Who Needs a C-Arm? A Breakdown of Veterinary Practices That Benefit Most
How C-Arms Improve Outcomes in Modern Veterinary Care
As more veterinary hospitals expand their surgical and interventional capabilities, the question isn’t just “What does a C-arm do?”, it’s “Do we actually need one?”
C-arms provide real-time fluoroscopic imaging that can elevate surgical accuracy, open the door to new procedures, and streamline workflows. But like any major equipment purchase, they’re most valuable for practices that can truly utilize them.
If you’re trying to determine whether a C-arm fits your caseload and growth plans, this guide breaks down which hospitals benefit most.
1. Orthopedic-Focused General Practices
If your hospital performs a high volume of orthopedic procedures, a C-arm can quickly become indispensable.
Orthopedic benefit:
Real-time visualization during fracture repairs
Precision alignment for TPLOs and other corrective osteotomies
Ability to confirm implant placement instantly
Fewer retakes, fewer anesthesia adjustments, and fewer post-op surprises
In orthopedics, a few millimeters can make the difference between a smooth recovery and a complication. Fluoroscopy reduces guesswork and increases surgical confidence.
Common Cases Include:
TPLO and TTA procedures
Long bone fracture repair
Luxating patella corrections requiring implant placement
Angular limb deformity corrections
Joint evaluations
For surgical GPs looking to elevate their ortho offerings or reduce their reliance on referral hospitals, a C-arm can be a turning point for clinical capability.
2. Specialty Hospitals
Specialty practices tend to see the broadest range of cases in which fluoroscopy improves outcomes. Their higher caseload also spreads the cost across more procedures, making ROI easier to calculate.
Specialty benefits:
High surgical volume
Advanced ortho, soft tissue, and neurological procedures
Interventional radiology availability
On-site specialists who rely on real-time imaging
Common Cases Include:
Complex fracture repairs
Vascular and cardiac procedures
Tracheal stent placement
Pacemaker implantation
Subtotal colectomy foreign body checks
Urethral and ureteral stenting
For these hospitals, a C-arm isn’t just helpful, it’s often a clinical requirement.
3. Emergency & Critical Care Hospitals
ER/ICU environments regularly encounter cases where fluoroscopy changes the course of treatment within minutes.
ER / ICU benefit:
Ability to identify and remove GI foreign bodies rapidly
Real-time visualization for unstable orthopedic injuries
Support for urgent cardiac or vascular interventions
Faster decision-making when minutes matter
Common Cases Include:
GI foreign body retrieval (particularly linear objects)
Urethral obstruction diagnostics
Fracture stabilization
Pericardiocentesis guidance
Contrast-based urinary or vascular studies
In ER settings, a C-arm reduces delays, minimizes patient movement, and improves efficiency during high-acuity cases.
4. Mobile Surgeons and Traveling Specialists
Mobile surgical teams often work with varying setups and caseloads, so easy positioning and real-time imaging can drastically improve workflow consistency across clinics.
Mobile/Travel benefit:
Standardized imaging, no matter where they operate
More predictable surgical efficiency
Ability to offer specialized procedures to general practices
Mobile surgeons offering TPLOs, fracture repair, or interventional procedures often rely on a C-arm to maintain high standards across diverse environments.
Understanding DSA: When Digital Subtraction Angiography Matters
Some C-arm systems include DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography)—a powerful imaging tool that reveals blood flow with exceptional clarity.
What DSA Does (in simple terms)?
DSA subtracts pre-contrast images from post-contrast images to highlight only the motion of contrast material. In practice, it produces obvious vascular images in which bones and soft tissue are “subtracted out.”
When Veterinary Practices Use It:
Diagnostic vascular studies
Portosystemic shunt (PSS) identification
Cardiac pacemaker lead visualization
Fluoroscopy-guided biopsies where vasculature is a concern
Why DSA Matters:
Reveals tiny vessels that are difficult to see with standard fluoroscopy
Improves safety in contrast-guided procedures
Enhances accuracy for vascular interventions and catheter placement
While DSA isn’t necessary for every hospital, it’s a significant advantage for practices performing advanced imaging or interventional radiology.
How to Estimate Your C-Arm Utilization Before Purchasing
Before investing, assess your current and potential case volume.
Ask yourself:
1. How many orthopedic procedures do we perform monthly?
Even 4–6 orthopedic surgeries per month can justify consistent use.
2. Are we seeing frequent foreign bodies or emergency cases?
If so, fluoroscopy may significantly shorten procedure times.
3. Are we looking to add new services?
TPLOs, TTAs, stent placements, and interventional radiology are all enabled or improved by C-arms.
4. Do we refer cases out that we’d prefer to keep in-house?
Keeping one or two high-value procedures per month can substantially improve ROI.
5. Are there specialists (or mobile surgeons) in our network who could use the equipment?
Shared utilization can strengthen financial justification.
Does Your Practice Need a C-Arm?
If your hospital is performing regular orthopedic or emergency procedures—or plans to expand into these services—there’s a strong chance a C-arm will elevate both clinical capability and practice profitability.
But even more importantly, it enhances veterinarians' ability to diagnose and treat challenging cases, giving teams the confidence and clarity they need to deliver exceptional care.
C-Arms in Veterinary Medicine: Why They’re a Diagnostic Game-Changer
The Rising Value of C-Arm Imaging in Veterinary Care
As veterinary medicine continues to advance, one imaging tool is quietly becoming a staple in modern practices: the C-arm.
Whether you’re a high-volume orthopedic hospital or a general practice beginning to expand your surgical offerings, mobile fluoroscopy can dramatically enhance the way you diagnose, treat, and manage complex cases.
If you’ve ever wished you could “see what you’re doing” in real time—especially in tricky orthopedic or foreign-body cases—a C-arm may be the tool that changes everything.
What Exactly Is a C-Arm?
A C-arm is a mobile fluoroscopy unit shaped like the letter “C,” allowing you to position the X-ray source and detector around your patient.
Unlike standard radiography, which gives you a single static image, a C-arm provides continuous, real-time imaging during procedures. That alone is a significant shift in efficiency and surgical precision!
Why C-Arms Are Becoming So Valuable in Veterinary Medicine
1. Real-Time Imaging Improves Surgical Precision
In orthopedic surgery, millimeters matter. A C-arm allows you to visualize fracture alignment, implant placement, joint spaces, and angles as you work—not after the fact.
Instead of taking a radiograph, repositioning the patient, retaking views, and hoping the alignment is correct, surgeons can adjust in the moment. The result?
More accurate repairs
Shorter anesthesia times
Fewer surprises post-op
For busy practices, this can significantly increase surgical efficiency.
2. Better Outcomes With Fewer Repeat Procedures
When you can see your hardware placement or foreign body extraction in real time, you reduce the risk of missed pathology, implant misalignment, or incomplete removal.
That translates directly to:
Decreased complication rates
Higher client satisfaction
Stronger clinical outcomes
More predictable case progression
For hospitals offering advanced procedures, this is a significant competitive advantage!
3. A Game-Changer for Complex Soft Tissue and Emergency Cases
While C-arms are often associated with orthopedics, their usefulness extends beyond bone.
They’re invaluable for:
GI foreign body retrieval (especially linear or oddly shaped objects)
Urethral obstructions and stent placement
Hepatobiliary procedures
Interventional radiology cases (coiling, embolization, biopsies, contrast studies)
Being able to visualize contrast flow or track movement in real time can significantly improve the efficiency of a case.
4. Faster Workflows and Less Guesswork
Because fluoroscopy allows for continuous guidance, you’ll spend less time repositioning patients, capturing additional radiographs, and navigating blindly.
This means:
Shorter procedure times
Reduced radiation exposure overall
Less staff fatigue
More predictable scheduling
For practices trying to increase surgical caseload while maintaining quality of care, efficiency matters.
How C-Arms Strengthen ROI for Veterinary Hospitals
Investing in a C-arm is often easier to justify when you understand where the return comes from. Practices typically recover their investment through:
1. Increased Surgical Case Volume: Offering fluoroscopy-guided procedures attracts more referrals and allows general practices to expand into higher-value services.
2. Higher Value Procedures Per Case: Fluoroscopy enables procedures that often carry higher revenue, like fracture repairs, interventional procedures, and advanced foreign body removals.
3. Improved Efficiency: Shorter anesthesia times and quicker surgeries mean you can complete more procedures safely within the same day.
4. Reduced Post-Op Complications: Fewer rechecks, fewer corrective surgeries, and fewer client issues all bolster profitability and client trust.
Even modest increases in monthly surgical volume, 1–3 additional fluoroscopy-guided cases, can rapidly close the gap on costs.
Why More Practices Are Considering a C-Arm Right Now
As more veterinary hospitals expand their orthopedic and soft-tissue capabilities, and as pet parents increasingly expect (and seek) advanced care, the demand for real-time imaging is growing.
C-arms offer:
Diagnostic clarity
Enhanced surgical confidence
The ability to perform procedures once reserved for specialty hospitals
And with modern systems becoming more cost-effective and user-friendly, they’re no longer limited to large specialty centers.
