Making Advanced Melanoma Treatment More Accessible for Dogs in Essex - Vet Jet® & ONCEPT® Canine Melanoma Treatment | OncoTails

I'm really excited to share that OncoTails Veterinary Oncology Services can now offer the Vet Jet® needle free injector for the administration of the ONCEPT® Canine Melanoma Vaccine.

For veterinary practices across Essex, this means access to an advanced immunotherapy treatment closer to home, allowing dogs with melanoma to receive specialist care without the need to travel as far. My aim has always been to make specialist oncology support as accessible as possible while working closely with local veterinary teams and this is another important step towards that.

What is the Vet Jet®?

The Vet Jet® is the exclusive delivery device used to administer the ONCEPT® Canine Melanoma Vaccine. Instead of using a traditional hypodermic needle, it uses a high pressure spring mechanism to

deliver a precise 0.4 mL dose through the skin directly into the muscle.

The result is accurate, consistent vaccine delivery without the need for a needle, while also eliminating sharps waste. It's an innovative piece of technology that has been specifically designed for the administration of ONCEPT®.

What is ONCEPT®?

ONCEPT® is a DNA based immunotherapy used as part of the treatment plan for dogs with melanoma.

Unlike chemotherapy, which works by directly targeting rapidly dividing cells, immunotherapy encourages the dog's own immune system to recognise and respond to melanoma cells. For appropriately selected patients, ONCEPT® can be used alongside treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy as part of a multimodal approach to cancer care.

Every patient is different, which is why it's important to assess each case individually to determine whether ONCEPT® is likely to be beneficial.

Why This Matters for Veterinary Practices

One of the reasons I founded OncoTails was to make specialist oncology expertise and advanced cancer treatments more accessible to local veterinary practices.

Until now, practices wishing to offer ONCEPT® immunotherapy have often needed to refer patients further afield simply to access the Vet Jet® delivery system. By offering this service in Essex, I hope to make the process much easier for both referring vets and pet owners.

My approach has always been collaborative. I work alongside first opinion practices, providing specialist advice while ensuring patients can receive as much of their care as possible closer to home.

Supporting Better Care for Dogs with Melanoma

Cancer treatment continues to evolve and it's exciting to be able to offer new technologies that expand the options available for our patients.

Bringing the Vet Jet® to OncoTails is another step towards providing comprehensive, evidence based oncology care for dogs in Essex, while supporting the veterinary practices that care for them every day.

If you have a patient with melanoma and would like to discuss whether ONCEPT® immunotherapy could be appropriate, I'd be very happy to help.

Whether you'd like to discuss a case, arrange a referral or simply find out more about the Vet Jet® and ONCEPT®, please don't hesitate to get in touch.