3 Signs of Compassion Fatigue in Veterinary Medicine

““Discover three signs of compassion fatigue in veterinary medicine. Learn to recognize physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms like exhaustion, anxiety, and withdrawal. Awareness and early intervention are critical. Explore resources from AVMA and NOMV to support well-being.””

As Veterinary caregivers, we’re deeply motivated to serve our patients and deliver the best possible care. 

We’re no strangers to the phrase “we don’t deserve pets.” Their unwavering love and loyalty are gifts we’re so fortunate to experience.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) defines the human-animal bond as “a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and the animals that are influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both.”

This bond brings joy, warmth, and laughter to the workday, and being surrounded by like-minded, compassionate coworkers makes the work environment that much brighter.

But, with the stress of being understaffed, working long hours, and repeated exposure to trauma and grief…

…it’s easy for a bright environment to feel dark.

All too often, veterinary teams struggle with feeling overworked.

Pair that with bearing witness to abuse, neglect, and euthanasia… It’s easy to see why compassion fatigue is so common among our peers.

Compassion Fatigue is a result of extreme exhaustion unique to compassionate caregivers regularly exposed to loss or trauma.

There’s a growing awareness that caregivers of all kinds should make sure they make time to care for themselves.

Why?

It’s the same reason you’re told on a flight to put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others.

At the risk of sounding cliche, the phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup” couldn’t be more accurate.

Like our feline patients, veterinary teams often hide signs of being overwhelmed. They often appear stoic, professional, and productive, which can make recognizing signs of compassion fatigue difficult.

The more we know about compassion fatigue, the better we can identify the symptoms…

…and step in to support our peers when they need us most.

Let’s take a moment to unpack three common signs of compassion fatigue to be on the lookout for: 

#1:  Physical signs

Compassion fatigue might physically present itself.

Let’s take Dr. Isaacs, for example.

Since her associate is on maternity leave, she’s trying to maintain 3x of her normal caseload, and this week, there’s been an unusual amount of euthanasia on the schedule.

You notice she’s been wearing the same scrubs for the past three days and hasn’t taken her usual lunch or snack breaks.

You overhear a client comment on her tired appearance during their pet’s physical exam. Dr. Isaacs casually shares that she’s not been sleeping well and has had intermittent headaches.

Little red flags are going up. She’s showing common physical signs that she’s experiencing compassion fatigue including:

• Exhaustion & headaches

• Changes in sleep patterns or appetite

• Lack of self-care

• Stomachaches & digestive changes

#2: Emotional signs

It’s not uncommon for compassion fatigue to appear more emotionally.

Take Ashley, for example.

Ashley has been a Veterinary ER nurse for 6 years and is well experienced. She has a great reputation for acting quickly, calmly, and rationally during patient crises.

Lately, you’ve noticed she’s been hypervigilant about her patients and hasn’t been as social with the team. When patient outcomes aren’t successful, she becomes easily overwhelmed, emotional, and negative.

Sudden mood swings or overreacting aren’t uncommon symptoms.

You might also witness:

• Increased anxiety or sadness

• Feelings of guilt or helplessness

• Difficulty concentrating

• Hypersensitivity or insensitivity to emotional experiences

#3 Behavioral changes

For this one, let’s talk about Daniel.

Daniel has only been a receptionist for a few months but has learned the ropes quickly.

Due to a recent heat wave, the hospital has seen an influx of patients suffering from heat-related complications, many of whom have had unfortunate and unexpected goodbyes.

Although Daniel has been very friendly and easy to work with up to this point, you notice his patience threshold decreasing. He often disappears to the breakroom for extended periods and has been very quiet during his shifts.

Since his time in practice has been so limited, it might surprise you to learn that he’s struggling with compassion fatigue.

He’s demonstrating common signs like:

• Isolation or withdrawal

• Irritability

• Lower tolerance to frustration

Compassion fatigue doesn’t have boundaries

It doesn’t discriminate against your time or experience in practice or the role you serve at the hospital.

If you’re experiencing some of the symptoms listed above, know you’re not alone. Do your best to be open and transparent with your team about your feelings and what you might need to recover.

As a leadership team, we want to foster a culture that supports the mental and emotional well-being of our employees.

At the very least, we want to ensure that our team is aware of and has access to resources that could significantly impact their well-being.

Wellbeing Resources Geared Toward the Veterinary Community

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) hosts a number of CE-accredited trainings and webinars  and offers a free wellbeing assessment along with some helpful self-care tools   

Not One More Vet (NOMV) is an organization that works tirelessly to support the well-being of the veterinary community

Suicide and Crisis prevention Hotline offers free, confidential support for those in distress

Don’t allow yourself or your team to suffer alone. Don’t wait. Reach out. Speak up.  

Elevating Veterinary Patient Care Protocols with ICU Cages

Picture this… Let’s call it scenario 1:

Rocco, a canine patient you’ve come to know and love, comes in for a routine dental.

After completing a pre-anesthetic exam and reviewing his recent lab work, Rocco was led to the treatment area for anesthetic induction and his dental procedure.  

His dental visit was thankfully uneventful. He had a basic cleaning and one minor extraction. He’s ready to move on to recovery!

As Rocco wakes up from anesthesia, he’s thermogenic (his body temperature is below average) and tachycardic (his heart rate is severely elevated).

As veterinary nurses attempt to intervene, Rocco’s anxiety increases, and he begins thrashing and vocalizing. Through the kennel door, one of the nurses notices the color of his tongue slowly change from bright pink to a light pale purple, and they attempt to administer oxygen.

Rocco’s responding fearfully and won’t allow the team to come close. The veterinarian, who’s already started seeing afternoon appointments, is pulled from a room to assist.

Let’s pause here…

A few red flags are going up:

1.       The patient is overly stressed and because of his fearful response, intervention, and treatment are delayed

2.       The Veterinarian is pulled away from appointments, causing delays for other patients needing care

3.       Clients are getting understandably upset due to extended wait times

The snowball effect continues…

So, let’s switch gears and take a look at scenario 2:

Rocco, who you know and love, comes in for his routine dental as scheduled.

The pre-anesthetic exam and labs look good – so he’s off to his procedure.

The procedure goes as planned. A simple cleaning and a single extraction. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Rocco has been moved to the recovery area, where a temperature-controlled ICU cage awaits him. The warm environment helps slowly bring his body temperature back to normal.

The soft-close plastic doors reduce the unfamiliar noises of the hospital, helping keep Rocco’s anxiety at bay. With clear visibility, his veterinary team can keep close tabs on his progress.

After his swallow reflex returns and he’s safely extubated, the treatment technician uses the external control panel to turn on some supplemental oxygen for Rocco as he recovers.

After a short time, Rocco’s vitals are in a healthy range; he’s bright, alert, and ready to head home!

