Dr Elise Robertson

Amber Vet|Dr Elise Robertson

Dr Elise Robertson

Feline Specialist, BS BVetMed MANZCVSc(Feline) DipABVP(Feline) FHEA FRSB FRCVS

Experienced in Feline Medicine, Endoscopy & Minimally Invasive Care

Dr Elise Robertson is a recognised specialist in feline practice with over 20 years of experience in cat care. She focuses on feline internal medicine, diagnostic and interventional endoscopy, and minimally invasive procedures, using a cat-centred approach to reduce stress and support accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Dr Elise also provides advanced diagnostic and interventional endoscopy services for both cats and dogs at Amber Vet in Singapore, while sharing her expertise with veterinary teams across Asia, the UK, and the Middle East. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and contributes to veterinary education through lectures, publications, and mentoring, all with the aim of improving the health and well-being of cats in clinical practice.

Professional Background & Education

  • Years of Practice: Over 20 years of experience in feline medicine and endoscopy
  • Education:
    • BS (cum laude) Colorado State University (Biological Sciences/Anatomy & Neurophysiology)
    • BVetMed (Hons) The Royal Veterinary College, University of London
    • MANZCVSc Member Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Feline Chapter)
    • DipABVP, Diplomate American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Feline)
    • FHEA, Fellow Higher Education Academy
    • FRCVS, Fellow Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
    • FRSB, Fellow Royal Society of Biology
  • Board Certification & Professional Recognition:
    • ABVS® Recognised Board Certified Specialist in Feline Practice (2012)
    • Hong Kong Recognised Specialist
    • Singapore Recognised Specialist
    • Fellow Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2020 for her contributions to the advancement of veterinary endoscopy education
    • Member, Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (2008 Feline Medicine)
  • Postgraduate Training & Advanced Clinical Training
    • Medical and interventional endoscopy, Minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery, Feline internal medicine
    • Royal Free NHS Hampstead (London, UK)
    • Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital & European Endoscopy Training Centre (Rome, Italy)
    • Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Children’s Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand)
    • Veterinary centres in France, Germany, the USA, and the UK

Advanced Training & Experience

Dr Elise is experienced in diagnosing and managing complex feline conditions, including gastrointestinal, respiratory, and endocrine disorders. Her evidence-based and cat-specific approach ensures accurate diagnoses and compassionate care for even the most sensitive feline patients.

Dr Elise performs comprehensive diagnostic endoscopic procedures in cats and dogs, allowing minimally invasive evaluation and treatment of diseases affecting the gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary, and ear systems.

Diagnostic Endoscopic Procedures include:

  • Upper Respiratory Endoscopy
    Rigid rostral rhinoscopy and flexible nasopharyngoscopy
  • Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
    Oesophagoscopy, gastroscopy, duodenoscopy, and proximal jejunoscopy
  • Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
    Colonoscopy, ileoscopy, and distal jejunoscopy
  • Otoendoscopy
    Diagnostic and interventional examination of the ear canals and middle ear
  • Urethrocystoscopy and Vaginoscopy
  • Exploratory Diagnostic Laparoscopy
    Liver, pancreatic, lymph node, and splenic biopsies, as well as cholecystocentesis

Dr Elise offers minimally invasive surgical options for cats and dogs where appropriate, reducing post-operative discomfort and supporting faster recovery.

Procedures include:

  • Laparoscopic procedures
  • Laparoscopic ovariectomy (single- and double-port)
  • Laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy
  • Laparoscopic abdominal cryptorchidectomy
  • Full intracorporeal laparoscopic gastropexy
  • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (selected cases only)

Dr Elise uses minimally invasive endoscopic and laser techniques to diagnose and treat conditions in cats and dogs, that are affecting the airways, digestive tract, urinary system, and ears. These procedures allow targeted treatment with less discomfort and faster recovery.

Conditions affecting breathing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and infections:

  • Removal of foreign material from the nose and airways
    (Endoscopic foreign body removal – nasal cavity, trachea, bronchial)
  • Treatment of chronic sinus and nasal inflammation
    (Trans-nasal endoscopic rhinosinusitis debridement and lavage)
  • Endoscopic treatment for fungal nasal infections
    (Trans-nasal debridement and antifungal therapy for fungal rhinitis / aspergillosis)
  • Palliative treatment to reduce bleeding or obstruction from nasal tumours
    (Nasal tumour vessel ablation, cytoreduction, and debulking)
  • Polyp removal from the nasal passages
    (Nasopharyngeal polypectomy)

Problems involving swallowing, vomiting, diarrhoea, or intestinal disease:

  • Removal of swallowed objects from the stomach or intestines
    (Gastric endoscopic foreign body removal)
  • Widening of narrowed food passages to improve swallowing
    (Laser and balloon dilatation for oesophageal strictures / nasopharyngeal stenosis)
  • Endoscopic removal of growths or polyps from the digestive tract
    (Gastric, duodenal, and colonic polypectomy)
  • Feeding tube placement when long-term nutritional support is needed
    (PEG-tube placement – standard or low-profile)

Chronic ear infections, polyps, cysts, or middle ear disease:

  • Deep ear and middle ear flushing for chronic infections
    (Tympanic recess and bulla lavage)
  • Endoscopic removal of abnormal tissue from the middle ear
    (Transaural cholesteatoma debridement and tympanomeatal access)
  • Endoscopic access to the middle ear in cats when standard approaches are limited
    (Otoscopic trans-tympanic septum trephination for ventral bulla access)
  • Laser treatment of ear gland cysts
    (Laser ablation of ceruminous cystomatosis)
  • Endoscopic removal of ear polyps
    (Otic polypectomy)

Issues affecting urination, continence, or bladder health:

  • Laser correction of abnormal ureter openings
    (Laser treatment of intramural ectopic ureters)
  • Palliative laser treatment to reduce obstruction or bleeding from bladder tumours
    (Laser debulking of bladder tumours / urethral transitional cell carcinoma)

At Amber Vet, Dr Elise leads FMT treatments for cats with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and other chronic gastrointestinal conditions. Using full endoscopic guidance, she is among the few veterinarians in Singapore offering this advanced therapy, which restores healthy gut flora and supports long-term digestive recovery.

Teaching, Leadership & Research

Beyond clinical practice, Dr Elise is deeply involved in veterinary education, research, and

  • Co-Lecturer: CE Endoscopy & Endosurgery Courses, Translational Medicine Institute (Colorado State University)
  • Course Lecturer: ESAVS in advanced endoscopic ENT
  • Visiting Professor: Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangkok
  • International Speaker: Lecturing and conducting workshops across the UK, USA, Europe, UAE, and Asia

Awards & Recognition

  • BSAVA Frank Beatty Travel Scholarship (2017)
  • BSAVA PetSavers Award (2018)
  • Fellow, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (FRCVS) (2020)

Approach to Care

Dr Elise’s philosophy combines technical precision, feline-specific handling, and compassion. She takes time to understand each cat’s behaviour, stress triggers, and environment, ensuring a calm experience during diagnosis and treatment.

Her mission is to make veterinary visits as comfortable and fear-free as possible, while empowering cat owners through education and clear communication.

Amber Vet|Dr Elise Robertson