Page 3 - RVC Clinical Connections - Spring 2025
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Transformations amid a string of The relationship between RVC referral teams
springs and vets in the wider community is always
elcome to the spring 2025 edition collaborative, as is the relationship between
of Clinical Connections. While we vets and owners when animals require precise
W are all conscious of challenging aftercare at home. There is a vivid example of
times in the wider world, we continue to focus the value of this collaboration in the article on
on our amazing and diverse community page four about a dog that was close to losing
of staff and students and the fantastic and an eye but recovered due to the efforts of vets
innovative care we deliver to our patients, and the owners. I’d encourage you to read
their owners and our referring vets and Serena Maini’s article about Lily, a 10-year-old
practices. Parson Russell terrier, whose eye was saved
The weather has been amazing for April thanks to a joint effort between vets and the
and on both of our campuses staff and owners.
students are enjoying the fruits of an ambitious building project, Hopefully, you will have seen our front page article about the
which started in 2019. For example, we have the new Student value of the new equine CT scanner for patients, veterinary
Learning Centre, which provides new teaching laboratories, education, advanced training and research. If you weren’t one
a library and a main lecture theatre, alongside informal social of the practitioners who got along to our tour and met our equine
learning spaces. diagnostic imaging specialists in March, I’d recommend reading
With different areas being completed at different times – and the article Dagmar Berner and Freddie Dash spanning page one
the wealth of developments happening clinically and in research and two.
– there is often a feeling of spring and rejuvenation even on cold The Exotics Service is primarily based at the Beaumont
days at the RVC. And the energy and enthusiasm of fresh faces Sainsbury Animal Hospital in Camden but the team also provides
seeking to learn and care for animals also helps create that sense a weekly clinic at the QMHA. The article on page five, by Joanna
of endless blossoming. Hedley and Vicki Baldrey, discusses two very different species
As you know, ensuring clinical services meet the needs that benefited from the provision at our Hertfordshire site.
of patients and clients is an ongoing process for all veterinary The article spanning the centre pages outlines some of the
services. Soon we will embark on the biggest transformation of cases coming through our new chemotherapy treatment room. It
our small animal referrals service there has been in decades. is 16 years since the Oncology Service established a dedicated
The Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA) has enabled chemotherapy treatment centre at the QMHA – and the number
the treatment of approximately 150,000 animals over the last of cases coming through has increased year-on-year since. Last
decade alone and we expect a new hospital will enable even December the team moved into the new area, which enables
more patients to be treated, with the most advanced equipment. even more animals to be treated and cared for in a comfortable,
In addition to meeting the needs of patients, clients relaxed environment.
and referrers, we need to ensure our facilities and clinical The article on page eight concerns an extremely complex
educators meet the needs of society. Whilst we continue cardiology case. Murphy’s case involved the Emergency Referral
our work training specialists and providing referral services, Service, the Internal Medicine Service, and Antibiotic Stewardship
we will also be increasing the amount of first-opinion team and the Diagnostic Imaging team, as well as the Cardiology
work our students get involved with during their training. Service and his local veterinary practice. On admission Murphy
was barely responsive and his owner reports that he has been
doing extremely well since discharge.
Amanda Boag, Vice Principal (Clinical Services)
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