Although your hospital may not offer emergency or ICU services…

ICU cages still bring incredible value to patient care and staff monitoring in general practice.

They increase hospital workflow and efficiency by helping to reduce complications, minimizing unnecessary staff attention, and minimizing disruptions to the daily schedule.  

In our last scenario, having the ICU cages as part of their recovery protocol helped:

·         Improve patient recovery

·         Reduce appointment interruptions

·         Ease observation and monitoring

As time passes, more veterinary practices are investing in ICU cages to enhance their patient care protocols and elevate their standard of care.

Now more than ever, our furry friends are considered family members more than they are “house pets.”

The love and companionship they bring to our lives are unmatched, and as their veterinary care team, we have the exciting opportunity to provide a comfortable and safe experience.

Learn More about ICU cages - https://newvetequipment.com/intensive-care-unit

Maximizing Veterinary Patient Recovery with ICU Cages

Processes and Procedures: Achieving Optimal Outcomes for ICU Patients

In our ICU units, the primary objective is clear: to ensure our patients survive, recover, and return to their owners in the best possible health.

Given the critical nature of their conditions, this goal is often challenging, but by adopting strategic approaches and effective management techniques, we can significantly optimize patient outcomes.

Collaboration among veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and pet owners is essential to this process.

Establishing Objectives

The initial step is to define the desired outcomes and set clear expectations for all parties involved.

This may include goals such as reducing patient mortality rates, accelerating mobility post-surgery, or enhancing data recording efficiency.

These professional aims will differ from the clients' priorities, which typically focus on the pet's quality of life.

Early in the case, it's crucial to engage with pet owners to understand their primary concerns and objectives.

Whether their goal is to get their dog back to running long distances, encourage their cat to eat again, or provide palliative care for a pet in its final days, understanding these aims is the first step toward achieving them.

Staffing Appropriately in Veterinary ICUs

Effective management of an ICU hinges on efficiency, both among staff and within care procedures. Ensuring that an ICU is appropriately staffed is crucial.

Each team member should understand their role and perform their duties to the best of their abilities. Additionally, staff should be ready to assist colleagues when needed and prioritize their own physical and mental well-being.

Research in human medicine has demonstrated that nurses significantly impact patient outcomes and survival rates in hospitals. We can draw a parallel in veterinary medicine, recognizing that the expertise and efficiency of veterinary technicians are vital to the success of any shift.

A 2020 study reinforced this, examining errors and patient outcomes in three U.S. veterinary hospitals. It found that variations in veterinary technician staffing levels and experience directly influenced the occurrence of errors.

This underscores the importance of appropriate staffing in maintaining high standards of care and improving patient outcomes in veterinary ICUs.

Communicating Effectively in a Veterinary ICU

Effective communication is crucial in any team environment, but it is especially vital in a busy, fast-paced, and stressful ICU setting.

ICU patients often have complex, multi-factorial needs, making thorough and precise communication essential.

This involves not only verbal communication, such as running 'rounds' at the start of each shift, but also ensuring that paperwork—including hospital charts, medication charts, and owner consent forms—is meticulously maintained.

Small details, like checking off when a medication has been administered or highlighting a known allergy, can significantly impact patient care.

Ensuring legible handwriting and clearly labeling any symbols used can enhance accuracy. Assigning one or two people to oversee each case can help minimize discrepancies caused by communication errors.

Rounds are beneficial for keeping the entire team updated on the critical aspects of each case. However, detailed handovers should ideally occur directly between team members responsible for the patient to avoid potential miscommunication.

Learning from mistakes

Veterinary medicine is a volatile business and despite everyone’s best efforts, things can and will go wrong.

In order for the system to continue to function positively, it is vital that mistakes are not ignored or shrugged off – this does absolutely not mean that a blame culture should be encouraged, but means that any mistakes, or even near-misses, should be documented and learned from in order to ensure they don’t happen again³.

It is worth noting that these shouldn’t be limited to drastic events such as the death of a patient, but could be as simple as a set of blood results going missing.

An anonymous system is one common way to achieve this, by which the information is fed back to senior staff who then can relay it and any solutions to the team, with or without a staff meeting.

If members of staff have been involved in a difficult case or one with a negative outcome, they should also be encouraged to attend ‘debrief’ meetings in order to process the situation, and to help support their mental health.

This is much more commonly done in human medicine but should also be promoted within the veterinary field.

Having checklists and SOPs in place for situations such as drawing up drugs or dispensing medications, which center around one person ‘doing’ and another person ‘checking’ can help to reduce errors in dosing.

It is vital that training is also kept up to date and any new members of staff are trained in these protocols as soon as possible. 

Auditing

Carrying out clinical audits can help bring to light any potential issues and areas in which patient care or outcomes could be compromised.

An example of a clinical audit could be evaluating ICU patient temperatures after they have undergone an operation, to ensure they are being managed appropriately and are consistently within expected limits. I

f this audit was to reveal that maybe temperatures in the post-operative period are below the recommended range, it should prompt changes to be made to improve the situation, such as implementing the use of active or passive warming devices.

However, probably the most important part of this process is to re-audit after a certain period of time, to ensure improvements have taken place.

One model that summarizes this is the PDSA model – Plan, Do, Study, Act⁴. 

• Plan to carry out a change 

• Do carry out a change

• Study the results of carrying out the change

• Act to make any further adjustments

Post-event audits can tie in nicely with evaluating mistakes or near-misses in the practice and provide a structure to learn from. But again, there should never be any blame placed on any individual or group of individuals. 

Looking at the bigger picture

Veterinary medicine is constantly evolving, and we are discovering new and exciting methods to aid in our diagnostics and treatment of our veterinary patients.

However, sometimes, we need to take a step back and look at how getting the basics right can form a stable foundation on which to build a patient’s recovery.

Although surgery and drug therapy will make up a large proportion of the treatment an animal may receive, they are not the only things we have in our armoury to improve outcomes. 

Nutrition: The Foundation of Your Pet's Recovery

Proper nutrition is essential for the recovery of your pet, whether a cat or dog. Without appropriate and sometimes specialized nutritional therapy, other medical or surgical treatments may not reach their full potential.

The Benefits of Complementary Therapies

In addition to nutrition, complementary therapies like physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, laser therapy, and acupuncture have shown significant benefits for your pet's recovery. These therapies are effective not only for mobility issues but also for a range of other conditions.

Adopting a Multi-Modal Approach

Utilizing a multi-modal approach in treatment increases the chances of achieving our primary goal: ensuring that the pet survives, recovers, and returns to you in the best possible health.

Maximizing ICU Potential

The ICU is a complex environment but also one that offers immense opportunities. By leveraging the full capabilities of veterinary staff and medicine, we can transform dire situations into positive outcomes for your beloved cat or dog.