A C-arm is truly a tool that changes how surgeries are performed and how confidently your team can navigate complex cases.
Suppose your practice is looking to elevate its surgical offerings, reduce complications, or simply streamline procedures with more precision. In that case, a C-arm may be one of the best diagnostic tools to consider.
Affordable Vet Imaging with the Vetus E5 Ultrasound
If you’re looking to expand your diagnostic services while keeping budgets in check, then you’re in the right place. It’s the perfect time to take a closer look at the Vetus E5 ultrasound. This system bridges the gap between basic ultrasound units and premium machines, offering veterinary-specific features in a value-focused package.
Why Invest in an Ultrasound Now?
In today’s fast-paced veterinary environment, clients expect more, and it’s become a standard for practices to deliver high-quality diagnostics faster. Here are a few motives driving investment:
Broader diagnostic scope: With ultrasound, you can offer services such as soft-tissue evaluation, cardiac screening, reproductive imaging, abdominal scans, and more.
Improved case flow and retention: In-house scanning means fewer referrals, faster turnaround, and better client satisfaction.
Revenue diversification: Ultrasound opens up billable procedures and follow-ups. Even a modest increase in scan volume can pay off.
Upgrading your diagnostic tools is a strategic investment in your practice’s financial growth.
Meet the Vetus E5 — What It Offers
First, the question that’s always top of mind - price.
The Vetus E5 is listed at $17,995, with financing available at around $325/month.
Here are some of its key features that matter most:
Touch-sensitive gain adjustment: fingertip precision helps when you’re scanning fast or in low-light exam rooms.
Advanced imaging tools: HR Flow for detailed blood-flow visualization, iClear speckle noise reduction, one-click image optimization (iTouch), natural-touch elastography, contrast imaging.
Vet-specific workflow features: Smart Calc (automatic lesion tracing/measurement), Smart HRI (quantitative liver steatosis assessment), iWorks animal-specific scanning protocols, and iReport customizable professional report templates.
Portable and adaptable: Lightweight for mobility (if you offer mobile service, or move between treatment rooms), multiple connectivity options, quick probe switching, and ample storage capacity.
All of these features make this a standout option when you’re seeking more than just “basic” without stepping into ultra-premium cost territory.
ROI: How to Make the Numbers Work
Let’s look at a hypothetical ROI scenario for a hospital adding the Vetus E5.
Investment: $17,995
Assumptions:
You perform four extra ultrasound scans per week that you couldn’t before (let’s say conservatively).
Charge $250 per scan (typical value will vary by region and case type).
That’s $1,000 in additional weekly revenue → roughly $52,000 per year.
Even if you account for consumables, training time, and service/support costs, you could recoup the investment within the first year and then benefit from what follows.
Other benefits to consider:
Fewer referrals out, meaning more revenue stays within your hospital.
Enhanced client confidence, resulting in more return visits and more word-of-mouth.
Faster diagnostics = better outcomes = higher throughput.
Marketing value, meaning you can promote “in-house advanced ultrasound” and attract clients who previously went elsewhere.
In other words, for a one-time investment of ~$18k, you can unlock significantly more diagnostic capacity and revenue potential.
How to Decide if It’s Right for Your Hospital
Here are a few questions to think about:
What’s your patient mix and demand? Do you have a volume of cases where soft-tissue imaging, cardiac screening, and abdominal ultrasound are becoming more frequent?
What are your current limitations? Are you referring out because you don’t have an in-house unit? Are you missing revenue because you can’t scan quickly or confidently?
Probe and accessory plan: What probes will you need right away (convex, linear, phased array)? What future add-ons might you want?
Service/support and total cost of ownership: What support is provided? What warranty, what response time? What consumables or service contracts will you need?
Integration into your hospital’s workflow: Can the system connect to your practice management/PACS system? Are image-sharing/reporting features compatible?
If you answer these honestly and the Vetus E5 meets the criteria, you’re making a firm decision.
Practical Tips for Implementing Your New Ultrasound
Plan a “go live” day: Set aside time for staff training and run sample scans before full use. Make sure your team feels comfortable using the new tool before you’re in full swing.
Create scanning protocols: Standardize for common cases (e.g., feline abdominal, canine cardiac, reproductive scans) to make your team more efficient, consistent, and confident.
Advertise your new capability: Use your website, newsletters, and social media to let clients know you now offer comprehensive in-house ultrasound.
Monitor usage: After implementation, track the number of scans per week, average revenue per scan, and the reduction in referrals. Use these metrics to evaluate success.
Schedule maintenance and service reviews: Keep the system at peak performance and avoid downtime that could delay cases or cause referral leakage.
Expand Your Service Capacity
Upgrading diagnostic capabilities doesn’t have to mean spending top dollar. With the Vetus E5, your hospital can invest in a robust, veterinary-specific ultrasound system and dramatically expand your service capacity. You gain advanced imaging tools and workflow efficiency—and a clear path to ROI.
The right imaging tool doesn’t just make your life easier—it elevates your practice. It allows you to say “yes” more often to cases, it keeps clients in-house, and it helps your team deliver better patient care.
Proving ROI: Making the Case for In-House Veterinary Imaging
Investing in new imaging equipment, whether it's a digital X-ray system, dental X-ray, or ultrasound, can feel like a big leap. The price tag is upfront and very real… but so is the return when the equipment is used effectively.
The challenge can be convincing everyone else on your team of their value.
The good news: in-house imaging is one of the easiest investments to justify when you know which metrics to measure.
Let’s break down the key numbers that actually matter and how to present them so your team understands and supports them.
1. Start With Imaging Volume
Most practices use imaging more often than they realize.
But because they’re outsourcing cases or relying on outdated equipment, they underestimate the number of opportunities available to them.
What to measure:
How many X-rays or ultrasounds do you currently perform each month
How many do you refer out
How many cases do you skip altogether because of logistics, client cost, or scheduling limitations
A practical example:
Let’s say a 3-doctor practice:
Takes ~70 in-house X-rays/month
Refers out 20+ imaging cases/month
Has an estimated 10–15 “missed opportunities” where imaging would have helped, but wasn’t pursued
That’s 100+ cases per month that a modern digital X-ray system or ultrasound system could capture.
If your average imaging fee is $150–$250, that’s:
$15,000–$25,000 per month in potential revenue.
Even if you estimate conservatively, you can quickly show that the equipment pays for itself—often in less than a year.
2. Case Conversion Rate: The Metric Nobody Talks About
You’ve probably seen this… when imaging is easy, fast, and available right now, more clients say “yes.”
When imaging requires a referral, a second trip, or more money upfront… fewer clients say yes.
What to measure:
Percent of recommended imaging that clients accept today
The percent you expect once imaging is same-day and in-house
Some practices that started offering same-day digital X-rays increased their acceptance rate from 43% to 78% in the first 3 months.
Why? When imaging is immediate, convenient, and clearly explained, clients see the value.
This means:
More complete diagnostics
More accurate treatment plans
More revenue per visit
Better medical outcomes—your team will care about this point as much as the financials.
Increasing your case conversion rate by even 15–20% can add thousands in monthly revenue without adding any new clients.
3. Referral Retention
Referrals aren’t bad by any means; you often need specialists.
But referring out basic imaging is one of the biggest hidden drains on revenue.
What to measure:
How many imaging referrals do you send out monthly
Average cost clients pay externally
Percent of referred clients who don’t return for follow-up care
Missed procedure revenue because the patient went to another hospital
If you refer out 20–30 ultrasounds per month at ~$300 each, that’s $6,000–$9,000 monthly handed to another practice.
Keeping even half those cases in-house often justifies the cost of a mid-range ultrasound system or DR panel on its own.
4. Cost Avoidance
Sometimes, it’s not about the revenue you gain but the expenses you stop paying.
What to measure:
Outsourcing fees (radiographs, dental films, ultrasounds)
Additional sedation or handling charges caused by slow equipment
Time cost from workflow delays
The cost of retakes with outdated systems
A practice relying on outdated or low-resolution ultrasound equipment might:
Spend 15–20 extra minutes per scan due to slow boot-up times, poor image acquisition, or difficult navigation
Require additional restraint or sedation for anxious or painful patients because older probes take longer to capture clear images
Delay treatment decisions while waiting for images to be reviewed, re-taken, or sent out for interpretation
Upgrading to an ultrasound system can save:
10+ hours/month of staff time through faster image acquisition and streamlined workflows
5–10 sedation or heavy restraint events by reducing scan times and improving patient comfort
Countless repeat scans and workflow disruptions, thanks to enhanced image quality and intuitive controls
That’s real money saved, even before you consider the revenue side.
Putting It All Together
Most veterinary practices already have the patient volume to justify in-house imaging; they haven’t measured it yet. When you break down the numbers, the ROI becomes obvious:
More case conversions
Higher client satisfaction
Better patient outcomes
Faster workflows and a rapidly recouped investment
If you’re preparing to make the case to your team, this framework gives you everything you need to build confidence and get buy-in.
A 2025 Veterinary Ultrasound Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the Right Veterinary Ultrasound in 2025
For veterinary practices in 2025, investing in the right ultrasound system is more than just buying a machine — it’s about choosing a tool that fits your patients, workflow, and budget.
