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Radiology

In 1967, the section of Radiology was created as a separate entity from the Departments of Large Animal Surgery and Medicine and Small Animal Surgery and Medicine. This established an identifiable administrative unit under the leadership of Dr. J. E. Bartels with maintenance and operation funding allowing growth of this emerging specialty.  From 1967 to 1977, the professional academic program, a graduate program and clinical series including radiation therapy were developed. A 3-year resident training program leading to American College of Veterinary Radiology  (ACVR) board certification was established and has been continuously approved by the ACVR since 1972. Based on the quality of the professional academic program, the graduate courses offered, and clinical service, department status was granted in 1978.

In addition to diagnostic radiology for small and large animals, the section also offers examinations with ultrasonography, nuclear medicine, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging as well as radiation therapy treatments. The diagnostic radiology examinations for the majority of the small animal and large animal examinations are acquired utilizing state-of-the-art digital plates. This digital radiology system (link to) allows individual views to be acquired and viewed in as little as 4 seconds greatly reducing patient exam time.  In addition a helical computed tomography scanner has been installed that will also reduce patient exam time for this procedure.

All of the images from the digitally acquired diagnostic radiology along with the images from all ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are stored on computer and are able to viewed throughout the large and small animal hospitals.

The Holland Ware Diagnostic Imaging Center was built in 1990 to house computed tomography (link to) and magnetic resonance imaging scanners (link to) becoming the first veterinary institution to have both of these imaging modalities on site. The Linear Accelerator Laboratory was built in 1997 to support the Oncology service with linear accelerator radiation therapy equipment (link to).  In 2000, the Department of Radiology merged with the Departments of Large Animal Surgery and Medicine and Small Animal Surgery and Medicine to form the Department of Clinical Sciences and is now 1 of 5 sections in this newly created department.

The John T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital opened in 2003 and a new diagnostic x ray unit was acquired.  In addition to the diagnostic x-ray suite, adjacent nuclear medicine and ultrasound suites were built as part of the imaging area of this new hospital.

The section of Radiology now consists of 5 Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR), 3 residents pursuing board certification and 6 technologists.

Future Plans

In order to continue to offer the highest quality of diagnostic services to our patients, we are currently seeking funding to:

  1. Acquire magnetic resonance imaging capabilities for large animals.
  2. Upgrade nuclear medicine equipment capable of performing state of the art scans for both equine and small animal patients.
  3. Upgrade ultrasound machines for large and small animals due to rapid changes in technology.
  4. Upgrade our linear accelerator to take advantage of advances in precise dose deliverance.