References

1. Curtin LL. An integrated analysis of nurse staffing and related variables: effects on patient outcomes. Online J Issues Nurs. 2003;8(3):5. PMID: 14656199.

2. Hayes GM, Bersenas AM, Mathews K, Lane WG, LaLonde-Paul DF, Steele A, Avellaneda A. A multicenter observational study investigating care errors, staffing levels, and workload in small animal intensive care units. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2020 Sep;30(5):517-524. doi: 10.1111/vec.12991. Epub 2020 Sep 12. PMID: 32918379.

3. Quality improvement for patient safety and a better practice culture; Pam Mosedale and Mark Turner; The Veterinary Nurse 2022 13:4, 156-161 

4. https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/practice-management/measuring-patient-outcomes/

3 Reasons Why ICU Cages are Critical to Veterinary Recovery

Unsurprisingly, ICU (intensive care unit) cages have gained popularity in veterinary hospitals and are slowly being considered a standard part of inpatient care.  

The rate of pet ownership continues to experience steady growth, resulting in a rising demand for veterinary care and services.

Veterinary ICUs, specialty & emergency hospitals, and general practices have expanded hospital treatment areas to accommodate ICU cages and support the incoming demand.

Market research indicates that ICU cage popularity will continue to grow due to their crucial role in providing intensive care to ill, injured, or post-operative patients.

With a controlled environment for monitoring and supportive care, ICU cages are the ideal stress-free environment for patients to recover comfortably.

Let’s take a look at three main reasons ICU cages are so critical to veterinary recovery.

#1 Convenient Patient Monitoring and Supportive Care for Inpatients

• There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to monitoring and supportive care, and it’s safe to say you can never have too much.

• Age, weight, disease process, pain profile, and other factors can vary the level of supportive care our patients need.

• To be cautious, monitoring should continue even after the patient is considered " normal.”

  ICU Cages offer:

• Soft, close, clear plastic doors for easy visual observation

• 3-1 lighting systems with adjustable brightness for exams, observation, and therapy

• Silent air systems for quiet oxygen therapy

• Built-in IV support and Nebulizer

#2 Comfortable Anesthetic Recovery

Since post-anesthetic recovery isn’t always straightforward, diligent monitoring can reduce the risk of complications.

Anesthesia (and surgical procedures) can profoundly impact a patient’s thermoregulatory system. Small changes in a patient’s body temperature can encourage recovery or harm cellular and tissue function.

Hypothermia following an anesthetic procedure is one of the most common complications found in canines and felines.

ICU cages use an active warming approach in a temperature-controlled environment, which reduces the risk of hypothermia and helps to increase recovery times.

#3: Providing the Best Standard of Care

Now more than ever, pet parents are willing to seek advanced diagnostic and treatment options for the best possible care.

With a growing awareness of advanced veterinary medicine, please ensure your practice has the best supportive equipment for your incoming patients.  

Your patients and clients deserve the peace of mind of knowing your practice offers housing geared toward safety and comfort.

This will allow your team to provide hassle-free observation and monitoring for each patient. 

Learn More - Veterinary ICU Standard Of Care - https://newvetequipment.com/blog/veterinary-icu-standard-of-care

Learn More - What Does An ICU Cage Unit Do For A Critical Pet Patient? https://newvetequipment.com/blog/what-does-an-icu-cage-unit-do-for-a-critical-pet-patient

Equipping a 21st century veterinary hospital with ICU

““Equip your veterinary clinic’s ICU with the latest in critical care technology. Our guide covers essential ICU equipment, from cutting-edge ICU cages and syringe pumps to multiparameter units and defibrillators. Ensure optimal care for your sickest patients with our top recommendations.””

ICU for the veterinary clinic

The intensive care unit (ICU), or critical care unit, is where some of our sickest patients end up spending much of their time.

With that in mind, it is important to ensure that your practice is equipped with appropriate equipment to help provide the best care for patients.

Whether you're starting from scratch or revamping an existing ICU, it's important to take advantage of everything on your shopping list. We have put together some 'must-haves' for bringing your ICU into the 21st century.

ICU cages

Cutting-edge care should also consider patient comfort, where ICU cages come in.

ICU cages provide a safe and sterile environment. These units can be carefully controlled to provide the right temperature and oxygen concentration for a whole array of patients and conditions, including:

• Newborns

• Animals with infectious diseases 

• Postoperative patients 

• Critical care cases

• Cardiopulmonary diseases 

• Elderly patient care 

A good unit also features easily adjustable lighting for patient monitoring and therapy.

Thanks to features like soft-close, clear plastic doors, these cages should allow patients to be safely monitored while reducing disruption. Built-in IV support, nebulization facilities, and silent air systems all help elevate the care of these patients further. 

Syringe pumps (syringe infusion drivers)

In addition to drip pumps (used for careful intravenous fluid administration), syringe pumps should also be featured in your ICU.

These can help ensure that constant-rate infusion medications are safely delivered, and they can also be used for intermittent dosing regimens. This all helps ensure accurate medication delivery.

A Crash Cart

A well-organized crash cart is essential for any ICU.

It should contain emergency medications such as epinephrine, naloxone, atropine, and dexamethasone, as well as key pieces of equipment such as a defibrillator and multiparameter unit (or individual monitors like a pulse oximeter and electrocardiograph).

At a minimum, it should also be stocked with intravenous catheters, giving sets, intravenous fluids, and tape. Your crash cart must be checked daily to ascertain whether anything needs replenishing. 

Defibrillator

While rigorous staff training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is essential for any well-run ICU, a defibrillator could help significantly in critical cases.

Defibrillators work by delivering an electric shock to the heart to “break” the arrhythmogenic cycle in cases of VF (ventricular fibrillation) or VTac (ventricular tachycardia).

Defibrillators have been shown to increase the probability of ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) in crashed patients.

They could make all the difference when managing the resuscitation of a patient with a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia.

Multiparameter units 

Multiparameter units can provide a wide range of information about your patient.

These units can observe vital signs like blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and electrocardiograms (ECGs). This information is essential for animals under anesthesia, during the postoperative period who are critically ill. 

Ultrasound machine

Ultrasound machines can provide a lot of information about the emergency patient. A point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be done at the patient's cage or as part of their initial emergency triage.

AFAST and TFAST (abdominal and thoracic-focused assessment with sonography for trauma, triage, and tracking) will benefit various cases.

This includes animals that present collapsed, with respiratory distress or with abdominal pain, or those that have experienced trauma.

Due to the valuable information that can be gleaned from these examinations, an ultrasound machine should be considered an essential kit in your ICU.

Mechanical Ventilators

Mechanical ventilation may be needed in highly sick cases.

These machines are vital to helping severely hypoxemic patients (PaO2 <60mmHg) despite receiving oxygen therapy, hypercapnic (PaCO2 >60mmHg), or at risk of impending respiratory failure.

