Find out more about how Vet Oncologist online service can help your veterinary practice
Last week we shared information about the Vet Oncologist – Online Consultation Service, and I thought it was such a great service that I wanted to find out more from the founder, Dr Shasta Lynch.
Can you give us a bit of background information about yourself?
I studied in Queensland and then moved to Victoria to work in general and mixed practice after graduation. I ended up completing an internship in Melbourne before deciding to move to the UK to take up a residency position in small animal oncology. I loved my time in the UK and stayed for so long that I am now officially British as well as Australian. Before returning to Australia I sat the speciality exams to become an ECVIM specialist in veterinary oncology and worked in private referral practice as an oncologist.
Ultimately the sunny shores of Australia beckoned and I returned with my family to our Richmond home in 2016 conveniently avoiding many years of Tigers losses and returning in time for the big win.
What made you decide to start Vet Oncologist?
I started Vet Oncologist to provide support for vets treating dogs and cats with cancer in general practice. There is not always great access to specialist veterinary oncologists in all parts of Europe, Asia and Australia and having access to specialist knowledge no matter where you are can be extremely helpful.
What is the aim or goal of Vet Oncologist?
The goal is for pets with cancer to receive the best care possible when they aren’t referred to a specialist oncologist. I hope that our service relieves some of the pressure on general practice vets by providing up to date treatment options and support for oncology patients.
When I was working in general practice I found remote specialist support extremely helpful and I felt that my patients received better care as a result. I hope to provide the same support and confidence to other vets.
How would you suggest vet practices make their clients aware of/explain the service you offer?
When a patient is diagnosed with cancer it is an opportunity for vets to offer referral to a veterinary oncologist or the opinion of an oncologist if the pet owner prefers to continue treatment locally.
I know from experience that a brief phone call to a specialist centre does not give you as accurate advice as a written consultation with a review of pathology reports and patient history. My service offers thorough patient management advice without seeing an oncologist in person which should flow on to better patient care.
How does your service help veterinary practices support their clients when a diagnosis of cancer has been made?
I always offer several options for pet owners to consider following a diagnosis of cancer. Every pet is different and everyone’s circumstances and values differ. I hope that the detailed explanations that I provide and the multiple options for treatment helps vets and clients with decision making during what can be such a difficult time.
If you have any questions about how the Vet Oncologist Online Consultation Service can help, just ask Shasta in the Comments section below.
About Shasta
Dr Lynch is an Australian, RCVS and European Veterinary Specialist in Oncology. She graduated from the University of Queensland, Australia in 2004 and then worked in mixed and small animal general practice in Australia. Following this, she completed a residency in small animal oncology and worked in private referral practice in the United Kingdom. She currently consults for Vet Oncologist, providing oncology telemedicine consultations globally and at Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre, Australia.
Hi Maria, thanks for visiting the Vetanswers Blog. Good luck with your future studies and I’d suggest you contact all of the employment services as they may be able to help you find a placememnt. Regards, Judy
Hi, I am Maria Fernanda Moreno, Colombain Veterinarian living Melbourne inAustralia since 2017, I had my Clinic during 7 years in Bogota where I worked as surgeon, Next year in September I will start my Master in Veterinary Oncology, so I am looking for a place in Melbourne where I could prepare myself like a little intership.
I hope that could be possible with the Dr Shasta Lynch, as I heard she is the best on the field and I want to have a good preparation before the Master begins.
Kind Regards
Maria F