Below is your guide to making smart, confident decisions when selecting the best ultrasound for your hospital.
1. Key Factors When Purchasing a Veterinary Ultrasound
Imaging Performance and Probes
The types of patients you serve — small animals, equine, or exotics — will determine your probe requirements. Look for technologies such as Doppler flow imaging, speckle reduction, and image clarity enhancements, and make sure probe switching is simple and efficient.
Workflow Integration and Veterinary-Specific Features
Ease of use is crucial, especially in a busy practice. Look for intuitive controls, veterinary presets, reporting tools, and connectivity to PACS or practice management software. If your practice includes mobile or fieldwork, portability should be a top priority.
Service, Warranty, and Support
The best technology is only as strong as the support behind it. Check for service plan options, local support, parts availability, and software upgrade pathways to ensure long-term reliability.
Cost and ROI
Purchase price is just the beginning. Include maintenance, training, probes, and consumables when evaluating cost. Estimate how many scans you’ll perform weekly or monthly, and your revenue per scan, to calculate your break-even point and expected ROI.
2. Value-Focused Option for Small or General Animal Practices
For practices seeking high capability without a premium price, the Mindray Vetus E5 is an excellent choice — priced at $17,995.
Key Features
- Touch-sensitive gain adjustment for fingertip precision
- Intuitive control panel designed for veterinary use
- Advanced imaging: one-click optimization (iTouch), speckle-reduction (iClear), HR Flow, natural-touch elastography, and contrast imaging
- Lightweight and portable for in-clinic or mobile use
Why It Matters
At around $18,000, it offers strong value and a fast ROI. Its versatility across small and mixed animal applications — abdominal, soft tissue, cardiac, and reproductive — makes it a solid all-around investment for general practices.
3. Specialized Option for Equine and Large-Animal Practices
For equine or mixed-animal veterinarians, the Mindray Vetus EQ is a purpose-built system that delivers premium performance and portability.
Key Features
- Includes two transducers from options such as C5-1s convex, L13-3Ns linear, P4-2s phased array, or 6LE5Vs probes
- Extremely portable: weighs only 6.5 lbs and just 1.73″ thick
- 15.6″ LED monitor plus 12.3″ anti-glare touchscreen for barn or field use
- Preloaded equine presets: musculoskeletal, cardiac, abdomen, and reproduction
- Powered by ZST+ Zone Imaging technology for excellent image clarity and penetration
Why It Matters
Large animals require deeper imaging, a wider field of view, and durable equipment that performs well in challenging environments. The Vetus EQ is designed for these conditions — offering the portability, clarity, and ruggedness needed for on-farm or mobile work.
4. Key Questions to Ask Your Equipment Distributor
- What is included in the base price (probes, software, warranty)?
- What upgrade options are available (additional probes, software modules, reporting tools)?
- What service and support plans are offered (onsite vs. remote, response time, preventive maintenance)?
- How is training handled for your team?
- What are the consumable costs, warranty terms, and what happens if a probe fails?
- How compatible is the system with your current digital workflow (DICOM, PACS, practice management software)?
- What ROI timeline can you expect based on your case volume and patient mix?
5. Smart Decisions Made Easy
Ultrasound remains one of the most versatile and profitable diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine. Choosing the right system helps you improve patient care, expand diagnostic capabilities, and grow revenue.
Partner with a trusted distributor who provides not only the hardware, but also training, support, and integration guidance. That’s how your new ultrasound becomes more than just another machine — it becomes a vital tool for better diagnostics and sustainable practice growth.
8 Workflow Mistakes Undermining Your Diagnostic Equipment Investment
Diagnostic Imaging for Veterinary Practices
Explore our most requested systems, then review the workflow playbook below to maximize your ROI.
Avoid These 8 Imaging Workflow Errors in Vet Clinics
Investing in new diagnostic equipment, whether it’s a digital X-ray, ultrasound, or in-house lab analyzers, is one of the most impactful decisions a veterinary practice can make. But even the best technology can fall short if efficient workflows don’t support it.
It’s not uncommon for practices to purchase cutting-edge equipment only to find it underutilized, creating bottlenecks or staff frustration. The good news? These issues usually come down to workflow—not the equipment itself.
Here are eight common workflow mistakes that can quietly undermine your investment—and how to fix them.
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Inadequate Staff Training
One brief demo at installation isn’t enough. Inconsistent or incomplete training leads to errors, slowdowns, and missed diagnostic opportunities.
The fix: Schedule comprehensive hands-on training for all relevant staff and create clear SOPs for each device. Assign a “champion user” to support ongoing training, maintenance, and onboarding.
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Poor Equipment Placement and Room Layout
Cramped or inconvenient placement disrupts flow—staff travel farther, cross paths, and squeeze around tables, increasing time per case.
The fix: Map the workflow before installation. Place frequently used equipment near treatment/exam areas and ensure proper clearance for patients and staff.
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Not Integrating With Your Practice Software
Without PIMS integration, teams waste time on manual data entry and risk transcription errors.
The fix: Work with your provider to ensure full integration. Enable direct image uploads and automatic results imports to save time and improve accuracy.
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Overlooking Preventive Maintenance
Skipping maintenance or calibration causes inconsistent image quality and unexpected downtime.
The fix: Treat maintenance like patient appointments. Use a service plan for inspections, cleanings, and calibrations on schedule.
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Not Adjusting Scheduling and Staff Roles
New technology changes patient flow. If schedules and roles don’t adapt, you’ll see idle time or backlogs.
The fix: Reassess after installation. Consider dedicated techs for diagnostics during peak times, or add “diagnostic blocks” to your calendar.
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Ignoring Change Management
Team resistance can mean inconsistent use or reluctance to adopt new processes.
The fix: Involve the team early. Share the “why,” invite feedback, and celebrate quick wins to build buy-in.
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Underutilizing the Equipment’s Full Capabilities
Advanced features—contrast tools, cloud storage, automated reporting—often go unused.
The fix: Schedule periodic check-ins with your distributor or manufacturer. Ask about updates, features, and best practices to unlock more value.
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Failing to Measure Performance
If you don’t measure usage and outcomes, you can’t prove ROI or improve bottlenecks.
The fix: Track studies per month, time from imaging to diagnosis, and referral cost reductions. Use insights to refine workflows and highlight clinical/financial impact.
Supportive Workflow Makes a Difference
A successful diagnostic upgrade isn’t just about the technology—it’s about the workflow that supports it. With thoughtful planning, proper training, and regular review, your new equipment can enhance efficiency, patient care, and profitability for years to come.
Integrating CO₂ Laser Surgery Into Your Veterinary Practice: What to Expect
Why CO₂ Laser Surgery Belongs in Every Vet Practice
You’ve heard the buzz about CO₂ laser surgery — cleaner incisions, less bleeding, smoother recoveries — and maybe you’ve even seen a few impressive demos. But what does it really look like to bring this technology into your practice?
Transitioning to laser surgery isn’t just about new equipment. It’s about improving patient care, elevating your standard of medicine, and creating a smoother experience for both your team and your clients. Here’s what to expect when introducing a CO₂ laser into your veterinary practice.
Preparing Your Space: Setting Up for Success
Before your new laser arrives, evaluate your surgery suite setup. CO₂ lasers don’t require major renovations, but a few simple adjustments can make a big difference:
- Electrical requirements: Most units plug into standard outlets, but confirm with your manufacturer.
- Ventilation: Use a proper smoke evacuator to maintain air quality and visibility.
- Safety signage and eyewear: Lasers require specific protective glasses for both staff and patients.
- Workspace organization: Keep the laser cart accessible but away from high-traffic zones.
Taking time to fine-tune your surgical space ensures your team starts off confident and compliant.
Training Your Team
Your laser is only as effective as the people using it. Most manufacturers and distributors offer hands-on training when you purchase your device. Training usually covers:
- Operating controls and safety protocols
- Tissue interaction and power settings
- Case selection and clinical best practices
- Maintenance and cleaning procedures
Include your technicians early — they play a key role in setup, eyewear distribution, and smoke evacuation, ensuring smooth surgical flow.
Updating Safety Protocols
Like radiology equipment, CO₂ lasers come with specific safety requirements. You’ll need to:
- Post laser safety signage in the surgical area
- Maintain protective eyewear for all personnel
- Keep detailed laser use and maintenance logs
These steps ensure compliance and demonstrate your commitment to safety.
Communicating Value to Clients
Once your team is ready, it’s time to educate your clients. Most pet parents have never heard of CO₂ laser surgery — or imagine it’s the same as a cat toy pointer. Keep it simple:
“A CO₂ laser uses a concentrated beam of light instead of a scalpel. It seals small blood vessels and nerve endings as it cuts, resulting in less pain and faster recovery.”
Highlight what matters most to them — their pet’s comfort:
- Less pain: Seals nerve endings during surgery for reduced discomfort.
- Less swelling and bleeding: Creates a cleaner field and smoother recovery.
- Faster healing: Smaller incisions help pets bounce back sooner.