Various machines exist, from essential ‘anesthesia’ ventilators to complicated human care unit ventilators. Your ICU would benefit from one of these machines to care for animals in extreme respiratory distress, which could include cases such as –

• Aspiration pneumonia

• Severe heartworm cases

• Congestive heart failure

• Intoxications

• Trauma cases

• Intracranial disease

• Suction machine

A suction machine is well worth having on standby in your ICU to help clear airways in cases of respiratory distress and to manage patients with temporary tracheostomy tubes. It also helps to improve the field of vision during a severe hemorrhage.

Glucometers 

Don’t overlook the basic glucometer!

Not only are these essential for helping to monitor your diabetics, but they provide crucial information for many of your other patients, too. Glucose monitoring in neonates is essential, as well as helping you to manage your toxicity patients (e.g. xylitol poisoning), animals with suspected insulinomas and those with malnutrition. 

Good lighting

Good lighting is essential when examining and stabilizing critically ill patients.

LED exam lights provide longevity, low heat emission, and high performance. The right light will be easy to clean and adjustable and should be designed to reduce shadows on the examination area.

Whether you go ceiling-mounted, wall-mounted, or floor-standing, the right light will make all the difference for your ICU.

Final thoughts

Hopefully, our helpful guide has helped you focus on your veterinary hospital's needs.

If you require help with some of the items on your shopping list, don’t hesitate to contact us!

We can provide an array of equipment, including intensive care unit cages, veterinary monitoring equipment, LED lighting, ultrasound machines, and more. 

Caring for Critically Ill Pets in the ICU: Cage Guidelines

Understanding Critical Care

What comes to mind when you hear “critical care unit”? Trauma? Life-threatening illness? Life-support?

Just as we have emergency and critical care services for people, the same applies to our pet patients.

…And just as we’d expect exceptional care for our loved ones, we take the same approach for our veterinary patients.

Veterinary ICUs (intensive care units, also known as critical care units) are caring and compassionate environments specifically for patients suffering from injury, illness, or disease.

They offer lifesaving care services to high-risk patients who often experience better outcomes thanks to advanced care equipment and team training.

ICU Standard of Care

We can all agree that patients deserve the highest quality of care, but how can we be sure we’re delivering? By having a caring staff? Prompt medical intervention?

Standard of care means having a set of guidelines that define the appropriate treatment for a particular health problem.

What enhances a hospital's standard of care is having caring and knowledgeable staff who are dedicated to patient care and increasing their odds of recovery.  

It can also mean having a diverse suite of diagnostic and care equipment ready for treatment intervention, and comfortable monitoring.

What if Our Practice Doesn’t Have a Dedicated ICU Department?

Not every practice is equipped to handle critical cases as well as a dedicated veterinary ICU, but every hospital has the opportunity to provide the best standard of care for their patients.

Standard of care starts with 2 steps.

• Step 1: A knowledgeable veterinary medical team

• Step 2: Having the right equipment at our fingertips for proper care

Let’s start with ICU cages for example…

ICU cages have gained popularity in hospitals with services ranging from emergency & critical care to specialty and general medicine.  

Which makes sense when you think about it…

Think about the number of patients you’ve seen recently that would benefit from anesthesia recovery in a quiet and well oxygenated space.

Or, what about the c-section puppies who need a temperature controlled, safe space to nest while their momma recovers.

Whether you have a patient in need of cardiopulmonary disease management, or just want a calm space for an anxious patient to decompress after diagnostics, an ICU cage offers features for a safe, comfortable stay.

Not all ICU cages are created equally, here’s some things to look for…

Space flexibility

Your hospital likely treats patients of varying shapes and sizes. Finding an ICU unit with a removable divider lets you treat two patients side by side, or provide individualized care.

o Finding open real estate for new equipment isn’t easy. Investing in an durable Veterinary ICU unit with an expandable design allows you to add a second story to provide quality care to more patients.

 Streamlined control panel

 Ensure you can easily customize and monitor temperature and oxygen levels for tailored patient care.

Patient treatment & monitoring

• Look for a veterinary ICU unit with a built-in medical nebulizer & IV support.

• Avoid ICU units that don’t offer silent air systems and soft-close plastic doors.

• Some ICU units offer 3-in-1 lighting systems with adjustable brightness and timing functions. White light can be used for clear examinations, warm light for monitoring and observation, and blue light for therapy.

• Disease control can’t be overstressed. Look for units that use animal-friendly PHI (photo-hydro-ionization) technology for real-time disinfection and deodorizing.

Although specific equipment may not fall under a typical definition of a “standard” of care, your hospital’s standard is what you make of it.

Investing in your team and the tools available to them will undoubtedly improve your standards and can increase the hospital's income. 

Learn More - What Does An ICU Cage Unit Do For A Critical Pet Patient? - https://newvetequipment.com/blog/what-does-an-icu-cage-unit-do-for-a-critical-pet-patient

What is an Overexposed X-Ray and What do they Look Like?

With almost all types of veterinary diagnostic imagery, the effort is in the prep work!

That means getting the correct measurements, exposure settings, and positioning off the bat leads to the best results.

In a previous blog, we discussed why we get underexposed X-rays and how to identify them.

However, it’s easy to overcompensate when adjusting exposure settings and get the opposite effect: overexposed X-rays.

With proper knowledge, practice, and technique, getting a well-balanced exposure rate is simple!

What is an Overexposed X-Ray?

Overexposed X-rays are a result of X-ray settings being too high (using an increased kVp and mAs). This causes too much energy build up in the primary beam.

With excessive energy build-up, the patient absorbs little energy, and an overdose of radiation is absorbed into the detector. A detector starts white and darkens as it’s met with radiation.

As a result, the image will be overexposed (or too dark) to be considered diagnostic. The X-rays are essentially “burning” the plate, causing significant internal structures and tissues to appear less visible.

As you can imagine, this inhibits a clear interpretation by the Veterinarian or Veterinary Specialist and delays a proper diagnosis and treatment.

How Will I Know the X-Ray is Overexposed?

It’s not hard to identify veterinary X-rays that have been overexposed.

Here are a few characteristics that will stand out:

• · Image has a darkened appearance

• · Poor visibility of internal structures

• · Blur or distortion

• · Scatter Radiation (reduces image contrast and clarity as a result of the x-ray changing direction –“scattering” - when it meets the patient)

To be appropriately interpreted by a Veterinarian or Veterinary Specialist, you’ll likely need a retake to visualize lesions, growths, or other abnormalities clearly.

Why is My X-ray overexposed?

