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 two of the eight 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.
Alison Hayes BVMS MSc(Clin Onc) CertVR DipECVIM(Oncology)MRCVS
European and Royal College Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Oncology
Senior Oncology Clinician
Alison graduated from Glasgow Veterinary School in 1991 and spent five years in practice in the north of England. She took up the first Blue Cross Residency in Oncology at the Animal Health Trust in 1996 and was awarded the RCVS Certificate in Radiology in 1998. Alison gained her Masters degree in Clinical Oncology from the University of Birmingham Medical School in 2005 with distinction, which included her work on oral squamous cell carcinoma in cats and the significance of the cyclooxygenases in prognosis and therapy. Alison is Clinical Oncologist at the AHT, Chair of the British Veterinary Oncology Study Group, and in 2007 gained her European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine diploma in Oncology.
Nele Van den Steen MRCVS
Resident in Oncology
Supported by the Beryl Evetts & Robert Luff Animal Welfare Trust
After qualifying from Ghent University in Belgium, Nele worked in small animal practice for three years. In 2005, she moved to the Animal Health Trust to do a rotating internship, and in 2006 was successful in being appointed to a residency in Small Animal Oncology at the Trust.
Davide Berlato DVM MRCVS
Resident in Oncology
Davide graduated from Padua in 2001. After completing the Italian State Board Exam, he did several externships in different institutions. From July 2002 to August 2005 he worked in Padua, in a small animal general and referral hospital. There he took part in the general and referral service for internal medicine, oncology and in the out-of-hours rota. From November 2005 to December 2006, he worked in general practice in Stamford in the UK and since January 2007 has been at the Animal Health Trust as a Resident in Veterinary Oncology.
Jody Turner 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 is also currently studying for the HE Diploma in Clinical Veterinary Nursing at University of Central Lancashire.