You can draw parallels to human medicine: “Just like human surgeons use lasers for delicate procedures, we use it to make your pet’s surgery as gentle as possible.”
Share the message on your website, in exam rooms, and through social media. If you add a small upgrade fee, frame it as an investment in their pet’s comfort and safety.
Measuring ROI: How Laser Surgery Pays for Itself
A CO₂ laser isn’t just a clinical upgrade — it’s a business investment that often pays for itself within a year. Here’s how to maximize ROI:
- Add a modest “laser surgery” fee ($50–$150 per procedure)
- Increase surgical volume as clients choose advanced care
- Attract new patients by marketing your laser-equipped practice
Over time, improved efficiency and fewer complications save both time and costs.
Start Small, Grow Confident
You don’t have to switch every surgery to laser right away. Begin with cases where it offers clear advantages, such as:
- Small mass removals
- Gingival surgeries
- Eyelid or perianal tumor removals
As your team gains experience, expand into more complex applications.
Bringing It All Together
Integrating a CO₂ laser into your veterinary practice quickly proves its worth — for your patients, clients, and staff alike. The learning curve is short, the impact is immediate, and the benefits last for years. With the right setup, training, and communication, laser surgery can become one of your clinic’s most valuable offerings.
Sealigrate IS007: Designed for Veterinary Surgery
Sealigrate IS007: The All-In-One Electrosurgical System for Veterinary Surgery
Every veterinary surgeon knows that precision, speed, and reliability make all the difference in the operating room. The Sealigrate IS007 Electrosurgical System is designed to meet those needs — delivering advanced cutting, coagulation, and vessel-sealing performance in one compact, veterinary-optimized unit.
SEALIGRATE™ IS007 All-In-One Electrosurgical System
$11,995 or $295/mo
Includes a 3-year warranty and complimentary 1-hour Zoom training.
Call: 877-545-1202
Why Every Veterinary Surgeon Needs the Sealigrate IS007
Veterinary surgery often demands quick adaptability — moving from a spay to a mass removal or emergency procedure without missing a beat. The Sealigrate IS007 makes that transition effortless, offering high-end performance in a system that fits perfectly in both hospitals and mobile practices.
Tissue-Adaptive Technology
The IS007 continuously adjusts its energy output in real time, ensuring smooth transitions between cutting, coagulation, and vessel sealing. That means no stopping to tweak dials mid-surgery — just uninterrupted, confident control.
Massive 350W Coagulation Power
With a high-frequency generator output of 350 watts, the IS007 delivers cleaner, dryer fields and faster hemostasis compared to many human-market systems. Surgeons can expect shorter procedure times and improved visibility throughout every case.
Reliable Vessel Sealing up to 7 mm
The system fuses vessels up to 7 millimeters in diameter, giving veterinarians the precision and reliability needed for both routine and complex surgical procedures. From soft-tissue surgeries to mass removals, this advanced vessel-sealing capability minimizes blood loss and enhances patient recovery.
LigaSure™ Compatibility
The Sealigrate IS007 is fully compatible with both reusable and disposable LigaSure™ handpieces, allowing clinics to balance cost efficiency and convenience without compromising performance.
Compact and Customizable
At just 13 kilograms, the IS007 is easy to move and ideal for practices with limited space or mobile setups. It stores up to 80 customizable presets, so your team can switch seamlessly between common procedures without manual adjustments.
Designed for Real-World Veterinary Workflows
Every veterinary team develops its own rhythm — and the Sealigrate IS007 fits right in. It’s engineered to handle the unexpected flow of a busy surgery schedule while maintaining consistency and control. With quick presets, adaptive technology, and portability, it’s one of the most efficient tools you can add to your surgical suite.
Compact Size. Big Impact.
Space is a premium in veterinary medicine. The Sealigrate IS007 combines high-end performance with a small footprint, making it the perfect fit for any operating environment. It’s proof that compact design doesn’t mean compromise — just smarter engineering.
Easy to Learn. Easy to Use.
Getting started is simple. Each unit includes a complimentary one-hour Zoom training session for your team, ensuring you’re ready to operate confidently from day one. With intuitive controls and clear display feedback, it’s user-friendly for all experience levels.
Learn more at NewVetEquipment.com
or Call: 877-545-1202
Why More Veterinarians Are Replacing the Scalpel With a CO₂ Laser
Replace the Scalpel With a CO₂ Laser
Do you ever go into a soft-tissue surgery wishing for less bleeding, cleaner margins, and a calmer recovery for your patient? Across veterinary medicine, more surgeons are setting down the traditional scalpel and picking up a CO₂ laser.
At first glance, it might look like a flashy upgrade. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that this technology brings real, measurable benefits for your patients, your staff, and your bottom line.
Precision Without All the Bleeding
One of the biggest perks of a CO₂ laser is precision. Instead of a mechanical cut, the laser uses a focused beam of light that vaporizes tissue at the cellular level.
That precision means:
- Less bleeding: The laser instantly seals small blood vessels as it cuts, giving you a clear field and saving time on hemostasis.
- Less trauma: You’re not tearing or crushing tissue with mechanical pressure.
- Cleaner margins: Especially helpful in delicate areas like the mouth, eyelids, or perianal region.
Surgeons often describe it as “cutting with light” — and it really does feel that smooth once you’ve made the switch.
Happier Patients, Faster Recoveries
Because the CO₂ laser cauterizes nerve endings as it incises, many patients experience less postoperative pain and reduced inflammation. That translates to faster recoveries and fewer post-op complications.
You’ll often notice less swelling and bruising in soft-tissue cases and find that patients usually start eating, playing, and moving sooner.
Pet parents see the difference, too. When “Henry” bounces back faster after a lump removal or soft palate resection, that experience builds trust — and word-of-mouth referrals.
Efficiency in the OR
The first time you use a CO₂ laser, you’ll notice how much cleaner the surgical field stays. Visibility improves, suturing is easier, and procedures often take less time overall.
Veterinarians report time savings of 10–30% on common soft-tissue surgeries compared to traditional blade techniques. Over the course of a week (or a year), that efficiency adds up — both in time and in revenue potential.
Top 5 Surgeries That Benefit Most from a CO₂ Laser
CO₂ lasers are particularly valuable for soft-tissue procedures where bleeding, pain, and inflammation can complicate recovery. The laser provides clear surgical fields, reduced post-op discomfort, faster healing, and less swelling. Consider surgeries like:
- Mass Removals: Cleaner margins, minimal bleeding, and less trauma to surrounding tissue.
- Oral Surgery: Precise cuts in vascular areas, reduced bleeding, and improved comfort post-op.
- Soft Palate Resection: Excellent visibility and control in delicate, high-vascular regions of the oropharynx.
- Entropion or Eyelid Tumor Removal: Minimizes bleeding and swelling in sensitive periocular tissues, allowing better cosmetic and functional outcomes.
- Perianal or Perivulvar Tumor Excision: Laser cauterization provides hemostasis and reduces risk of infection in these challenging, bacteria-prone areas.
A Cleaner, Safer Veterinary Practice
On top of its surgical benefits, laser surgery can also reduce the risk of infection. The high-energy beam sterilizes as it cuts, eliminating bacteria in the incision line.
Less bleeding and less tissue trauma also mean fewer open wounds and less drainage, so you’ll spend less time managing wound complications or bandage changes.
A Better Experience for Your Clients
From your client’s perspective, laser surgery sounds modern — because it is. But it’s not just a marketing buzzword; it’s a meaningful advancement that improves patient outcomes.
When you can tell pet owners that:
- The procedure involves less bleeding and discomfort
- Their pet will recover faster and likely need fewer pain medications
- The technology offers a cleaner, safer incision
…you’ve just elevated your practice’s image while genuinely improving patient care.
Return on Investment
Yes, a CO₂ laser is an investment — typically between $25,000–$45,000, depending on the model and features. But when you integrate it into your daily caseload (spay/neuters, mass removals, gingival hyperplasia, soft palate resections, etc.), the ROI becomes tangible.
Practices that charge even a modest $75–$150 laser surgery fee per case can see the unit pay for itself within the first year. And that’s before you factor in time saved, client satisfaction, and surgical precision.
Elevating Your Standards
Switching from a traditional surgical knife to a CO₂ laser doesn’t just modernize your practice — it elevates the standard of care. You’ll perform cleaner, faster surgeries, your patients will heal more comfortably, and your clients will see the value immediately.
For many veterinarians, once they experience “cutting with light,” there’s no going back.
A Veterinary Buyer’s Guide to Today’s Leading CO₂ Lasers
Today’s Leading CO2 Lasers for Veterinary Surgery
Shopping for a CO2 surgical laser is a smart move—these systems are workhorses for precise soft-tissue procedures. But the market can feel messy: vet-specific brands, refurbished human-market systems, tube services, and a wide range of warranty options. This guide compares what matters most so you can choose confidently.
The Three Serious Contenders
VetScalpel / Aesculight
Vet-focused family of CO2 lasers with veterinary handpieces, presets, and extensive training support.
Lumenis AcuPulse
Human surgical/aesthetic platform commonly repurposed for vet clinics; strong performance, varies by reseller.