Capturing an overexposed image is frustrating. Now that we’re pretty clear on what they look like, let’s talk about what may have caused it:

• · Incorrect kVp or mAs settings (if settings appear correct, consider re-measuring to confirm measurements were accurate)

• · Forgetting to move the x-ray tube head to the correct position (if it’s too close to the cassette, it’s easy to cause overexposure)

• · Possible technical error

If I Need a Retake, How Can I Avoid Another Overexposed X-Ray?

Here are a few easy-to-follow tips to avoid overexposed X-rays with your next image:

1. Correctly measure the anatomical part of the patient you’ll be radiographing using a set of calipers (remember, it’s best to measure in the position they’ll be in for the image)

2. Confirm X-ray settings using your veterinary X-ray technique chart

3. Ensure the x-ray tube head is in the correct position (raised if the plate is on the tabletop or lowered if it’s in the bucky tray)

4. Don’t forget to collimate (helps to reduce scatter radiation for a better image quality)

For best results, use computed radiography software tools to reduce artifacts, distortion, and scatter radiation (not to mention hassle-free transfers of DICOM or JPEG images for diagnostic review).

The Quick Take Away

If we think of X-ray exposure like a toaster, when the toaster produces too much energy, we’re left with toast that’s burnt to a crisp.

Just as we’d need to decrease the time on our toaster for a better breakfast, the x-ray settings will need to be reduced on the machine for a balanced diagnostic image.

We want to aim for images that have:

· Sharpness (in focus, clear, and distinct)

· Visual characteristics of density and contrast (adequate representation of tissue density)

· Clear visualization of internal structures

· No distortion or artifacts (no patient motion, technical errors, unnecessary objects, etc.)

Avoid the hassle of retakes by putting effort into the prep work—accurate measuring, exposure settings, and positioning—and getting back to what truly matters to you and your patients. 

Why We Get Underexposed X-rays and How to Identify One

Why are Clear Veterinary Diagnostic Images So Important?

Proper diagnostic imagery is the bedrock of developing lifesaving treatment protocols for our patients.

Beyond diagnosis, x-rays enable Veterinary professionals to monitor the effectiveness of ongoing treatment, making adjustments based on the patient’s response (which can affect the patient’s long-term prognosis).

A poor-quality image can snowball into a delayed diagnosis, postpone treatment plans, and defer patient care.  

For this reason, it’s important to identify the characteristics of a diagnostically valuable x-ray.

Various factors contribute to an image’s ability to be considered diagnostically worthy. To get started, look at one of the most common causes of retakes: underexposed X-rays.

What Makes Up a Quality Veterinary Diagnostic Image?

Before we dive into what characteristics to look for in an underexposed image, let’s first talk about qualities that make up an image with a balanced exposure rate.

 An image with adequate quality will display:

• Sharpness (the image is in focus, clear, and distinct)

• Visual characteristics of density and contrast (adequate representation of tissue density)

• Clear visualization of internal structures

• No distortion or artifacts (no patient motion, technical errors, unnecessary objects, etc.)

Proper knowledge and use of a veterinary X-ray technique chart enables consistent exposure rates and image quality.

What is an Underexposed Veterinary X-Ray?

Underexposed X-rays result from X-ray settings being set too low.

When x-ray settings are too low, insufficient energy builds up in the primary beam. With too little energy meeting the X-ray detector (the tool that captures the image, also known as a cassette), the image appears radiopaque (meaning white to light gray).

A few other characteristics you’ll notice in underexposed X-rays are:

• Lack of density and contrast (making the image appear “cloudy)

• Poor visibility of internal structures

• Blur or distortion

• Scatter Radiation (reduces image contrast and clarity as a result of the x-ray changing direction –“scattering” - when it meets the patient)

The result of these characteristics will likely require a retake (increasing radiation exposure to both the patient and those capturing the image).

It’s no secret that X-ray retakes are less than ideal. Not only do they increase exposure risks, but they also decrease productivity and hospital efficiency and delay diagnostic review and treatment planning.

When an X-ray image lacks proper exposure, it is considered underexposed and less diagnostically valuable (or not at all).

How to Avoid an Underexposed Veterinary X-Ray

Here are a few easy-to-follow tips to avoid underexposed X-rays with your next patient:

1.       Correctly measure the anatomical part of the patient you’ll be radiographing using a set of calipers (for best results, measure in the position they’ll be in for the image. For example, lateral recumbency)

2.       Using the measurement, refer to your veterinary x-ray technique chart for correct kVp and mAs settings

3.       Ensure the x-ray tube head is in the correct position (raised if the cassette is on the tabletop or lowered if it’s in the bucky tray)

4.       Use the collimator on the veterinary X-ray generator to reduce unnecessary scatter radiation

Use image-enhancing algorithms and software tools offered by computed radiography to reduce artifacts, distortion, and scatter radiation for best results.

Risks of Poor Quality Veterinary Diagnostic Images

Just as a good diagnostic image can result in a successful treatment plan, a poor-quality X-ray can create barriers and delays in a confident diagnosis.

Inadequate exposure during an X-ray can lead to:

• Misdiagnosis

• Inconclusive diagnosis

• Failure to resolve discrepancies in interpretation

Something as simple as an underexposed image can lead to potentially life-threatening consequences and compromised patient care.

The Quick Take Away

Think of X-ray exposure like a toaster—if the toaster doesn’t produce enough energy, when it’s finished, you’re left with nothing but a warm piece of white bread.

Just as we’d need to increase the time on our toaster, the machine's X-ray settings will need to be increased for a balanced diagnostic image.

Enhancing Safety in Your Veterinary Radiology Room

Dosimeter badges and a proper X-ray or CT room shield plan are the best ways to protect your veterinary team from radiation exposure.

Want to learn more? For more information on radiation safety at your practice, check out the links below:

• Dosimeters and Their Use in a Veterinary Practice

•  Dosimeters: Why They're Important and What to Know About Dosimetry Badge Requirements  

•  Veterinary X-Ray or CT Room Shield Plan

How to use a Veterinary X-Ray Technique chart

Mastering Veterinary X-Ray Techniques

Quality diagnostics are the foundation of a confident patient diagnosis. It’s no surprise that veterinary radiography is one of the most commonly used diagnostic tools when confirming (or ruling out) a patient diagnosis.

Although the terms “x-ray” and “diagnostic image” are often used interchangeably, to rule an image as “diagnostic”, it should display quality contrast and dynamic range and avoid any artifacts.

To achieve these characteristics, let’s start with the foundation of what produces a quality diagnostic image: a technique chart.

The Purpose of a Technique Chart for Veterinary Radiography

A digital radiography technique chart is a standard guide to producing the optimum exposure for a diagnostic image.

Put another way, it’s a table of predetermined exposure settings that, when used accurately, ensure consistent image quality and patient exposure.

A reliable, user-friendly chart is important for obtaining clear diagnostic imagery with consistent radiographic density and contrast.

