Dr Steve Heap graduated with a Batchelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) from Massey University in 1992. After graduating Steve returned to his hometown of Auckland and for 2 years worked in an extremely busy Small Animal Practice in Papatoetoe. From there Steve embarked on a working holiday to the UK and became a qualified Veterinary Ophthalmologist in 1997. Being the South Island’s only Veterinary Eye Consultant, Steve is kept very busy seeing many referrals daily in cats and dogs from all over the South Island.
Steve sees a wide range of Surgical and Medical cases in mainly dogs and cats, but also occasionally examines horses, sheep, kiwis, penguins, llamas, chickens, reptiles and even endangered frogs at Canterbury University. Steve also EYE tests many breeds of dog to detect inherited lesions. By detecting these conditions early on in the disease process, decisions can be made on how to manage these patients longterm and whether breeding from these patients is a viable, safe, ethical option. Different inherited conditions Steve diagnoses include Cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Retinal Dysplasia, Distichiasis, Persistent Pupillary Membranes and Goniodysgenesis.
Steve also travels to Mornington Veterinary Clinic in Dunedin to provide an Ophthalmology Referral Service to clients and their pets that can’t make it to Christchurch. Steve enjoys meeting new patients and diagnosing new problems. Most patients needing surgery are operated on that day although cataract surgeries are performed by Steve in Christchurch.
Steve is enthusiastic, interested and excited by every eye case he sees. Steve has the expert skills, necessary training, knowledge and specialized equipment to handle all canine and feline breed related disorders. Steve’s favourite surgery is cataract surgery and restoring vision, which is a very rewarding procedure.
