About our small animal medicine & oncology service
The Small Animal Internal Medicine, Oncology and Cardiology service offers a specialty services in all aspects of Internal Medicine, Oncology and Cardiology.
Small Animal Internal Medicine Service
Our Internal Medicine referral service offers solutions to a wide variety of complex medical problems in both dogs and cats, including:
- Endocrine disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Renal/urinary disease
- Heart disease
- Respiratory disease
- Liver disease
- Neuromuscular disease
- Immune-mediated disease
- Blood disorders
- Skin disease
We utilise the latest techniques and equipment during the diagnostic investigation process. Our specialised medical equipment includes:
- Video endoscopy with a range of different sized rigid and flexible video endoscopes
- Specialist diagnostic imaging on site including ultrasonography, digital radiography, computed tomography (CT) and high field MRI (1.5T)
- Electrocardiography (including Holter monitoring)
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Full laboratory support. Many of our cases require a wide range of laboratory tests. Most of these tests are performed at our newly equipped, on-site laboratory so that vital information is available as soon as possible.
- Fully equipped intensive care unit (ICU) providing 24h critical care support
- Fully equipped oncology suite for the administration of chemotherapy
Oncology Service
Our Oncology referral service offers treatments and solutions to a wide variety of complex cases in both dogs and cats.
Cancer is a prevalent disease in all domestic species. Approximately one in four dogs and one in five cats develop cancer in their lifetime. Fortunately, most cancers can be managed effectively and in a way that prioritizes animal welfare, helping to extend pets' quality of life.
Veterinary oncology is a multidisciplinary field that tailors treatment approaches to each individual animal. We are pleased to offer comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options for all types of cancer in domestic species.
The most common cancers we treat include:
- Lymphoma and haematologic malignancies
- Mast cell tumours
- Mammary carcinoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Histiocytic sarcoma
- Soft tissue sarcoma
Services currently offered:
- Medical oncology (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy)
- Surgical oncology
- Radiation therapy (offsite)
- Electrochemotherapy
- Carbon dioxide laser therapy
Cardiology Service (opened in June 2026)
Our Cardiology service strives to manage cases with state-of-the-art veterinary care while focusing on the quality of life for the patient. Each pet and family is treated full attention from our experienced veterinarians and nurses who completed extra years of training to understand and treat heart diseases in pets.
Our service is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for advanced echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG), continuous electrocardiography (Holter monitor/ telemetry), radiography, fluoroscopy and angiography, cardiac computed tomography and angiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Our team is also equipped to sample certain cardiac mass using a minimally invasive technique and implant permanent cardiac monitors (implantable cardiac monitors, ICM).
Based on the results of diagnostic tests, our team will recommend a therapeutic plan that is tailored for each pet and their family. The therapeutic recommendation may include medications, lifestyle changes, or sometimes procedures to correct the disease. The procedures that we provide include, but are not limited to, closure of patent ductus arteriosus, balloon valvuloplasty of pulmonary stenosis, cardiovascular stenting, pacemaker implantation, and electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.
A referral from either a general veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian is necessary to make an appointment with TAHMU Cardiology service. Common reasons for cardiology referral include familial history of heart disease, heart murmur, irregular heartbeats, weak, bounding, or irregular pulses, breathing difficulty, unexplained lethargy, exercise intolerance, and wobbly or collapsing episodes (syncope).
TAHMU Cardiology service works closely with other specialist teams to provide the best care for your pet. This means that the TAHMU cardiology team may recommend a consult with another service (e.g., internal medicine or surgery) if the pet appears to have a non-heart related illness that may interfere with the pet’s cardiac tests or treatment, or if such illness is compromising the pet’s quality of life.
Many of the TAHMU Cardiology team members are active researchers in the field and are devoted to find better diagnostic tests and treatment options for pets with heart disease. Therefore, our team may discuss an emerging treatment option or clinical trial, especially when the disease is incurable with traditional medicine or has limited treatment options. The family will be provided with all information so they can make an informed decision about the clinical trial following the discussion with the clinical researcher.
We offer a multidisciplinary approach, working with our colleagues in Dermatology, Small Animal Surgery, Critical Care, Clinical Pathology, Diagnostic Imaging and Anaesthesia. All cases are discussed with members of other teams as appropriate, and co-management of cases or internal referral arranged as necessary to ensure a holistic and patient-centred approach.
A referral from your regular veterinarian is necessary to make an appointment with this service. We are also happy to discuss cases prior to referral or offer advice to our colleagues in practice. We guarantee to work closely with your regular veterinarian in optimising the post-treatment management so that the best and most convenient care is offered to your pet.
Our team
Professor of Small Animal Medicine
Professor Shiel graduated from University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland. After completing a residency in small animal medicine at UCD, he obtained the Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine - Companion Animals (Internal Medicine) in 2007 followed by a PhD in canine thyroid function in 2011. Robert has held clinical academic positions at both Murdoch University and UCD, where he trained numerous specialists and research students in small animal medicine.
Robert returned to Murdoch University in 2022 as the Head of the Small Animal Medicine Service. Although interested in all branches of internal medicine, Robert’s main clinical and research focus is in the field of endocrinology. He has published widely in small animal internal medicine, is co-editor of the current edition of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association Manual of Small Animal Endocrinology and is current President of the European Society of Veterinary Endocrinology.