Why do Technique Charts for Veterinary Digital Imagery Matter?

Patient care and wellbeing is always top priority and proper treatment starts with a confident diagnosis.

Veterinarians and Veterinary Specialists rely on quality diagnostic images to rule out suspected diagnoses and confirm findings to develop an accurate treatment plan.

With many veterinary practices upgrading to quality veterinary X-ray software, there’s a little more forgiveness in under/overexposed images (with veterinary X-ray technology advancements, we can manipulate image contrast); however, not all exposure imperfections can be corrected.

Having a precise image from the start is crucial to a proper evaluation.

What Factors Make Up a Technique Chart?

Let’s break it down…

Most technique charts are segmented anatomically by thorax (chest), abdomen, spine, and extremities (arms, legs, tail) since each area varies in density. The measurement of the anatomical body part will determine the exposure settings.

What exactly are exposure settings?

Exposure settings include:

· kVp (kilovoltage peak), which controls the penetrating power of the x-ray beam (or how energetic the x-rays are)

· mAs (milliampere-seconds), which controls the number of x-rays.

Typically, the higher the mAs, the better the image quality; however, it’s important to be judicious with these settings because they can also contribute to the patient's radiation dose.

How to Use a Technique Chart for Veterinary Digital X-Rays

It all starts with accurate measurements. Begin by using a set of calipers to measure the anatomical part of the patient you’ll be radiographing.

Tip: for best results, measure the patient in the position they’ll be in during the radiograph (ex: right lateral recumbency) and measure from the point of x-ray entrance to exit.

Once you’ve got your measurement (in cm), consult the technique chart to determine the kVp and mAs to set the X-ray generator.

Depending on your veterinary hospital’s X-ray system setup, you may also need to determine whether the X-ray cassette needs to be placed on the tabletop or in the bucky tray (also known as the “film tray”).

You can place your technique chart aside and manipulate your tube head and lighting in preparation for your image.

Tip: Remember, the tube head may need to be raised if the cassette is on the table top or lowered if it’s in the Bucky tray.

Remember to place a left/right marker to indicate patient positioning (for example, if the patient is in right lateral recumbency, an “R” label should be included on the image).

Once you’ve confirmed your settings are correct, the cassette and tube head are in the correct position, the label is placed, and the patient is in position, you’re ready to capture your diagnostic image!

Making Adjustments to Exposure Factors

Sometimes adjustments are necessary for a clear visual of injuries or problem areas. Here are a few tips to consider before your retake:

• If the initial radiograph is too light, try increasing the kVP by 15% (mAs remain the same)

• If the initial radiograph is too dark, try decreasing the mAs by 15% (mAs remain the same)

Want to learn more?

For more tips on achieving quality diagnostic veterinary images, check out these articles below:

• · The impact of over-exposed X-rays in animal radiography

• · What is an under-exposed x-ray, and how do I avoid it in my animal hospital x-ray room?

Warnings!

• Don’t participate in x-ray diagnostic imaging if you’re pregnant to avoid harmful radiation to your little one.

• Avoid using old, run-down, or defective protective gear. If cracks, tears, or fraying appear, replace your veterinary radiology protective supplies.   

Additional Resources:

· Merck Veterinary Manual: Radiography of Animals

Contrast Enhances Veterinary Cone Beam CT for Pet Care

What is cone beam computed tomography?

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is an imaging technique that is widely utilized in human medicine.

Its unique characteristics make it especially suited to the fields of orthopedics, image-guided radiation therapy, interventional radiology, maxillofacial surgery, and dentistry. 

Still, its benefits are only just starting to be realized within the veterinary world. CBCT is capable of producing detailed 3D images that are proving particularly suited to a range of veterinary applications such as maxillofacial surgery (especially trauma), dentistry, imaging of exotic species such as rabbits, and for orthopedics, in particular, imaging of joints and extremities.

CBCT is a specific form of Computed Tomography (CT). As with regular CT imaging, CBCT utilizes a moving beam of X-rays that are detected by a digital X-ray detector.

A series of images are obtained from various angles around the patient which can then be used to generate a 3D image using complex algorithms via specialist computer software.

The main difference between CBCT and regular CT, as its name suggests, is that CBCT utilizes a divergent beam of X-rays which form a cone shape. This allows the X-ray beam to cover a larger area in a single pass.

Regular CT machines in contrast take “slices” through the patient using a flat fan-shaped beam of X-rays that require several passes over the area of interest to acquire sufficient information.

What are its advantages and disadvantages?

The specific characteristics of the CBCT system mean that it has the advantage of being faster than a standard CT scan and exposes the patient to a lower radiation dose due to only a single pass being required to produce an image.

In addition, CBCT machines tend to be smaller and less expensive to purchase, making them more accessible. The images produced by CBCT can also show substantially superior spatial resolution compared with regular CT.

This means that images are clearer and more detailed, allowing better visualization of small structures and abnormalities, particularly within bony tissues.

There are however some disadvantages to the technique. Due to the shape of the beam and the lack of collimation, CBCT scans tend to produce more scatter radiation.

The consequence of this is inferior contrast resolution in soft tissues - meaning that subtle lesions of soft tissues, resulting in only slight differences in contrast, are more likely to be missed.

The scatter also increases the radiation exposure in the surrounding areas and potentially to operating staff. This scatter is amplified when CBCT is used for larger body parts such as the thorax or abdomen. 

For these reasons, CBCT tends to be used for smaller body areas such as the head and bones, particularly the extremities.   It is beneficial for imaging exotics and their dentistry.

Why is it important to use contrast in CBCT?

The use of contrast is common in many imaging modalities to further enhance and widen their application.

CT typically uses non-ionic contrast media (e.g. iohexol), commonly injected intravenously but can also be injected directly into a body cavity under investigation, such as a joint space.

Contrast is used to highlight specific areas of interest, especially those that may be usually hard to see. In CBCT, iodinated contrast media that are injected intravenously will highlight vessels and soft tissue structures supplied by these.

This has the potential to increase the diagnostic utility of CBCT  massively. 

The addition of contrast studies in addition to plain CBCT scans is crucial as it will both provide additional information and overcome some of the limitations of the technique.

In orthopedic examinations, the addition of contrast by direct injection into the joint provides high-resolution images of the articular surfaces aiding the assessment of lesions found in degenerative joint disease for example.

In dentistry and maxillofacial surgery, intravenous contrast techniques that highlight blood vessels allow the surgeon to assess vascular structures better and in particular any abnormalities of the vasculature that could be potentially affected by any planned procedures.

Contrast also improves the ability of CBCT to detect and assess soft tissue lesions, for example, neoplasms presenting at an early stage.

Cone beam CT is a relatively new diagnostic modality in the veterinary world.

However, its unique properties and affordability mean that it is likely to be more widely used in the future.

