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 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.
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.
Nicola Siebeck DrMedVet ACVIM Candidate MRCVS
Clinician Internal Medicine/Oncology
Nicola graduated from the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Germany in 2003. She was offered a research fellowship at the University of Georgia, Athens which then contributed to her DrMedVet degree in 2005. Following a short period of time in a small animal referral practice in Germany she choose to specialize further and proceeded with an internship and residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine at the Vetsuisse University Zurich, Switzerland.
Nicola has been with the AHT since completion of her residency in July 2009.
“I feel thrilled in working in an exemplary environment where research and passionate patient care are combined within a multidisciplinary referral centre. I am enthusiastic about all aspects of medicine and oncology and my major focus of interest lies in feline endocrine diseases, treatment and cure (e.g. feline hyperthyroidism, radioiodine treatment (I131).”
Sara Verganti DVM MRCVS
Fellow in Small Animal Internal Medicine & Oncology
Sara graduated at the University of Milan in 2006. As she immediately developed a strong interest for medical oncology, she soon started a one year internship in both medical and surgical oncology in an Oncologic Referral Centre near Milan. Then, she attended a 6 months-training in medical oncology in a Referral Clinic in Naples. In 2008 she started working as a general practicioner in small animal practice, dealing mainly with internal medicine and oncologic cases. During that period she also took part in the referral service for oncology in an Oncologic Referral Centre. In January 2010 she finally joined the Animal Health Trust, where she started a one year Fellowship in Internal Medicine and Oncology.
Jordi Puig DVM MRCVS
Clinical Fellow in Internal Medicine / Oncology
Jordi graduated in 2008 from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). After spending a short time in General Practice, he performed a 12 months rotating internship at the Animal Health Trust (AHT). In January 2010, Jordi joined the AHT again for a Fellowship at the Internal Medicine and Oncology Unit. His main areas of interests are gastroenterology, in particular chronic inflammatory enteropathies, liver and pancreatic diseases.
Jody Blyth Tancock 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.