Associate Professor of Veterinary Dermatology
Mandy is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) in Veterinary Dermatology; a registered specialist in veterinary dermatology, an Associate Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, a member of Academic Council and Associate Professor in Small Animal Medicine (Dermatology) at Murdoch University, Western Australia. She has over 30 years of experience working in University and clinical practice and teaching and has trained veterinary dermatologists in veterinary specialty practice in Western Australia.
Mandy has been designing and delivering the dermatology curriculum and teaching undergraduate veterinary students at Murdoch University for the past twenty years. She joined the University academic staff in 2017 and has received Vice Chancellor’s Awards for Teaching and Excellence in Learning for three consecutive years in recognition for being in the top 10% of teaching staff. She is the current Australian and New Zealand representative of the World Association for Veterinary Dermatology and the recipient of the 2022 American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology Frank Kral Award for service to veterinary dermatology. She has authored and co-authored many publications in national and international journals and textbooks and delivers lectures in veterinary dermatology at both national and international conferences. Her opinion is regularly sought in providing specialist expertise and advice to industry.
Mandy has extensive experience with clinical dermatology in companion animals. A deep personal commitment to working for the good of students, veterinary practitioners, animals and society informs all her work. She values being able to make a difference and finds reward in the challenge of finding creative and practical solutions to difficult problems.
Lecturer Veterinary Oncology
Dr. Albert Thomas has a passion for advancing cancer care in animals. After earning his veterinary degree from the University of Queensland, Albert undertook an oncology internship which encompassed surgical, medical and radiation oncology at ARH Brisbane. Following this he worked in general practice in Perth whilst also working part time at TAHMU in anaesthesia. He commenced a 3-year residency in veterinary oncology at Perth Veterinary Specialists in 2021 and passed his specialist examinations in 2025. He enjoys all aspects of cancer care, though takes particular interest in leukemias, pelvic cancers, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. His previous research has been primarily focused on paraneoplastic syndromes, evidence-based medicine, clinical trials with immunotherapeutics for solid tumours and polycythemia vera.
BVSc, MVetMed, PhD, DipACVIM (Cardiology)
Joon graduated with Bachelor of Veterinary Science from Massey University in 2013 and completed a joint Master of Veterinary Medicine and Cardiology Residency at the Royal Veterinary College in 2020. Following the completion of the clinical cardiology training, he returned to New Zealand and worked as a full-time cardiologist while completing a PhD on feline cardiomyopathy. Joon completed his PhD at Massey University in 2026 and subsequently moved to Australia to join Murdoch University.
Joon is devoted to managing cases with state-of-the-art veterinary care while focusing on the quality of life for the patient. By working closely with the family, Joon aims to provide therapeutic plans that are tailored for each pet.
Joon is an active researcher with strong interests in feline cardiomyopathies, cardiac arrhythmias, advanced cardiac imaging, critical care cardiology, and translational medicine.
Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine.
Oliver graduated with distinction from the University of Liverpool in 2017 before working in small animal practice for several years. After completing a rotating internship in 2020, Oliver completed an internal medicine speciality internship at the University College Dublin, Ireland, School of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. Following a return to the UK, he completed an ACVIM residency and combined master's degree in small animal internal medicine at the Royal Veterinary College, London, summer 2024. Oliver's areas of clinical interest include endocrinology and gastroenterology.
Dr Marty graduated from Murdoch University in 2013, and after spending a few years in general practice, he developed a passion for medicine. After attaining Membership in Small Animal Medicine with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2019, he began part-time teaching at Murdoch University to final-year veterinary students in 2021 and completed a Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education in 2022.
In 2023, he began his Small Animal Medicine residency training at The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University (TAHMU) while concurrently completing two Master's degrees. Now, at the end of his residency training, he is excited to be staying on at TAHMU in the Small Animal Medicine department.
Outside of work, Dr Marty and his partner have a very spoiled fur child, Simba, the Golden Retriever, and enjoy travel, movies, time with friends and exercise.
Resident in Small Animal Medicine
Fraser graduated with distinction from Murdoch University in 2023 and began his veterinary career as a small animal rotating trainee at TAHMU in 2024. Here, he discovered and developed his passion for all things internal medicine and pursued further training in this field, continuing at TAHMU in 2025 as a trainee in small animal medicine. Following completion of a Master of Veterinary Clinical Studies, mid-year 2025, Fraser eagerly accepted a residency in small animal internal medicine, with concurrent enrolment in a Master of Philosophy, and now works to deepen his knowledge and skills, especially in his favoured fields of feline medicine and research.
When not working, Fraser enjoys learning about obscure topics, socialising with friends and family, and spending time with his family’s three beloved cats, who remain ungrateful despite his efforts on behalf of their species.
Miranda grew up in New Zealand and attended vet school at Massey University, graduating with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2020. She made the move to Australia in 2022, initially to Brisbane for a small animal medicine internship before joining TAHMU as a postgraduate trainee in small animal medicine in 2023. During this time she was adopted by a sassy British Shorthair kitten who told her to stay on at TAHMU for a small animal medicine residency, so she obliged. This has turned out to be a great decision so far and she is excited to be pursuing a Masters of Philosophy alongside her residency. Outside of work Miranda enjoys hiking, exploring new cafes, board games, and playing guitar.
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