Contrast techniques can greatly increase the range and accuracy of diagnostic procedures possible with these systems and these techniques will likely continue to develop, offering new and exciting opportunities.

References:

[1] Kumar M, Shanavas M, Sidappa A, Kiran M. Cone beam computed tomography - know its secrets. J Int Oral Health. 2015 Feb;7(2):64-8. PMID: 25859112; PMCID: PMC4377156.

[2] Venkatesh E, Elluru SV. Cone beam computed tomography: basics and applications in dentistry. J Istanb Univ Fac Dent. 2017 Dec 2;51(3 Suppl 1):S102-S121. doi: 10.17096/jiufd.00289. PMID: 29354314; PMCID: PMC5750833.

[3] Kim, M., Kim, B., Choi, H., Choi, Y., Oh, S. H., Kang, J., Lee, S., Kang, J., Kim, G. T., Choi, Y., & Hwang, E. (2015). Intravenous contrast media application using cone-beam computed tomography in a rabbit model. Imaging Science in Dentistry, 45(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2015.45.1.31

[4] Posadzy, M., Desimpel, J., & Vanhoenacker, F. (2018). Cone beam CT of the musculoskeletal system: clinical applications. Insights Into Imaging, 9(1), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-017-0582-1 

[5] Riggs, G. G., Cissell, D. D., Arzi, B., Hatcher, D. C., Kass, P. H., Zhen, A., & Verstraete, F. J. (2017). Clinical Application of Cone Beam Computed Tomography of the Rabbit Head: Part 2-Dental Disease. Frontiers in veterinary science, 4, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2017.00005

[6] Bregger, M. D. K., Koch, C., Zimmermann, R., Sangiorgio, D., & Schweizer-Gorgas, D. (2019). Cone-beam computed tomography of the head in standing equids. BMC Veterinary Research, 15(1), 289. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-019-2045-z

[7] Myller, K. A., Turunen, M. J., Honkanen, J. T., Väänänen, S. P., Iivarinen, J. T., Salo, J., Jurvelin, J. S., & Töyräs, J. (2017). In Vivo Contrast-Enhanced Cone Beam CT Provides Quantitative Information on Articular Cartilage and Subchondral Bone. Annals of biomedical engineering, 45(3), 811–818. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-016-1730-3

[8] Hamard M, Sans Merce M, Gorican K, Poletti PA, Neroladaki A, Boudabbous S. The Role of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography CT Extremity Arthrography in the Preoperative Assessment of Osteoarthritis. Tomography. 2023 Nov 29;9(6):2134-2147. doi: 10.3390/tomography9060167. PMID: 38133071; PMCID: PMC10747585.

Large Animal Endoscopy: The Future of Veterinary Medicine

Unlocking Veterinary Insights: The Importance of Large Animal Endoscopy

Endoscopy has been widely employed in equine veterinary hospitals for many decades, particularly in the assessment of the upper respiratory tract of competition horses.

Its use is not restricted to this area, however. As the available range of endoscopes, tools, and accessories expands, so does the availability and application of endoscopy in large animal general practice.

Alongside its use in horses, the large animal endoscope may be a valuable tool for veterinarians working with production animals (particularly those of high economic value), camelids, farm pets, and zoological species.

Reasons to Perform Large Animal Endoscopy

As with small animals, large animal endoscopy may be undertaken for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Cases benefiting from endoscopy may include those with the following:

Structural abnormalities such as strictures may be identified and possibly treated endoscopically

Conditions associated with exercise intolerance or poor athletic performance

Traumatic injuries, for example, bolusing injuries of the pharynx or esophagus in production animals, rectal tears in the horse post-examination

Ingestion or inhalation of foreign material which may be identified and retrieved endoscopically in most large animal species

Neoplastic disease visualization, biopsy, and, in some cases such as ethmoid hematomas, treatment

Parasitic disease identification and sampling

Infectious diseases such as guttural pouch mycosis or sinusitis in horses 

Inflammatory disease for example Equine Asthma (EA) where bronchoalveolar lavage samples may be valuable

Gastric ulceration especially in horses

 Large animal endoscopy may be used in the following organ systems:

• Upper respiratory tract - including nasal passages, paranasal sinuses, guttural pouches, pharynx and larynx

• Lower respiratory tract - including trachea and bronchi

• Oral/dental assessment in all species

• Upper gastrointestinal tract - including esophagus, stomach, and proximal small intestine

• Lower gastrointestinal tract including the rectum and colon 

• Urinary tract 

• Reproductive tract

Large animal endoscopes

Large animal endoscopy most often employs a flexible endoscope (either a fiberscope or video endoscope) of diameter and length appropriate for the patient and organ system under investigation. Dynamic endoscopy is also now available, using a portable, wireless, flexible endoscope to assess an animal during exercise.

Large animal endoscopes require a light source, an air pump for insufflation, irrigation, and suction, as well as a monitor to receive the image in the case of video endoscopes. Fiberscopes and rigid endoscopes may be connected via a camera system to a display monitor. 

Instrumentation for large animal endoscopy

Instruments used in large animal endoscopy may include the following, some of which are available either as single-use or reusable items:

• Biopsy forceps – with various tips to suit the tissue to be biopsied. In this case, single-use forceps may be advantageous in gaining optimum biopsy quality as the cutting edge will always be sharp.

• Grasping forceps – including rat-toothed, alligator jaws, or multi-pronged forceps

• Retrievers, snares, or baskets – for the retrieval of foreign objects

• Polypectomy snares – with cutting wire for the removal of polyps and other small growths

• Cytology brushes – for collecting cell samples, particularly from the lower airway or gastrointestinal tract

• Catheters with injection needles - for aspiration biopsy or flushing and aspirating fluid e.g. bronchoalveolar lavage

• Guttural pouch probe – to help navigate the endoscope into the guttural pouch

• Equine laryngeal forceps – particularly useful during trans-endoscopic laser surgery

• Coagulation electrode – where hemostasis is required.

Other applications

• Rigid endoscopes (or telescopes) are also widely used in large animal veterinary clinics. Applications may include

• Dental assessment

• Arthroscopy – for diagnosis and treatment (e.g. meniscal injury)

• Thoracoscopy – for diagnosis and treatment (e.g. pleural lavage in pleuropneumonia cases)

• Laparoscopy – for diagnostics (e.g. organ visualization and biopsy), elective surgery (e.g. cryptorchid castration or ovariectomy in horses) or therapeutic surgery (e.g. abomasopexy in cattle, neoplasia in all species, inguinal ring closure in equine hernia patients or nephrogenic space ablation after entrapment colic).

