Exploring the future of
veterinary oncology, Neal Mauldin, DVM, ACVIM, ACVR, Thrive Pet Healthcare’s national director of radiation oncology and chief medical officer for Petcure Oncology, and Julie Bulman-Fleming, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), Thrive Pet Healthcare’s national specialty director of oncology and medical director and residency program director for Veterinary Cancer Group, share their insights on the evolving landscape of cancer care for pets. These distinguished experts bring a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to advancing treatment options and improving the quality of life for veterinary patients facing cancer.
Mauldin: I grew up in a family that raised show dogs for a living so it seemed only natural that I would become a veterinarian. When I entered vet school, I had the intention of being a general practitioner and returning to practice in my local community. However, while in veterinary school, I met a medical oncologist, Claudia Barton DVM, ACVIM (Internal Medicine, Oncology), who became my inspiration to pursue specialty training and become an oncologist. I did my internship and residency training at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, followed by a clinical fellowship in radiation oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, also in New York. I spent some time as a tenured professor and department head at Louisiana State University before returning to clinical practice in Western Canada.
Bulman-Fleming: I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian from about 3 or 4 years old. When I entered veterinary school, I learned about all the specialties available. During that process, my father was diagnosed with cancer, and I realized what a difference an oncologist can make during such a challenging and scary time. I completed my residency at Veterinary Cancer Group and now head the residency training program there.
This article originally appeared on dvm360.com on July 16, 2024, as part of Thrive Pet Healthcare's Strategic Alliance with dvm360.
Neal Mauldin, DVM, ACVIM, ACVR, is a pioneer in the field of veterinary radiation therapy, having practiced as a veterinary radiation oncologist for more than 35 years, and has supervised the treatment of more than 8,000 pets with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) since 2010. He provides clinical oversight, remote treatment planning and review, and oversees research for facilities across the PetCure Oncology network and serves as the National Director of Radiation Oncology for Thrive Pet Healthcare.
Mauldin is a triple-board certified veterinarian in the fields of internal medicine, medical oncology and radiation oncology, attaining board certification in veterinary radiation oncology the first year it was offered in 1994. He has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications, written numerous textbook chapters, and presented invited scientific abstracts at over 40 national and international meetings pertaining to the specialty of veterinary oncology. He is past president of the Veterinary Cancer Society.
Mauldin has 4 rescued Shetland Sheepdogs, 2 Maremma Sheepdogs and 15 horses, with more on the way.
Julie Bulman-Fleming, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology) was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and attended the University of British Columbia for her bachelor's degree in animal biology. Next it was on to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where she attended the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and developed her interest in oncology. After graduating in 2007 with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with great distinction, she moved east across Canada and did a rotating internship in small animal medicine, surgery and critical/emergency care. Bulman-Fleming joined Veterinary Cancer Group as a medical oncology resident and completed her ACVIM residency in medical oncology in 2011. Her areas of interest include client education, palliative care and the role of the immune system in cancer development and treatment. Julie's personal interests include circus arts, rock climbing, camping, and cats.
