Well-loved Glasgow vet retires after 40 years at Pets'N'Vets

Ivor Lough, primary care clinical director at Pets’n’Vets, retired on Friday, March 25, after a 40-year career that took him from Glasgow University Vet School to Pets’n’Vets, via Essex.

Ivor, 62, from Eaglesham, qualified as a vet in 1982. 

His early career took him to the other end of the UK, working at a small animal practice in Essex for 18 months before returning north of the border.

It was in the familiar surrounds of Glasgow that Ivor found his home, starting with Pets’n’Vets as an assistant before being taken on by then-owner George Leslie as a partner in 1987.

Ivor started at Pets’n’Vets as an assistant before being taken on by then-owner George Leslie as a partner in 1987

Ivor spent many of his years as the vet at Pets’n’Vets’ Crookfur and Hairmyres practices, along with the group’s Roundhouse hospital.

Ivor has seen tens of thousands of patients over the years, neutered thousands of pets and removed a wide variety of bric-a-brac from dogs’ intestines.

Pets’n’Vets referrals clinical director Ross Allan paid tribute to his retiring colleague.

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He said: “Ivor has overseen, and been instrumental in, many changes both within Pets’n’Vets and the wider industry over his four decades working in the veterinary sector.

“When Ivor first teamed up with George here at Pets’n’Vets, life in practice included frequent ‘on-call’ and 9am-8pm days, but they were also exciting times, with the first pet vaccinations and a rapid increase in ‘small animal’ veterinary knowledge.

“Pets’n’Vets developed a reputation during this time as ‘the place to go’ for students from Glasgow University Vet School, to see practice, learn what a small animal vet does and what being in the profession actually meant.

“At this time, Ivor was involved in early initiatives to improve veterinary care and help the profession. 

“With changes in out-of-hours in the early noughties, an increasing role for veterinary nurses, a great team and the ongoing relationship with Glasgow University, Pets’n’Vets flourished.

“In 2010, following George’s retirement, there was an opportunity to grow further and develop the practice and, since then, Pets’n’Vets has developed to be the group it is today – practices that continue to be proud to be part of their communities, whilst having the scale to be able to provide exceptional modern veterinary care.

“This development culminated in Pets’n’Vets joining national veterinary group Linnaeus in March 2021, enabling the practice to flourish further and develop into the future, whilst remaining focused on continuing to provide exceptional care for Glasgow’s pets.

“Ivor has been a fabulous colleague for all of us who have had the opportunity to work with him.

“We wish Ivor a wonderful retirement – as a vet he has committed endless hours and weekends to caring for the pets he looked after over the years.

“He was a colleague, boss, partner and confidant to many in the team but, most of all, he allowed us all to grow and develop, made us laugh and enjoy our days. Have a great retirement.”

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Ivor is now planning a slightly more relaxing time in retirement, spending more time with his wife Elaine and three grown-up children, David, Anna and Alex, along with his Labradors and Jack Russells.

A lot of time will also be spent on Arran enjoying the numerous dog walks there, while his wife also has intentions for him to become a bit more gardening-orientated, rather than just using the facility for G&Ts.

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Ivor said: “A lot has changed over my years as a veterinary surgeon. In the beginning, there weren’t nearly as many ‘toys’ to play with for diagnostics and treatment. 

“You had to rely on knowledge and instinct. You quickly developed ‘x-ray fingers’ to diagnose foreign bodies and abdominal masses.

“You also tended to build up a closer relationship with the clients and their pets, as there were only two of us in those days to do all the work.

“However, it has to be said that what we can now do for our patients was only a distant dream back then. Technology and evidence-based medicine has come very far in the last 20 years.

“I am leaving Pets’n’Vets in good shape with a team that I trust will forge ahead and keep our good name in the spotlights. I wish them all the best.”

Pets’n’Vets was founded 50 years ago in the Southside of Glasgow and is now the hub for seven veterinary practices in and around the city and Lanarkshire.