Small Animal Oncology
Oncology has been one of the core disciplines at the Trust for many years. Currently the unit is composed of five staff, two clinicians, two residents and one dedicated veterinary nurse. The AHT is lucky in employing one of the few European Diplomates in Veterinary Oncology working in the United Kingdom. We work closely with our colleagues in soft tissue surgery, veterinary imaging and internal medicine to ensure the highest possible standard of care for our patients.
After diagnosis, most cases need imaging to discover the extent of the tumour burden then three main modalities of treatment can be considered. These are surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Frequently a mix of all three modalities can be used to get the best outcome for a case.
Cancer is a word loaded with emotional connotations for clients and veterinary professionals alike. When we see a case we spend at least an hour with the client talking through the implications of their animal’s disease, the treatment options and the potential advantages and disadvantages of treatment. We then support them in their decision as to the best way forward for that particular animal.
We are also happy to help veterinary surgeons with their management of cases that may not end up at the Trust. We do this via the ‘fax service’. We ask for any relevant history, together with the pathology report and any other diagnostic test results to be faxed to us. We feel that in having the information in front of us we are best able to comment usefully on that particular animal’s situation and aim to get back to the vet within 3-5 working days.
Whilst no formal charge is raised for this advice, we do appreciate a donation of £15 towards our costs in providing this service. The money raised goes towards the development of the oncology service at the Trust.
Oncology Staff
Suzanne Murphy BVM&S MSc (Clin Onc) DipECVIM-CA(Oncology) MRCVS
European and Royal College Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Oncology
Head, Oncology Unit
Sue graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1986 and, after a ten-year period in general practice, has worked at the Animal Health Trust since 1997. She first completed a Residency in Clinical Oncology, and is currently Head of the Clinical Oncology unit. Sue holds the European Diploma in Companion Animal Internal Medicine (Oncology). Sue has a particular interest in canine mast cell tumours. Her Master’s dissertation was a large retrospective study of canine mast cell tumours, which contributed towards gaining an MSc in Clinical Oncology with distinction from the University of Birmingham. Sue was Secretary and then Chairperson of the British Veterinary Oncology Study Group.
Richard Elders MVB CertSAM DACVIM MSc (Clin Onc) PhD DVM MRCVS
Senior IM/Oncology Clinician
Richard graduated from University College, Dublin in 1999, following which he completed an internship at The University of Glasgow. During a period in private first opinion small animal practice in Scotland, he attained the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Medicine. At the Royal Veterinary College, he completed a residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2005, attaining the ACVIM Diploma, while also studying at The University of Birmingham for a Masters degree in Clinical Oncology, in which he recently obtained a distinction. Richard’s PhD thesis was on targeting and apoptosis in canine mast cell tumours, based at the Royal Veterinary College and from there he worked with a private veterinary referral specialists until his move to the AHT.
Richard will be seeing mostly oncology cases but will be ably supporting his colleagues in the medicine unit.
Davide Berlato MSc (Clin Onc) MRCVS
Resident in Veterinary Oncology
Davide graduated from Padua in 2001. After his degree he worked in a small animal referral hospital in Padua. In September 2005 he moved to UK and started working in general practice in Stamford. Since January 2007 he joined the Oncology Unit of the Animal Health Trust. In October 2008 he started a residency approved for the European Diploma in Veterinary Oncology. In December 2010 he successfully completed a Master in Clinical Oncology at the University of Birmingham.
Resident in Small Animal Oncology
Sara graduated at the University of Milan in 2006. Soon after she started a one year Internship in both medical and surgical oncology in an Oncologic Referral Centre near Milan, followed by 6 months-training in medical oncology in a Referral Clinic in Naples. From 2008 to 2009 she worked as a general practicioner in a small animal practice, while taking part in the referral service for oncology in an Oncologic Referral Centre near Milan. In January 2010 she joined the Animal Health Trust as a Fellow in Internal Medicine and Oncology. At the end of October 2010 she became a Resident in Small Animal Oncology.
Jody Blyth Tancock Dip AVN (small animal) RVN A1
Oncology Nurse
Jody passed the National Diploma in Animal Care from the College of West Anglia in 2002 whilst working for a local quarantine kennels. Jody joined the AHT the same year as a trainee VN, and she gained her RCVS Veterinary Nursing Certificate in 2004. Jody continued to work at the AHT, firstly as a shift nurse (rotating through kennels, clinics and theatre) and then in 2006 she took on the role of Oncology Nurse as this is an area of particular interest to her. She has also gained her A1 assessor qualification, so she can now assess the trainee VNs at the AHT. Jody also has a Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing.
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