Anyone for cat scans? Veterinary CT is now a routine procedure

CT scanning was formerly only available for animals in a few specialist centres in the UK. It is now becoming a routine imaging modality for a wide range of investigations. While some veterinary hospitals have their own scanners, others are able to take advantage of mobile scanning facilities at their practice. The University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital recently installed a Toshiba Aquilion Prime CT scanner, replacing an outdated four-slice helical scanner which had been in place since 2007. Some of the improvements associated with this 80-MDCT scanner are detailed below.

Many examinations are very similar to those seen in human hospitals, with thorax, abdomen and pelvis being used to screen quickly and efficiently for metastatic spread of cancer. Other specialities such as orthopaedics are now gradually increasing their use of CT. One difference withveterinary CT is that patients typically present with later stage disease, making diagnosis easier but treatment more difficult.

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