dog and client waiting at vets 2 min read

The choice is yours

Published 06.05.25 News
Veterinary nurse holding clipboard and monitoring a dog 3 min read

Q & A with Clinical Nurse Lead Fran

Published 10.10.24 Q & A
Fitzpatrick Referrals veterinary professionals kneeling with dog 3 min read

Fitzpatrick Referrals launches unique loyalty scheme for referring veterinary practices

Published 08.05.24 News
ECVSMR Scientific Meeting venue in Croatia 1 min read

Specialist James Guthrie presents at ECVSMR in Croatia

Published 10.10.22 News
Specialist James Guthrie examining a patient in consult 1 min read

Dr James Guthrie becomes a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation

Published 24.03.21 News
Springer Spaniel Search and Rescue Dog 2 min read

Client column: Our Bree, by Sara Black

Published 25.07.19 Blog
Orthopaedic surgeons James, Padraig and Susan with Professor Noel Fitzpatrick 2 min read

Fitzpatrick Referrals expands Orthopaedics team

Published 19.02.18 News
BSAVA Congress 2017 1 min read

Fitzpatrick Referrals staff speaking at BSAVA Congress 2017

Published 05.04.17 News