LightScalpel LS-2010
Compact, modern CO2 laser with flexible fiber delivery, 50 presets, autoclavable handpieces, and built-in training.
A Closer Look at Each Laser
1) Aesculight / VetScalpel (Veterinary-Focused)
- What it is: CO2 lasers built for veterinary use (VS-3020, VS-4025, VS-4530) with flexible fiber delivery and veterinary presets.
- Pricing: Typically $30k–$45k new or $8k–$15k used, depending on age and configuration.
- Warranty & support: 5-year warranty, veterinary training, and trade-in options.
- Best for: Clinics wanting a dedicated veterinary system with strong manufacturer backing.
2) Lumenis AcuPulse (Cross-Market / Refurbished)
- What it is: Human CO2 platform with SuperPulse modes and scanner options, often placed in vet settings via refurb channels.
- Pricing: $13k–$15k for refurbished, $20k–$30k for newer dealer units.
- Warranty & support: 30–90 days typical for refurbished units; longer for new.
- Best for: Practices seeking high performance at lower cost, comfortable with cross-market service.
3) LightScalpel LS-2010 (Newer Entrant, Vet-Friendly)
- What it is: Air-cooled CO2 laser with 20 W continuous, 10 W SuperPulse, fiber delivery, and autoclavable handpieces.
- Pricing: Quote-based, similar to other high-end veterinary lasers.
- Warranty & support: 5-year parts & labor warranty plus on-site training.
- Best for: Clinics wanting a compact, modern system with strong warranty and included training.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | VetScalpel / Aesculight | Lumenis AcuPulse | LightScalpel LS-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | $30k–$45k new; $8k–$15k used. | $13k–$30k depending on dealer/refurb status. | Quote-based; similar to other vet-grade CO2 systems. |
| Warranty & Training | 5 years; includes veterinary training. | 30–90 days typical; longer on new units. | 5 years; includes on-site training session. |
| Clinical Fit | Veterinary-built; presets and vet handpieces. | Versatile but designed for human procedures. | Modern fiber system; compact and user-friendly. |
What to Confirm Before Buying
- Exact warranty terms — especially tube and consumable coverage.
- Local service support and turnaround time for repairs.
- Training options: on-site or virtual, initial and ongoing.
- Financing terms: lease vs. purchase and promotional options.
TL;DR — Quick Recommendations
- Best full veterinary support: VetScalpel/Aesculight — proven systems with 5-year coverage and training.
- Best budget flexibility: Lumenis AcuPulse — strong power and low entry cost via refurbished options.
- Best warranty and training mix: LightScalpel LS-2010 — compact design with on-site training included.
Radiation Safety Tools Every Veterinary Clinic Needs
Protecting the Heart of Your Practice: Veterinary Radiation Safety Essentials
Running a busy veterinary practice means balancing patient care, client satisfaction, and staff safety—just the tip of the iceberg.
When your practice offers diagnostic imaging like X-rays or dental radiography, radiation safety becomes a non-negotiable priority. It protects your team and helps you stay compliant with regulations. The good news: with the right shielding, protocols, and monitoring tools, maintaining a safe, compliant environment is straightforward.
Why Radiation Safety Matters in Veterinary Practices
When you’re around imaging tools frequently, it’s easy to let the risks of intermittent exposure fade into the background. Diagnostic imaging enables faster, more accurate diagnoses—but repeated exposure to even low doses can accumulate over time. Protecting your staff (and yourself) from unnecessary exposure safeguards the people who make your practice possible and keeps you aligned with regulatory requirements.
Shielding: The First Line of Defense
Proper radiation shielding prevents stray radiation from traveling beyond its intended area. Most clinics install lead-lined walls, windows, and doors within imaging rooms.
The Physicist Shielding Report is invaluable. A qualified medical physicist evaluates your layout, workload, and imaging equipment to calculate required shielding location and thickness, ensuring you are both compliant and well protected.
Key benefits of a Physicist Shielding Report:
- Confirms your clinic meets applicable state and federal requirements.
- Reduces long-term liability by documenting protective measures.
- Provides peace of mind that staff, clients, and adjacent areas are protected.
Timing matters: commission the shielding report before installing new X-ray or CT equipment. Designing the room correctly from the start avoids costly retrofits and delays.
Monitoring Exposure: The Role of Dosimeter Badges
Shielding alone isn’t enough—verification is critical. Dosimeter badge services track the cumulative radiation dose your staff receives. Team members wear badges during work and submit them for regular analysis. The results confirm your protocols are effective and provide documentation for inspections.
Why dosimeter badges are essential:
- Early detection of overexposure so you can intervene quickly.
- Reliable documentation for regulatory compliance and audits.
- Visible commitment that reinforces a culture of safety.
Building a Culture of Safety in Your Practice
Radiation safety starts at the top. When owners and managers model best practices—wearing lead aprons and gloves, using thyroid collars, and properly wearing badges—it sends a clear message: this matters. Your team will mirror what they see.
Practical tips to strengthen safety culture:
- Post clear signage and positioning diagrams in imaging areas.
- Hold annual training refreshers—make them engaging or even gamified.
- Maintain a log of dosimeter readings and follow up on outliers.
- Schedule periodic reviews with a qualified medical physicist.
- Recognize and reward consistent compliance and good habits.
Regularly review your procedures and update them as guidelines or technologies evolve.
Make Safety Simple
Radiation safety isn’t just a compliance checkbox—it protects the heart of your practice: your people. With correct shielding, ongoing exposure monitoring, and consistent training, you’ll create a safe, efficient environment where staff and patients thrive.
Is Advanced CT Imaging Worth It? A Practical ROI for Veterinary Hospitals
Fujifilm Supria Plus 32-Slice CT ROI for Veterinarians Now
Ever wish you had more diagnostic clarity at your fingertips? Whether it’s a tricky nasal case, a subtle spinal lesion, or a client who needs answers today, in-house CT can change your standard of care—and your bottom line.
With CT becoming more accessible, many practices are asking: is now the time to bring it in-house? Below, we look at the Fujifilm Supria Plus 32-Slice CT to help you decide if it fits your hospital’s clinical goals and financial plan.
What Makes the Supria Plus Different
- Room for everyone: 75 cm gantry and 500 lb table capacity—comfortable for giant-breed dogs.
- Lower dose by design: Automatic, size-based dose reduction helps maintain image quality while minimizing exposure.
- Faster, more detailed scans: Up to 32-slice reconstruction reduces anesthesia time and increases throughput.
- Practical footprint: Compact and user-friendly, easing integration without major renovations or weeks of retraining.
At a glance:
- Excellent for neuro, nasal, dental/maxillofacial, thoracic, abdominal, and orthopedic studies.
- Improved scheduling control and client satisfaction with same-day answers.
- Retention of cases that might otherwise be referred out.
Understanding the Costs
- Acquisition: Approx. $299,000 (many practices finance at roughly $3,995/month).
- Warranty & PM: 2-year warranty; preventative maintenance every six months by Fuji-certified technicians.
- Per-scan costs: Radiologist read ~$250/scan; contrast for injected studies ~$100/scan (estimate).
- After warranty: Set aside a monthly service reserve to cover ongoing parts and service (example below uses $3,000/mo).
How the Numbers Can Work in Your Favor
Here’s a simple, conservative example to sanity-check your local demand:
| Assumption | Example Value |
|---|---|
| Monthly volume | 20 scans (≈5 per week) |
| Average fee per scan | $1,500 |
| Gross monthly revenue | $30,000 |
| Financing payment | $3,995 / month |
| Radiologist reads | 20 × $250 = $5,000 |
| Contrast | 20 × $100 = $2,000 |
| Service reserve (post-warranty planning) | $3,000 / month |
| Total monthly costs | $13,995 |
| Estimated net margin | $30,000 − $13,995 = $16,005 / month |
Break-even snapshot: With revenue of $1,500/scan and variable costs of $350/scan (radiologist + contrast), your contribution margin is ~$1,150/scan. Using the fixed cost proxy above (~$6,995 = payment + reserve), break-even is ≈ 7 scans/month (6.1 rounded up). Your accounting may vary—use your exact fees and costs.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
- Review cases you currently refer out—this is your most realistic starting volume.
- Plan for a ramp-up period; consistency often lands after a few months.
- Confirm room size, power, shielding, and any site prep requirements in advance.
- Invest in team training; even user-friendly systems have a learning curve.
- Keep a service reserve once the warranty ends to avoid cash-flow surprises.
Taking the Leap
Choosing CT isn’t about chasing the newest gadget—it’s about transforming how you practice medicine. The Supria Plus 32-Slice CT can deliver sharper images, faster answers, and stronger client trust while keeping more care in-house. Run your numbers, map your space and training, and decide if now is the right time.
Looking for specs, workflow, and installation guidance? See the product page: Fujifilm Supria Plus 32-Slice CT Scanner.
Veterinary Hospital Financing: A Complete Startup Guide
What Every Veterinarian Should Know About Financing a Veterinary Hospital
Starting your own hospital is exciting — but funding it can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to plan, finance, and succeed with confidence.
