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Electrochemotherapy treatment saves cat with painful tumour
Pictured: Acai the cat.
The treatment was given by Gerry Poulton at NDSR.

Veterinary professionals at North Downs Specialist Referrals are 'delighted' after a cat with tongue cancer is doing well after receiving electrochemotherapy treatment.

Acai the cat is receiving treatment from oncology specialist Gerry Polton, oncology service director at North Downs Specialist Referrals. 

Gerry, who has described Acai's progress as 'extraordinary', commented on Acai's diagnosis:  “Acai is a lovely big cat who was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma on the underside of his tongue. 

“This is a painful and destructive tumour and, normally, life expectancy for these cases is only about 50 days, with appropriate pain relief.”

With little to no treatment options for Acai's condition, the specialist decided that he was a strong candidate to receive electrochemotherapy treatment, and Acai began treatment in April 2020. 

Electrochemotherapy treatment combines a low dose of a chemotherapy drug and an electrical pulse, applied directly by an electrode. When this electrical pulse is applied, the cells form pores, allowing the drug to enter. 

The practice found that Acai was incredibly receptive to the treatment, with the tumour resolving visibly and the mass being no longer apparent after only three treatments.

After the first course of treatment, which involved six treatments, Acai remained in remission until February 2021, when he then received further electrochemotherapy.

Gerry commented on this process: “We performed two treatments two weeks apart but Acai lost his appetite after the second treatment, so no more were given.

“We expected that the tumour would begin to progress quite rapidly but remarkably he has responded so well and has got his appetite back. 

“It is now 18 months since the lump was first identified and the fact that he is happy and well at this point is extraordinary. 

“We’re delighted and want to share this success story to raise awareness of the treatment so that other cats can benefit from it”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."