Page 3 - Clinical Connections - Summer 2023

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to the summer issue of patients have been helped by the treatments.
Clinical Connections! Last year saw us baking Francisco Llabres-Diaz discusses imaging-
through a particularly hot British summer. I am guided procedures on page six. Ultrasound
not sure whether after 22 years I have become is the most commonly used imaging modality
acclimatised to the cooler weather here but and fine-needle aspirates are the most
last year was a stinker – even for someone commonly performed of the ultrasound-
born and bred in Sydney! We could easily see guided procedures. One example Francisco
record temperatures again this year, which discusses is fine-needle aspirates of small
poses particular risks for pets, especially flat- lymph nodes, which can be a couple of
faced breeds, overweight and older pets and millimetres in width. Progress in this field
those with certain pre-existing conditions. And supports specialist veterinary training at the
there seems little doubt we should expect RVC, as well as the animals referred to us.
more frequent episodes of extreme conditions, The article from members of our exotics
for at least the intermediate future. team, on page seven, also highlights
More positively, as veterinary professionals breakthroughs in treatment that can be
it seems major developments in managing our achieved by a combination of expertise and
patients are occurring almost as frequently advanced equipment. The acquisition by the
as the previously mentioned extreme weather events. As a team of a radiosurgical unit and surgical magnification loupes has
profession we have been seeing some seismic shifts in veterinary expanded the depth and breadth of care that can be delivered.
science and techniques over the years – and I am proud that the This includes intricate procedures for the most delicate of patients.
RVC has been involved in a large number of these. On page eight Jenny Reed discusses equine arrhythmias,
In this issue we have articles about progress in a number of including developments of diagnostic techniques. Once again,
areas, including procedures that have been established and the combination of expertise, technology and innovative
finessed by our clinical teams, advancements in imaging that approaches is key to achieving successful outcomes. Managing
allow our clinicians to help patients in new ways, and research equine tachydysrhythmias remains a constantly evolving field –
that is relevant for the whole profession. and opportunities for successful resolution of these challenging
Our cover article illustrates the range of cases tackled by our cases continue to grow.
Neurology and Neurosurgery Service in a typical week. In addition Henny Martineau, Head of Veterinary Forensic Pathology,
to the incredible work performed by members of that team, the focuses on the problem of lamb scavenging in the article on page
spectrum of cases illustrates the value of our transdisciplinary nine. Predation of lambs by wildlife not only causes detrimental
approach. Cases seen by Neurology and Neurosurgery routinely suffering to lambs and ewes but can also have a significant
have input from Emergency and Critical Care, Orthopaedics, impact on farmers. Henny discusses research that can shed light
Oncology or Veterinary Physiotherapy – not to mention Diagnostic on risk factors involved and help identify species contributing to
Imaging! the losses.
Andy Yale’s article on page four, about sentinel lymph node On page ten Dirk Werling, Professor of Molecular Immunology,
mapping, illustrates how novel diagnostic tools can transform outlines some fascinating research into the dispersal of intranasal
how clinical teams work – and expand what they can offer vaccine. The research, which could have broad ramifications for
to patients. This and other advancements in cancer care are vets, employed a 3D printed calf head model to assess vaccine
markedly improving the prognosis and quality of life of cats, dogs dispersal.
and other species. I’d also encourage you to take a look at the short piece on page
A decade ago, RVC Small Animal Referrals was the first UK two about our survey of employers of RVC graduates. Feedback
veterinary service to offer extracorporeal therapies for cats and is incredibly valuable to us as it helps ensure that the RVC
dogs. We remain the only service in the UK to provide it. Over continues to equip graduates with the skills you need.
the decade, the range of patients that could be helped by the
pioneering treatment has expanded, spanning kidney injuries, Professor David Church, Deputy Principal and Acting Vice
immune-mediated disease and toxicities. The article on page five, Principal (Clinical Affairs)
by Rosanne Jepson and Stefano Cortellini (who lead the Renal
Replacement Therapy Service), outlines different ways in which

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