The cost of opening a veterinary hospital can easily reach six or seven figures. Real estate, construction, medical equipment, technology, staffing, and working capital all add up quickly. Fortunately, Bank of America Practice Solutions offers veterinary-specific loans designed to make this journey possible.
Step 1: Know Your Startup Costs
Every hospital is unique, but most startups include:
- Leasehold improvements or construction (floors, walls, plumbing, kennels)
- Diagnostic equipment (digital x-ray, ultrasound, dental, anesthesia)
- Technology (practice management software, computers, IT setup)
- Furniture & client amenities (exam tables, waiting chairs, reception)
- Inventory (pharmaceuticals, lab supplies, consumables)
- Staffing and payroll
- Marketing and signage
- Working capital for early growth months
Don’t underestimate working capital — it may take months to build steady revenue.
Step 2: Explore Veterinary-Specific Loans
Bank of America Practice Solutions provides:
- 100% financing with no large down payment
- Veterinary lending specialists who understand your needs
- Flexible repayment terms for manageable monthly payments
- No prepayment penalties if you pay off early
- Comprehensive coverage for equipment, build-out, and working capital
Step 3: Prepare Your Business Plan
A strong plan helps you and your lender. Include:
- Mission and goals for your hospital
- Target market and demographics
- Services you’ll provide (general, specialty, mobile)
- Financial projections and growth plans
- Marketing strategies to build visibility
Step 4: Plan Your Repayment Strategy
Loan terms often range 10–15 years. Smart strategies include:
- Start conservatively with manageable payments
- Pay extra when revenue allows
- Balance reinvesting in growth with debt reduction
Step 5: Think Beyond the Loan
- Choose the right location: demographics, visibility, parking, competition
- Hire wisely: invest in a skilled, culture-fit team
- Don’t skimp on equipment: reliable tools build client trust
- Plan for surprises: delays, backorders, or zoning issues happen
With preparation and the right financing, your hospital dream is within reach.
Is It Time To Add CT To Your Veterinary Diagnostics?
Bring 32-Slice CT In-House to Elevate Patient Care for Vets
Veterinary medicine is evolving quickly, and with it comes the growing demand for advanced imaging. If you’ve ever found yourself wishing for more detailed views than radiographs can offer—or if you’ve been sending patients elsewhere for CT scans—you may be wondering if it’s time to bring CT technology into your practice. Sound familiar?
Many veterinarians already utilize some form of advanced imaging; however, older CT systems can be limited by factors such as speed, slice count, or patient comfort. A 32-slice system, like the Supria Plus, represents a significant step forward. More slices mean faster acquisition times, sharper image detail, and less time under anesthesia. That’s not just better for diagnostics—it’s safer for patients and reassuring for clients.
Making the Budget Work
Adding advanced imaging has to make sense for your business. Period. A simple way to look at the numbers is to start with a baseline: performing around 15 CT scans per month at an average fee of $1,500 per case. That puts your gross monthly revenue at about $22,500.
From there, factor in common costs:
- A fixed monthly payment for the unit
- Radiologist interpretations (around $250 per scan)
- Contrast materials
- A set amount you save each month for preventive maintenance and future service needs
When you account for those, the math still leaves a healthy margin. Even at the minimum case volume, many practices find they can cover costs, build a maintenance reserve, and still generate meaningful revenue. And as your caseload grows—which often happens once CT becomes available—the financial picture only gets stronger.
Focusing on What Matters
When you’re looking at different imaging options, it helps to focus on what will truly make a difference day-to-day—for your patients, your team, and your clients. The Supria Plus 32-Slice CT has all three in mind, blending precision, efficiency, and practicality in a way that makes it a strong fit. Here are a few advantages that make it stand out:
- Sharper, faster diagnostics – 32-slice technology delivers high-resolution images quickly, reducing anesthesia time and improving patient safety.
- Built for all patients – A wide-bore gantry accommodates pets of every size and shape.
- Smooth workflow – Compact and intuitive, it makes it easy for your team to integrate CT into your day-to-day.
Designed With Workflow in Mind
The Supria Plus is compact enough to fit comfortably in most veterinary settings, and still spacious where it counts, with high weight capacity to accommodate patients of all sizes. The interface is intuitive, so your team can focus on patient care instead of wrestling with a steep learning curve. And because image acquisition is so fast, your caseload won’t get bottlenecked in the imaging suite.
Looking Ahead
Offering CT services in-house sends a strong message to your clients that your practice is committed to thorough care. For many pet parents, the ability to get same-day results without a referral is invaluable. It strengthens client trust, enhances loyalty, and positions your hospital as a leader in your community.
Whether you’re thinking about adding CT for the first time or considering an upgrade from an older unit, it’s worth looking at how the technology fits into your long-term goals. The right CT doesn’t just expand your diagnostic portfolio—it shapes the kind of medicine you’re able to practice for years to come.
ROI of Veterinary CT Scanners: Profitability Made Simple
Is a CT Scanner Right for Your Veterinary Practice?
Plan the investment, elevate patient care, and see a simple monthly ROI example.
For many veterinary practices, adding advanced imaging is a dream that feels just out of reach. But with the proper planning, CT technology can be both accessible and profitable—while dramatically elevating the level of care you can provide.
Why CT Changes the Conversation
Beyond the financial benefits, adding a CT scanner to your hospital opens the door to faster, more accurate diagnoses for complex cases. CT is beneficial for identifying issues like nasal tumors, thoracic masses, intervertebral disc disease, and complex fractures that can be difficult to assess with traditional radiographs. It’s also great at detecting subtle changes in the lungs, sinuses, and abdomen, giving you and your clients clear answers more quickly. With CT, you can shorten the path from uncertainty to treatment.
Introducing the Fujifilm Supria Plus
The Fujifilm Supria Plus 32-Slice CT Scanner is a traditional CT system designed for practices that want speed, precision, and reliability. It’s designed with both efficiency and patient comfort in mind. Its wide 75 cm gantry and large 500 lb table capacity make positioning easier for veterinary patients of all sizes, while advanced dose-reduction technology ensures high-quality images with lower radiation exposure. Combined with a compact footprint and user-friendly interface, it’s built to deliver powerful diagnostic capabilities without overwhelming your workflow or your facility space.
The Numbers That Matter
When you’re considering a piece of equipment this advanced, it’s natural to wonder: Can my practice really afford this? Here’s a simple way to run the numbers using conservative assumptions:
| Assumption | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum volume | 15 CT scans per month |
| Average charge per scan | $1,500 |
| Monthly payment plan | $4,000 |
| Radiologist read per scan | $250 |
| Contrast cost per scan | $100 (estimate) |
| Preventive maintenance savings | $3,000/month set aside |
Your Profitability Calculator (Example)
| Line Item | Calculation | Monthly Total |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 15 scans × $1,500 | $22,500 |
| CT payment | — | $4,000 |
| Radiologist reads | 15 × $250 | $3,750 |
| Contrast | 15 × $100 | $1,500 |
| Maintenance fund | — | $3,000 |
| Net Monthly Margin | $22,500 – $12,250 | $10,250 |
That’s over $120,000 net margin per year at just 15 cases/month. As awareness grows among clients and referring DVMs, many hospitals see higher volumes—improving ROI even further.
Why Choose the Fuji 32-Slice CT?
- Speed & Accuracy: Detailed imaging in seconds helps reduce anesthesia time and supports precise treatment planning.
- Client Trust: Offering CT communicates clinical excellence and provides peace of mind to pet owners.
- Referral Potential: Nearby clinics without CT are more likely to refer advanced cases to you.
- Longevity: With a disciplined preventive maintenance plan, you’ll get years of reliable performance.
Related: Fujifilm Supria Plus 32-Slice CT Scanner for Veterinary Hospitals
Launching Your Veterinary Practice: A Friendly Guide to Financing with Live Oak Bank
Starting or growing a veterinary practice can feel both exhilarating and overwhelming.
It’s the start of something new, but it comes with some significant financial decisions. From securing the correct location to investing in equipment and staffing, the costs can quickly add up.
That’s why having a lending partner who understands the veterinary profession is so important.
That’s where Live Oak Bank comes in
They've built their reputation by specializing in veterinary practice loans, and their approach is all about understanding your unique needs.
Live Oak Bank is tailored to the needs of veterinary practice owners for several reasons:
Veterinary roots and expertise: Live Oak Bank was actually founded to serve veterinarians—their early focus was veterinary lending, and they even have a DVM on staff to ensure they truly “get it.”
SBA Preferred Lender: They offer SBA 7(a), SBA 504, USDA, conventional, and Express loans—backed by the Small Business Administration for smoother approvals, often faster processing, and favorable terms.
Significant loan amounts for growth: Want to acquire a clinic or expand into real estate? Loan options go up to $5 million (SBA 7(a)) and $15 million (SBA 504).
Dedicated support: Borrowers are paired with a business analyst from application through funding—meaning you're guided every step of the way.
Speed, Support, and Storytelling
Live Oak Bank combines efficiency with a personal touch—moving quickly to get you the funding you need while keeping the process clear and supportive. And because they have real veterinarians who’ve walked this path, you can see firsthand how others have successfully financed their practices, making the journey feel a little less overwhelming and a lot more achievable.
