Kelly L. Bowlt Blacklock

Access to specialist veterinary oncology services may be influenced by geographic, demographic, and patient-related factors. Understanding travel burden is important for identifying potential barriers to care and designing more equitable service delivery models. This study quantified the distance travelled by owners seeking specialist oncology care at a UK veterinary teaching hospital and examined whether species, age, breed, and insurance status were associated with travel patterns. A retrospective review was conducted of all dogs and cats presenting to the Oncology Service at the Hospital for Small Animals, University of Edinburgh, between 1 December 2018 and 31 October 2025. Owner postcodes were used to calculate distances from residence to the hospital. Distances were compared across species (dog vs. cat), breed (pure-breed vs. mixed-breed), age (p < 0.001), pure-breed animals travelled significantly further than mixed-breed animals (p < 0.001), and younger animals travelled significantly further than older animals (p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, species, age, and insurance status were significant, with dogs (p < 0.001), younger animals (p = 0.012), and uninsured animals (p = 0.008) travelling further. These findings highlight potential geographic inequities in access to specialist care and underscore the need for alternative service-delivery strategies to improve accessibility, particularly for cats and younger animals.

Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare and aggressive cancer in humans with poor prognosis and limited response to immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Progress has been hindered by the lack of immune-competent, translational models. Dogs develop oral mucosal melanoma (OMM), a biologically equivalent disease, making them a valuable companion animal model that shares the human environment and immune context. In this study, we present the first transcriptomic analysis of regional lymph nodes in dogs with OMM, revealing that lymph nodes stratify into two distinct subgroups, independent of histopathological metastatic status at time of surgery, and which can be succinctly captured with a 35-gene signature. Notably, this stratification correlates with survival outcomes, providing unique early prognostic insights at the time of diagnosis. Furthermore, we explore the immune landscape of these subgroups and identify IBA1+ monocyte/macrophage infiltration as a key distinguishing biomarker. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and digital pathology, we demonstrate that higher IBA1 expression is associated with the transcriptomic subgroups associated with improved survival. These findings highlight IBA1 as a potential biomarker for risk stratification, offering a clinically relevant tool for refining prognosis and guiding treatment decisions in canine OMM. Highlights: Transcriptomic profiling of canine OMM lymph nodes identifies two prognostic subgroups , independent of histopathological metastatic status. Lymph node transcriptomic stratification correlates with survival , providing prognostic insights beyond conventional histopathology at the time of diagnosis. IBA1+ monocyte/macrophage infiltration is associated with improved survival, and shows strong diagnostic potential via immunohistochemistry, supporting its use as a clinically feasible stratification tool.

To determine the factors associated with an author being female in Veterinary Surgery journal publications from 2002 to 2023. Retrospective observational study. A total of 2881 Veterinary Surgery papers published between 2002 and 2023. Author gender was inferred using the Gender API and verified manually where necessary; only binary categories (male/female) were assigned. Statistical models (frequentist and Bayesian logistic regressions) were used to predict author gender based on publication year, author order (first, second, last), and surgical emphasis. Overall, 36% of the authors were female, with 43% of first authors, 37% of second authors, and 28% of last authors being women. The proportion of female first authors increased from 29% in 2010 to 60% in 2022, while female last authors ranged from 10% in 2002 to 36% in 2023. The likelihood of an author being female was influenced by the publication year, being the last author, and the subject of orthopaedics. Compared with the demographics of the profession, women remain underrepresented in Veterinary Surgery authorships, particularly in senior author positions and orthopaedic papers. The underrepresentation of female authors highlights persistent gender disparities in veterinary surgery research. Further research is required to understand the factors that influence female authorship, so that institutions and journals can implement targeted initiatives to promote gender equity.

Feline diffuse iris melanoma (FDIM) is the most common primary ocular tumour in cats, with metastatic disease occurring in 19–63% of patients. Greater intraocular invasion correlates with increased mortality. No effective therapeutics exist for metastatic FDIM, partly due to a lack of known molecular targets associated with aggressive tumour behaviour. Here, we define the transcriptomic landscape of FDIM in treatment-naïve cats using bulk RNA sequencing on laser capture microdissection and core biopsy specimens from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Samples included ‘iris melanosis’ (dysplastic melanocytes confined to the anterior iris; n = 7), ‘early FDIM’ (neoplastic melanocytes confined to the iris stroma; n = 13), and ‘late FDIM’ (neoplastic infiltration into the ciliary body and sclera; n = 13). Iris melanosis exhibited genetic overlap with early FDIM, supporting its reclassification as ‘melanoma in situ’. Early FDIM showed upregulation of genes linked to tumour initiation, immune recruitment, and motility (e.g., STOX1, PEG3, XIAP, MCAM, VIM). Late FDIM exhibited immune microenvironment remodelling, immune evasion, and apoptosis inhibition (e.g., BIRC2, BIRC5, CCL2, HAVCR2), with downregulation of FOX1, FOXC2, and SOX11. These results provide critical biomarkers of disease severity, which may aid in the development of more accurate prognostic tests and more effective targeted therapies for FDIM.

