VeterinaryOncology.co.uk
Mission Statement
To improve the overall management and hence maximise the quality of life for pets with cancer by providing an advisory & referral service in small animal oncology for veterinary surgeons throughout the West Country.
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Background
We cannot converse with our pets: thus we cannot explain what we are doing or why and, as far as we are aware, our pets are not looking forward to anything in the future. This means that as veterinary oncologists our primary emphasis has to be on quality of life with increased longevity as a desirable but secondary consideration.
No two cases are ever the same and an oncologist has to have an in-depth knowledge of a wide range of disciplines, see below, in order to assess...
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The patient
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The cancer
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Currently available treatments as well as those that are being developed.
...with the aim of giving the patient the maximum quality of life for as long as possible.
The standard of small animal veterinary practice is advancing extremely rapidly and there is a relentless acceleration in clinical information aimed at veterinary clinicians. Despite their best efforts, no clinician can be up-to-date or skilled in all areas and of necessity general practitioners have to concentrate on those areas that are most pertinent to their day-to-day work.
The aim of VeterinaryOncology.co.uk is to provide a resource for clinicians in practice in order to assist them to provide a high standard of care for those patients with cancer: from simple telephone advice through to a referral facility for more advanced treatment.
This service is run by Rob Harper, BVM&S, MSc (Clin Oncol), MRCVS, FRGS.
Rob qualified from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at Edinburgh in 1976 and has worked almost exclusively in small-animal practice since then.
A fascination with cancer and its management in pets developed out of his interest in soft-tissue surgery. In 2003 he undertook a post-graduate degree in Clinical Oncology at the Cancer Research Institute for Cancer Studies gaining his Master's degree in 2006.
From a base Wells in North Somerset he sees cases at several carefully selected veterinary practices in the West Country, (Click for map) and is married to Helen who also works as a small animal veterinary surgeon.
Outside of veterinary work his main interest has been in outdoor pursuits - in particular caving. As well as caving regularly in the UK and Europe he has organised expeditions to Peru, Alaska, Meghalaya (N.E.India), Sulawesi, Thailand and Panama and led reconnaissance trips to Myanmar, (formerly Burma), the Dominican Republic and China. He has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Telephone/fax/email advice is free-of-charge on all aspects of small animal oncology including but not confined to...
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Prophylaxis
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Diagnosis and Staging
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Interpretation of laboratory results
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Therapeutic options
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Palliative care options
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Safe handling of cytotoxic drugs
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Guidelines for obtaining further information
For further details please click here to contact VeterinaryOncology.co.uk.
As with any other discipline; most referrals are for cases that are complicated or difficult in some aspect and when the primary clinician feels that assessment and possibly treatment at a centre with more focussed facilities, experience and knowledge is likely to benefit the patient.
With the exception of extremely specialised areas, (e.g.radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, scintigraphy), all aspect of case management are covered: including...
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Surgical and medical management of the cancer
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Diagnosis
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Staging
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Palliative Care
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Treatment only cases - An increasing number of cases are referred for treatment only with the rest of the case management being done at the home practice. Usually this is for chemotherapy as many general practices do not have the facilities and/or trained staff to administer the drugs safely.
To refer a case please contact VeterinaryOncology.co.uk using the information on the "Contact Us" page of this website, (click here to be transferred now). After discussion between all the parties involved the case will be assigned to the most appropriate centre and seen as soon as possible. Following and initial consultation a report will be posted and either faxed or emailed to the referring practitioner within 24 hours.
Whether it is just for one practice or a large group, CPD is available, with sufficient notice, on almost any small animal oncology related topic. For further details please click here to contact VeterinaryOncology.co.uk.