Here are a few more details you can expect:
Fast underwriting and closing: SBA underwriting can take 1–2 weeks, with closings typically within 45–90 days. Preferred lender status helps streamline this.
Personalization: Beyond numbers, Live Oak offers relational support. One reviewer highlighted that “every borrower is connected with a dedicated business analyst.”
Real veterinary stories: Live Oak features real-life veterinary entrepreneurs on their blog—sharing relatable experiences of how they “got the cash.”
Preparing for Your Loan Journey
Preparing for your loan journey is all about laying a strong foundation. The more organized you are with your financials, business plan, and long-term goals, the smoother the process will be.
Think of it as creating a roadmap for your practice’s future—when lenders see that you’ve done your homework, it not only speeds up approvals but also positions you for the best possible terms.
Focus on financial health: Keep your debt-to-income ratio healthy—typically under 50%—and plan to put down at least 10% for SBA loans.
Get documents in order: Expect to provide business plans, financial statements, debt info, tax returns, bank statements, etc. Being prepared can speed up approvals.
Leverage relationships: Connect with SBA-savvy loan officers—Live Oak has region-specific specialists, including some focused on veterinary lending.
Why Veterinarians Should Care
Industry understanding—You’re not just a number. With a DVM and veterinary-focused approach, Live Oak can speak your language.
Customized financial tools—Whether a small clinic expansion or a complete hospital acquisition, the right loan funding is available.
Speed matters—Being an SBA Preferred Lender means faster decisions when you need to ramp up quickly.
Guided process—From application to closing, a dedicated analyst keeps you connected and on track.
Your Next Steps
If you’re dreaming of starting your own veterinary hospital, expanding your current clinic, or upgrading equipment, here’s what to do now:
Visit Live Oak Bank's Veterinary Practice Loans page to get a feel for their approach.
Prepare your paperwork and reach out to a business analyst—they’re there to help you navigate options.
Share your story—both the challenges and triumphs—as this resonates deeply with others and particularly, prospective clients.
Live Oak Bank offers a knowledgeable and flexible path to financing your veterinary practice dreams. With their loan products designed for veterinarians, personalized guidance, and commitment to your success, you're in thoughtful hands and ready to grow—from exam room to entire hospital.
Please reach out to me, and I will help you get the process started. Call: 877-545-1202
The Surgical Sidekick You Didn’t Know You Needed
Let’s be honest…running a veterinary practice is a bit like spinning plates while juggling.
The last thing you need in the middle of a busy OR is equipment that’s bulky, finicky, or slows you down. That’s precisely why the Sealigrate IS007 electrosurgical system is such a great fit.
The Sealigrate IS007 is an all-in-one veterinary electrosurgical system designed to make surgeries faster, cleaner, and more efficient.
It combines advanced tissue-adaptive technology with powerful cutting, coagulation, and vessel-sealing capabilities — all in a compact, portable unit.
Compatible with both reusable and disposable LigaSure™ handpieces, it’s built to handle everything from routine procedures to complex surgeries, helping you deliver precise results while streamlining workflow.
Here are a few things that set it apart:
Tissue-Adaptive Technology
This system tweaks its energy output in real time, so whether you’re cutting, coagulating, or sealing, it adjusts automatically. No more fiddling with dials mid-procedure—just smooth transitions that follow your rhythm.
Massive Coagulation Power
At 350W, its coagulation power outpaces many human-market units by a significant margin, so your cuts are cleaner, your fields are dryer, and your focus stays where it should be—on your patient.
Reliable Vessel Sealing up to 7 mm
Spays, mass removals, and emergency cases all benefit from fast, consistent fusion cycles. That means less blood, shorter surgeries, and calmer staff (and pets) post-op.
LigaSure™ Compatibility
Want the flexibility to use either reusable or disposable handpieces? No problem. They’re compatible, so you can save money on consumables without compromising performance.
Compact, Portable, and Customizable
At just 13 kg, the IS007 fits comfortably into any surgery room or mobile unit. Plus, you can pre-load up to 80 presets tailored to the procedures you perform most—talk about workflow efficiency.
Built for Real-Life Veterinary Workflows
Every practice has its rhythm — and surgery days rarely go exactly as planned.
The Sealigrate IS007 fits right into that unpredictable flow, letting you move from a routine spay to a complex mass removal.
Its customizable presets mean you can have your go-to settings ready at the push of a button, saving you from constant adjustments and letting you focus on the patient in front of you.
It’s one less thing to think about when you’re juggling a busy surgical schedule.
Small Footprint, Big Impact
Space is always at a premium in veterinary practices, whether you’re in a fully equipped hospital or working out of a mobile unit. The Sealigrate IS007 is light enough to move wherever it’s needed — but don’t let its size fool you…
It’s compact design houses some serious power, capable of delivering unmatched coagulation performance and reliable vessel sealing.
It’s proof that a tool doesn’t have to be bulky to be a surgical game-changer.
Real-Life Wins You’ll Appreciate
Think about those frantic days with back-to-back spays, or the odd emergency that throws your schedule off mid-morning. The IS007 shines in those moments. It lets your team:
Stay organized with streamlined tools
Work faster with reliable vessel sealing
Keep eyes calm and surgical fields clear
Bounce back from interruptions with consistency
Getting off the ground with this unit is easy, too—it even comes with a complimentary one-hour Zoom training to help your team start confidently.
Final Takeaways
We all want the same thing: smoother surgeries, quicker recoveries, and a surgical suite that keeps pace with our care standards. The Sealigrate IS007 is a thoughtful upgrade - one that understands your routine, respects your space, and has your back when life’s surgical surprises arrive.
Would you be ready to feel the difference firsthand?
Surgeries That Get a Serious Upgrade With Advanced Electrosurgery
Veterinary surgery has come a long way — and new tools are helping us work faster, safer, and more efficiently than ever before.
If you’ve been relying on traditional cautery or older electrosurgical units, upgrading to a system with high-level precision can completely change how your procedures feel — both for you and your patients.
So, what kinds of procedures benefit the most from a cautery unit?
We’ll get to that in just a second.
First, let’s peek at some of the benefits that electrosurgery has on patient recovery:
1. Reduced Blood Loss
Electrocautery units like the Sealigrat IS007 provide superior hemostasis, sealing blood vessels as you cut. This minimizes intraoperative blood loss, meaning less stress on the patient’s body, particularly in smaller animals. With less blood loss, patients maintain better blood pressure and oxygenation, promoting smoother recoveries.
2. Shorter Anesthesia Times
Electrocautery tools allow you to move through procedures more efficiently. Fewer clamps and ligatures mean less time spent managing bleeders or switching tools. And the shorter the surgery, the less time the patient is under anesthesia.
3. Less Tissue Trauma
Unlike traditional scalpel blades, electrosurgery cauterizes as it cuts, which means less mechanical damage to surrounding tissues. That results in less inflammation, less swelling, and less post-op pain.
4. Lower Risk of Post-Op Complications
A cleaner surgical field and better hemostasis mean fewer opportunities for post-op issues like seromas, hematomas, or delayed wound healing. Electrosurgery helps promote neater incisions and stronger closure.
5. Better Experience for Shelter and High-Volume Clinics
In high-volume spay/neuter settings, efficiency is key — but so is patient safety. Electrocautery allows for fast, repeatable procedures with consistent outcomes. This helps ensure more animals can be treated in less time without compromising recovery quality.
So basically… faster surgeries, less trauma, and cleaner incisions all lead to smoother, more predictable recoveries. That means happier patients, less stress for pet parents, and fewer post-op concerns for your team.
Now, let’s dive into five of the most common surgeries that benefit from electrocautery.
1. Spays and Neuters
These routine procedures make up a big chunk of surgical appointments in many general practices — and they’re precisely the kind of case where advanced electrosurgery shines.
With vessel sealing up to 7mm and fast fusion cycles, you can minimize bleeding and reduce surgical time, all while keeping things clean and controlled.
It’s a simple switch that can make your most common procedures smoother from start to finish.
2. Mass Removals
Whether you’re dealing with a superficial lipoma or something more involved, mass removals can be unpredictable.
Electrosurgery gives you a cleaner field to work in. The Sealigrate IS007 delivers 350W COAG — which outperforms many human-market units — so you can cut and coagulate with confidence, even in more vascular areas.
3. Wound Management and Debridement
When managing wounds, especially those requiring surgical debridement, control is everything.
Electrosurgery lets you remove damaged tissue with minimal trauma to healthy areas. The adaptive energy delivery ensures consistent results, and with the right handpiece, you can move through even the trickiest wound cases.
4. Cystotomies and Abdominal Exploratories
Internal procedures can be time-consuming and delicate, especially when navigating around major vessels and organs.
The Sealigrate system’s ability to seal vessels up to 7mm means fewer clamps, fewer sutures, and less time under anesthesia. That kind of efficiency makes a big difference when you’re in the thick of a complex case.
5. Amputations and Orthopedic Procedures
Any surgery involving high vascularity or major vessels demands strong, reliable coagulation — and that’s where the Sealigrate flexes its power.
