On the Front Lines: Recognizing and Managing Oncology Emergencies in General Practice (Part 2)

Christine Mullin, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology)

Dr. Christine Mullin is a medical oncologist at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Malvern, PA and Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center in Allentown, PA. Dr. Mullin has been board certified in medical oncology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine since 2015.

She received a BS in Biology (magna cum laude) from The College of New Jersey in 2007, where she was also captain of the women’s soccer team, playing in 3 NCAA Division III National Championships. Dr. Mullin then graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. She next completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey followed by a 3-year residency in medical oncology at The Oncology Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area.

During her residency, Dr. Mullin conducted bench top research in osteosarcoma within the Pediatric Oncology Branch at the NIH National Cancer Institute, for which she received the Most Outstanding Resident Basic Science Research award at the annual Veterinary Cancer Society meeting in 2014. Dr. Mullin has authored and co-authored several journal articles and book chapters, provides webinars on topics in veterinary oncology for VIN.com, and presents continuing education programs for veterinarians and support staff both regionally and nationally. Dr. Mullin also has a strong interest in clinical research and has served as co-investigator for several clinical trials. She has served on the Northeast Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group committee as well as the ACVIM General Examination rating committee.

Dr. Mullin is a native of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She and her husband share their home in NJ with 3 dogs and 2 cats.

Overview:

Some oncology emergencies escalate in minutes, not hours. This second session in the primary care oncology emergencies series focuses on two life-threatening scenarios frequently encountered in general practice: mast cell tumor (MCT) degranulation and hemorrhagic shock associated with suspected or confirmed hemangiosarcoma (HSA). Through a practical, case-driven approach, attendees will learn how to quickly recognize clinical red flags, initiate stabilization, and complete essential diagnostics without delaying care. The session will also address prognosis and compassionate client communication, equipping clinicians to guide owners through complex, time-sensitive decisions with clarity and confidence.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

Recognize the clinical signs of mast cell tumor (MCT) degranulation and explain the underlying pathophysiology.
Stabilize patients experiencing MCT degranulation and determine when hospitalization is indicated versus outpatient management.
Select appropriate supportive and adjunctive medications for patients with MCT-related complications.
Identify the clinical presentation of hemorrhagic shock in patients with suspected or known hemangiosarcoma (HSA).
Perform an urgent diagnostic evaluation while simultaneously stabilizing patients with suspected or confirmed HSA.
Discuss prognosis and effectively guide pet owners through informed, time-sensitive decision-making for patients with HSA.

This course is RACE-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.