Feline diffuse iris melanoma (FDIM) is the most common primary ocular tumour in cats, with high metastatic potential. Greater intraocular invasion correlates with increased mortality. No effective therapeutics exist for metastatic disease, partly due to a lack of known molecular targets associated with aggressive tumour behaviour. Here, we define the transcriptomic landscape of FDIM in treatment-naïve cats using bulk RNA sequencing on laser capture microdissection and core biopsy specimens from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Samples included ‘iris melanosis’ (dysplastic melanocytes confined to the anterior iris; n = 7), ‘early FDIM’ (neoplastic melanocytes confined to the iris stroma; n = 13), and ‘late FDIM’ (neoplastic infiltration into the ciliary body and sclera; n = 13). Iris melanosis exhibited genetic overlap with early FDIM, supporting its reclassification as ‘melanoma in situ.’ Early FDIM showed upregulation of genes linked to tumour initiation, immune recruitment, and motility (e.g., STOX1, PEG3, XIAP, MCAM, VIM). Late FDIM exhibited immune microenvironment remodelling, immune evasion, and apoptosis inhibition (e.g., BIRC2, BIRC5, CCL2, HAVCR2), with downregulation of FOX1, FOXC2, and SOX11. These results provide critical biomarkers of disease progression, which may aid in the development of more accurate prognostic tests and more effective targeted therapies for FDIM.

Objectives: To evaluate veterinary surgeons' awareness of the potential for surgical gloves and instruments to act as vectors for tumour seeding in small animal oncological surgery and to assess the use of specific protocols to mitigate this risk.Materials and Methods: A 21‐question survey was developed and distributed to small animal veterinary surgeons, focusing on practices related to glove and instrument handling during oncological surgeries. The survey targeted veterinary surgeons who regularly performed oncological procedures, and was analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi‐square analysis.Results: A total of 194 veterinary surgeons participated. Most respondents (89%) reported changing gloves and instruments during oncological surgeries to avoid tumour seeding. Surgeons with advanced qualifications and those working in referral hospitals were more likely to implement these practices. Additionally, surgeons with a higher oncological caseload were more likely to follow protocols for wound protection. The majority (74%) of respondents believed that there was a risk of neoplastic cells on gloves or instruments, and 98% expressed a strong interest in evidence‐based guidelines.Clinical Significance: This study highlights a significant awareness among veterinary surgeons regarding the risk of tumour seeding through surgical gloves and instruments. There is a clear willingness among practitioners to adopt new guidelines and improve practices based on emerging evidence, indicating a potential shift towards more stringent protocols in small animal oncological surgeries.

In human medicine, the choice of medical terminology influences patients' choice of management options and associated anxiety levels in relation to their diagnoses. The objective of this study was to determine the association between canine caregiver's treatment choices and anxiety levels when papillary thyroid cancer is described with or without the term cancer. This randomised cross‐sectional study surveyed 683 people over 18 years old over 8.5 months. Respondents ranked their treatment preference (total thyroidectomy, active surveillance, medical therapy, or radiation therapy) following a scenario‐based diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), thyroid papillary lesion (TPL) or abnormal cells (AC) in their canine pet. Respondents stated their level of anxiety associated with the diagnosis and treatment choice. Of 683 respondents, 622 (91.7%) were female. When presented with a diagnosis of PTC, TPL or AC, 78.1%, 34.2% and 59.3% of participants, respectively, reported being anxious or very anxious about this diagnosis (p < 0.01). Surgery was chosen as a first‐choice treatment for PTC, TPL and AC by 71.8%, 39.8% and 53.8% of respondents, respectively, whereas active surveillance was chosen as a first‐choice treatment by 24.5%, 57.5% and 43.9% of respondents, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in first‐choice treatment selection (p < 0.01) and anxiety levels related to treatment (p < 0.01) between the three different terms. The terminology used when presenting caregivers with a diagnosis of PTC influences treatment choices and levels of anxiety.

Mucosal melanoma is a rare melanoma subtype associated with a poor prognosis and limited existing therapeutic interventions, in part due to a lack of actionable targets and translational animal models for preclinical trials. Comprehensive data on this tumour type are scarce, and existing data often overlooks the importance of the anatomical site of origin. We evaluated human and canine oronasal mucosal melanoma (OMM) to determine whether the common canine disease could inform the rare human equivalent. Using a human and canine primary OMM cohort of treatment‐naive archival tissue, alongside clinicopathological data, we obtained transcriptomic, immunohistochemical, and microbiome data from both species. We defined the transcriptomic landscape in both species and linked our findings to immunohistochemical, microbiome, and clinical data. Human and dog OMM stratified into two distinctive transcriptional groups, which we defined using a species‐independent 41‐gene signature. These two subgroups are termed CTLA4‐high and MET‐high and indicate actionable targets for OMM patients. To guide clinical decision‐making, we developed immunohistochemical diagnostic tools that distinguish between transcriptomic subgroups. We found that OMM had conserved transcriptomic subtypes and biological similarity between human and canine OMM, with significant implications for patient classification, treatment, and clinical trial design. © 2025 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Mucosal melanoma is a rare melanoma subtype associated with a poor prognosis and limited existing therapeutic interventions, in part due to a lack of actionable targets and translational animal models for pre-clinical trials. Comprehensive data on this tumour type is scarce, and existing data often overlooks the importance of the anatomical site of origin. We evaluated human and canine oronasal mucosal melanoma to determine whether the common canine disease could inform the rare human equivalent. Using a human and canine primary oronasal mucosal melanoma (OMM) cohort of treatment naive archival tissue, alongside clinicopathological data, we obtained transcriptomic immunohistochemical, and microbiome data from both species. We defined the transcriptomic landscape in both species, and linked our findings to immunohistochemical, microbiome and clinical data. Human and dog OMM stratified into two distinctive transcriptional groups which we defined using a species-independent 41-gene signature. These two subgroups are termed CTLA4-high and cMET-high, and indicate actionable targets for OMM patients. To guide clinical decision-making, we developed immunohistochemical diagnostic tools which distinguish between transcriptomic subgroups. For the first time, we find that OMM has conserved transcriptomic subtypes and biological similarity between the canine and human OMM, with significant implications for patient classification, treatment, and clinical trial design.