With high coag output and LigaSure™ compatibility, you get dependable hemostasis, fewer interruptions, and a smoother workflow overall.
For orthopedic teams looking to reduce blood loss and surgical fatigue, advanced electrosurgery is a must-have.
Equipping Your Team With The Right Tools
We all want our patients to recover smoothly and feel their best as quickly as possible — especially after something as ordinary (but necessary) as a spay or neuter.
Using electrocautery isn’t just about getting through surgery faster — it’s about creating a gentler, cleaner experience for the patient on the table.
When your tools help reduce trauma, bleeding, and complications, you’re giving your patients a better start to recovery so they can get back to the ball chasing, tail wagging, lip licking things they love most!
Starting a Veterinary Practice? What to Know About Financing Through Bank of America Practice Solutions
Vet Startup Loans: Why Choose Bank of America?
Opening a veterinary hospital is more than a business decision — it’s a personal milestone. It’s the moment your years of education, clinical experience, and patient care come together under your roof.
But if you're like most veterinarians, you’re probably wondering… “how can I pull this off?”
Bank of America’s Practice Solutions program is one of the most trusted veterinary financing options in the U.S., and for good reason.
It’s tailored specifically for veterinarians looking to start, buy, or grow their practices — and it’s designed to make the process feel less overwhelming.
Whether you're still dreaming or you’re knee-deep in planning, we’re here to walk you through some key insights about using Bank of America veterinary loans to launch your practice.
Why Choose Bank of America for Veterinary Practice Loans?
If you’re exploring how to finance a veterinary startup, you’ll find that Bank of America has a long-standing reputation in the veterinary community. Their Practice Solutions program offers:
Veterinary-specific loan packages
Dedicated healthcare lending specialists
100% financing for startups
Guidance from pre-approval to post-opening
Unlike general business loans, this program is built around the financial needs of medical professionals — including extended loan terms and the ability to finance your entire startup, from real estate to x-ray machines and exam tables.
What do veterinarians appreciate most? They won’t ask you to explain what a wet table is, or why you’re budgeting for X-ray software. They've seen it all before, and they’re prepared to support you through every step.
What Can a Veterinary Startup Loan Cover?
Veterinarians often assume they'll need to piece together funding from different sources — one loan for construction, another for equipment, and so on.
But with Bank of America Practice Solutions, a single loan can often cover everything you need to open your doors.
Here’s what their startup loans typically include:
Leasehold improvements and construction build-outs
Medical and diagnostic equipment
Surgical and dental suites
Practice management software and IT setup
Furniture and office furnishings
Inventory and pharmaceutical supplies
Signage and marketing costs
Working capital to cover the first few months of operations
That last one is key. Many lenders don’t account for the “ramp-up” period — but Bank of America includes working capital in the loan structure so you can pay staff, order supplies, and cover operational costs while you’re still building your client base.
How Do Payments Work? (And Can You Pay Off Early?)
Let’s talk about repayment — because you’re probably wondering what this means for your monthly cash flow.
Veterinary practice loans from Bank of America typically come with:
Flexible loan terms, often 10–15 years
Fixed or variable interest rate options
No prepayment penalties, meaning you can pay it off early if your practice does well
Monthly payments that include both principal and interest
The no-prepayment-penalty feature is a big deal. It gives you peace of mind knowing you can pay extra toward your loan if you start turning a substantial profit — without being penalized for your success.
And don’t forget: the longer loan term isn’t just about spreading out debt — it helps keep monthly payments manageable, especially during those early months when you're still gaining momentum.
Real-World Questions Veterinarians Ask
Let’s go beyond the brochures for a moment. Here are some honest, practical questions veterinarians often ask during the startup process, and how the Bank of America Practice Solutions program addresses them:
“Do I need a down payment?”
In many cases, no. Their 100% financing means you may not need to put any money down — a massive relief if you’re still paying off student loans or don’t have deep savings.
“Will they finance a mobile practice or urgent care model?”
Yes — the program isn’t limited to brick-and-mortar general practices. Whether you're planning a mobile unit, urgent care, specialty clinic, or boutique wellness practice, their veterinary lending team can help structure a loan that fits your model.
“How long does the loan process take?”
It depends on how far along your planning is. If you already have your business plan and location in mind, things can move quickly. But it’s best to start conversations early so the team can guide you through site selection, budgeting, and buildout costs.
“What if I’ve never run a business before?”
You’re not alone! Most veterinarians don’t have an MBA. One of the perks of the Practice Solutions program is that it connects you with experienced specialists and resources to help with planning, budgeting, and operational setup. You don’t need to have all the answers — just the passion and vision.
A Financing Partner
Starting a veterinary hospital isn’t just about square footage and surgical lights — it’s about building a space where your team can thrive, your patients are cared for, and your career takes a new leap forward.
Bank of America’s Practice Solutions is a financing partnership designed with veterinarians in mind. With industry-specific guidance, tailored repayment terms, and flexible early payoff options, it’s one of the most trusted resources for veterinarians ready to leap.
You’ve cared for other people’s practices — now it’s time to build your own!
Smarter Surgery Starts Here: Inside the Sealigrate IS007 Electrosurgical System
If you’ve been relying on basic cautery tools or the old scalpel-and-sutures routine for soft tissue surgeries, you’re not alone. Many veterinary clinics are still working with limited surgical equipment — not because they’re behind, but because it’s hard to know which tools are worth the investment.
Veterinary surgery has seen some significant advancements in recent years—both in techniques and in the tools that make those techniques more effective and safer for patients.
The Sealigrate IS007 All-in-One Veterinary Electrosurgical System is one of the most comprehensive and versatile cautery systems— designed specifically for veterinary use. It combines multiple functions into a compact, easy-to-use unit that supports a wide range of procedures.
Let’s take a look at why more veterinarians are making the switch — and what it could mean for your workflow, your patients, and your surgical outcomes.
What Makes the Sealigrate IS007 Stand Out?
To start, its tissue-adaptive technology automatically fine-tunes energy levels as you work, giving you optimal cutting, coagulation, and vessel sealing without constantly stopping to adjust settings.
It delivers an impressive 350W of coagulation power — which is more than some of the human surgical units on the market — so you get quicker, cleaner results with less thermal spread.
It also reliably seals vessels up to 7mm, helping you reduce blood loss and shorten surgery times.
What’s more, it’s LigaSure compatible, meaning you can use both reusable and disposable handpieces and save big on consumables. With a compact, portable frame and up to 80 customizable presets, it’s built to fit into your workflow.
Here are a few more features that make the Sealigrate IS007 the ideal surgical suite companion:
All-in-One Capability
This system integrates cutting, coagulation, and advanced vessel sealing into a single compact device. By combining multiple surgical functions, it helps streamline your setup, save space, and minimize the need for additional equipment during procedures.
Versatile Electrosurgical Modes
It includes monopolar, bipolar, and vessel sealing modes, allowing veterinarians to adapt the system to various soft tissue procedures with ease, from spays and neuters to mass removals, biopsies, and more.
Multiple Activation Options
Surgeons can choose to use either hand or footswitch activation, depending on their preference and the nature of the procedure. This flexibility gives you ample surgical control.
Instrument Compatibility
It’s designed to work with most standard monopolar and bipolar instruments, so there’s no need to invest in proprietary handpieces or accessories—keeping long-term costs lower.
Clinical Benefits for Your Practice
This isn’t just fancy features- the Sealigrate IS007 was designed with busy veterinary teams in mind.
It’s quick to set up, simple to operate, and easy to maintain.
It’s durable, ready to handle day-to-day use without constant recalibration.
It helps free up time and energy so your team can focus on what matters.
And that’s just the basics. Let’s look a little closer…
Improved Hemostasis and Visibility: It reduces bleeding during procedures, allowing clearer surgical fields and more precise work (which is particularly helpful during tumor removals or delicate soft tissue work).
Reduced Surgical Time: Sealing and cutting tissue more efficiently can help shorten the time patients spend under anesthesia (leading to safer recoveries).
Minimized Tissue Trauma: Its vessel sealing technology allows for cleaner incisions, leading to less post-op discomfort and faster healing.
Built with the Veterinary Clinic in Mind
The Sealigrate IS007 is designed for the practical realities of a busy veterinary hospital:
Compact and Space-Efficient: With its small footprint, it fits easily into most surgery suites, making it ideal for both small practices and larger clinics with high case volume.
User-Friendly: Clear labeling, simple controls, and intuitive setup make the system easy for veterinary teams to learn and operate—even on a tight schedule.
Durability: Engineered for frequent use, it’s built to withstand the demands of daily surgery.
A Practical Upgrade for Your Veterinary Surgical Suite
Veterinarians are constantly balancing patient care, operational efficiency, and cost management. Investing in a high-quality electrosurgical unit can support all three.
Whether you’re replacing outdated cautery tools or upgrading your surgical capabilities for more advanced procedures, this unit offers functionality, reliability, and adaptability. Plus, it’s one of those tools that starts paying off the moment you plug it in.
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your surgical setup, this might just be your sign!