Oncology
The Oncology Service is a small friendly team, offering a top quality specialist referral service for pets with cancer. We accept canine and feline oncology referrals from veterinary surgeons in general practice. Routine appointments are available on a daily basis from Monday to Thursday and urgent cases will be seen by arrangement at other times. We are also happy to offer advice about challenging oncology cases over the phone.
The oncology team is dedicated to improving and extending the lives of animals with cancer. We recognise the importance of compassionate care and a good quality of life and we are happy to say that many of our patients enjoy visiting us on a regular basis! We believe that good communication is paramount, ensuring that clients receive a detailed explanation of all the treatment options available, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their pet’s treatment. Sometimes patients are admitted to the hospital for a short period, particularly on the first visit, when investigations are being performed. For ongoing care, treatment is done on an outpatient basis whenever possible, so that pets and owners can maximise their time at home together. We are happy to work together with referring veterinary surgeons, such that part of the treatment can be performed at the pet’s own practice, with regular reassessment or treatment at our hospital as necessary.
The Oncology Service has expertise in treating many different types of cancer. Our work is closely integrated with other services in the hospital, such as diagnostic imaging, clinical pathology, surgery and emergency and critical care, to ensure optimal patient care. With all these facilities on-site, we can deliver an efficient service, with most patients undergoing comprehensive investigations and initiating treatment within 48 hours. We provide an extensive chemotherapy service, offering both conventional agents and newer antineoplastic drugs or delivery systems, such as implantable pleural catheters for intrathoracic chemotherapy. We endeavour to keep up to date with new developments in cancer treatment. Currently we offer novel cancer treatments, such as molecular targeted therapy for advanced canine mast cell tumours and vaccination for dogs with oral malignant melanoma. The melanoma vaccine has to be imported from the USA, on an individual patient basis. Interventional radiology is currently being developed in the hospital and we now have the capacity to place stents in dogs with urethral tumours. Although radiation therapy is not available on-site currently, we have close links with establishments close by.
Diagnostic and Treatment Facilities Include:
- Imaging: Radiography, ultrasound, MRI and CT
- Laboratory services, including cytology, clinical pathology and anatomical pathology
- 24 hour service for emergencies and hospitalised patients
- Chemotherapy
- Other cancer treatments e.g. anti-angiogenic therapy, molecular targeted therapy, bisphosphonates, palliative care
- Nutritional support
- Interventional radiology
- Critical care, including blood transfusion service
Clinical and Research Interests Include:
- Quality of life in canine and feline cancer patients
- Epidemiology - risk factors for cancer development
- Metronomic / continuous low dose chemotherapy / anti-angiogenic therapy
- Immunotherapy for melanoma and other tumours
- Immune responses in cancer patients (the role of regulatory T-cells)
- Development of novel anti-cancer agents (in collaboration with the School of Pharmacy)
- Haemostatic abnormalities in cancer patients
Key Clinicians
Ana Lara
Ana is a lecturer in veterinary oncology. She is the Head of the Oncology service and director of the Royal Veterinary College’s ACVIM oncology residency training programme.
Anneliese Stell
Anneliese is a Lecturer in small animal medicine at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA) and is particularly interested in oncology clinical research
