About Us
Oncovet was launched in 2026 and covers the Greater Exeter, Mid-Devon and Taunton areas.
We have been caring for oncology patients in first opinion practice for many years, and now our goal is to offer this service to a wider audience and fill the gap between first opinion and referral hospital care for dogs and cats diagnosed with cancer. We know that there are owners who want to be able to maximise their pet's quality and quantity of life, but for reasons of travel distance, costs or practicalities may not be able to use a referral centre. We can offer a range of options, catering to as many patients and budgets as possible, all from a local hubs in Topsham, Devon and Wellington, Somerset.
We offer oncology advice, individually tailored plans and medical cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibody therapies (subject to availability). Assistance with oncology diagnostics is also available on request.
Our number one goal is always quality of life, and we are experienced in adapting all treatment plans with this in mind.
Meet the Team
Veterinary Surgeon
Carmela Burgess BSc(Hons) BVetMed(Hons) CertAVP(SAM) PGCertVPS GPCert(Onco) MRCVS
Carmela is the veterinary surgeon and founder of Oncovet. She qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2010, and while initially working in farm and poultry practice, she soon moved to small animals, where she developed an interest in medicine. She achieved the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Medicine in 2017, and soon found a particular passion for oncology cases. This was strengthened further when her own dog developed haemangiosarcoma and had surgery and then chemotherapy. Over the next few years, Carmela undertook numerous oncology CPD courses, before completing the new Improve oncology certificate in 2026. She lives in Devon with her husband, lurcher and some chickens.
"Although we often cannot cure cancer in our animal patients, I find it really rewarding to work closely with these pets and their owners to give them all more time together. People often worry that cancer treatments will make pets unwell, and it is always lovely to see that most of them fly through it feeling more or less normal, and often have their lives extended by months or even years. Having been on the owner side of the experience, I know how tough it is for everyone; quality of life for both the pet and the owner is always my main priority"
Veterinary Nurse
Shelly Reeves RVN
Shelly qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2006 and has worked in practice ever since. She has particular interests in oncology and chemotherapy. Outside of work she shares her home with her dog, Molly, her rabbit, Beany, her cat Henry and a collection of tropical fish.
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"My interest in veterinary oncology is also very personal. I have experienced first hand the challenges of having a much loved cat with lymphoma. Chemotherapy gave us precious additional time together, and, importantly, allowed us as a family to come to terms with her diagnosis. This experience has given me an even greater appreciation of the emotional side of caring for a pet with cancer and the importance of supporting the whole family, as well as the patient.
Animals have always been a huge part of my life, and I feel very privileged to be able to support owners and their pets through their oncology journey"