Artificial insemination and embryo transfer work

• Theloresectoscopy – for diagnostics and minimally invasive teat surgery in cattle 

• Rigid endoscopes are passed through a trocar or cannula into the required space. Operating instruments for use during laparoscopy and thoracoscopy may include scissors, grasping forceps, biopsy forceps, injection cannulas, a palpation probe, needle holders, and knot tyers. Specialist instruments are available for embryo transfer in horses and cattle and for toggling procedures in cattle.

• Instruments for use during arthroscopy may include probes to assess articular cartilage and subchondral bone; curettes for debridement; osteotomes and elevators for separating bone fragments; rongeurs; grasping forceps; arthroscopy punch for resection of cartilage, synovium or soft tissue masses; chisels; scissors; and drainage cannulas.

Conclusion

Large animal veterinary practitioners are presented with some specific challenges when diagnosing and treating our patients.

They are often, by definition, large in size which can limit the use of some diagnostic techniques such as abdominal radiography.

Frequently our patients would be at high risk under general anesthesia both in terms of risk to the patient and potential risk to the handler(s) too. In our livestock patients, in particular, financial limitations may preclude the use of advanced imaging modalities.

Large animal endoscopy represents an accessible, practical, and economically viable solution in many of these cases, both in terms of diagnostics and therapeutics. 

Additional resources 

The Veterinary Endoscopy Society - https://veterinaryendoscopysociety.org/ 

Equine endoscopy - https://adobevetcenter.com/equine-endoscopy/

Equine gastroscopy https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/equine-gastroscopy-a-complete-perspective 

Gastrointestinal biopsy in the horse https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10406387221085584

Transendoscopic URT laser surgery in the horse https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749073917302870

Livestock endoscopy - https://adobevetcenter.com/livestock-endoscopy/

Endoscopy in cattle https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22134601/#:~:text=Parts%20of%20the%20upper%20respiratory,prognosis%20of%20different%20pathological%20conditions. 

Theloscopy in cattle https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749072004000854?via%3Dihub

Dosimeter Badges in your clinic: Key FAQs Answered

What are veterinary dosimeter badges?

Veterinary dosimeter badges are small devices worn by veterinary professionals to monitor their exposure to radiation in workplaces where diagnostic imaging procedures are performed on animals.

•  Why are veterinary dosimeter badges necessary?

Veterinary dosimeter badges are crucial for ensuring the safety of personnel who work with radiation-emitting equipment, helping to monitor exposure levels, and preventing potential health risks.

• How much does a dosimeter badge cost? 

The cost is $88.00 per person per year. The price includes quarterly replaced dosimeter badges and quarterly lab reports.

• Do I need to return the badge whenever I get a new quarterly badge? 

Yes, you must return all the dosimeter badges every quarter following our return process. 

• What happens if I don’t return a badge or if I don’t return it on time? 

Returns must be on time to maintain the monitoring process which may lead to increased costs and regulatory issues. To avoid this, there is a $50 per badge, per quarter late fee. This ensures compliance, data accuracy, and the effective management of dosimetry programs, prioritizing worker safety.

• How do veterinary dosimeter badges work?

These badges contain sensitive materials that change when exposed to radiation, allowing for measuring radiation exposure over time.

•  Who needs to wear veterinary dosimeter badges?

Anyone working with radiation-emitting equipment in veterinary settings, including veterinarians, technicians, and radiology staff, should wear dosimeter badges.

• How often should veterinary dosimeter badges be worn?

Dosimeter badges should be worn whenever there is a possibility of radiation exposure, following workplace protocols and regulations.

• How are veterinary dosimeter badges read and analyzed?

Badges are collected quarterly and sent to our specialists for analysis, with reports provided to the veterinary facility.

•  Are veterinary dosimeter badges reusable?

No, dosimeter badges are single-use devices and should be replaced after analysis.  

• Are veterinary dosimeter badges transferable?

No, each dosimeter badge is person-specific and nontransferable. 

• Are there regulations or guidelines for veterinary dosimeter badges?

Yes, our services are governed by The National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) which provides guidelines and regulations for the use of dosimeter badges to ensure safety.

• How can I obtain veterinary dosimeter badges for my practice?

You can obtain dosimeter badges from https://form.jotform.com/221224959076157

• Who should I contact for more information about veterinary dosimeter badges?

For further assistance or questions about veterinary dosimeter badges, please get in touch with our customer service team support@newvetequipment.com or call at 530-722-4977

Avoid X-Ray Over-Exposure: Expert Tips for Veterinarians

Sharpen Your Skills: Mastering X-Ray Technique to Avoid Overexposure

X-rays are workhorses in the veterinary world, helping diagnose countless conditions in our furry (and feathered, and scaled) friends. But for those perfect diagnostic images, proper exposure is crucial. Over-exposed X-rays, while easy to spot, can lead to a whole host of problems. Don't worry, though, this blog is here to help!

Why Does Exposure Matter?

A good X-ray is like a perfectly balanced recipe: all the elements need to be just right. Over-exposure, like adding too much salt, makes the image too dark and difficult to interpret. This can lead to missed diagnoses and even unnecessary repeat X-rays, exposing your patients and staff to additional radiation.

Culprits of the Over-Exposed Image

Several factors can contribute to over-exposed X-rays in your clinic:

• Distance: A slight change in the distance between the X-ray source and the animal can significantly impact exposure. Ensure proper positioning and consult your exposure chart for the correct distance based on the animal's size and the area being imaged.

• Technical Tweaks: Incorrect kV and mA settings can also play a role. Higher kV settings lead to more powerful X-rays that can penetrate deeper, potentially overexposing the film. Adjusting these settings based on the animal and the desired image is crucial.

• Missing Grids: Grids help filter out scattered radiation, improving image quality and reducing exposure. Ensure you're using the appropriate grid and factoring it into your exposure calculations.

Tips for X-Ray Success

Here's how you can ensure your X-rays are picture-perfect:

• Exposure Charts: These handy tools provide recommended kV and mA settings for various animal sizes and body areas. Consult them religiously!

• Exposure Indicators: Most digital systems come equipped with these, helping you identify overexposed images. Learn how to interpret the readings and adjust settings accordingly.

• Regular Maintenance: Keep your X-ray machines well-maintained for optimal performance and accurate exposure.

Remember:

Over-exposure isn't just about image quality; it's about patient and staff safety. By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can ensure your X-rays are both diagnostic and safe.

Bonus Tip: Consider exploring X-ray machines with features like automatic exposure adjustments based on animal size, like the DynaVue Duo. This can minimize errors, optimize imaging, and ultimately, enhance the care you provide to your animal patients.

A Guide to Veterinary X-Ray and CT Room Shielding

Shielding Solutions: Safeguarding Staff and Clients in Veterinary Radiology

Ensuring the safety of your staff and clients is paramount in any veterinary practice, and this extends to the crucial area of X-ray and CT imaging. These powerful tools provide invaluable diagnostic information, but they also emit ionizing radiation, which can be harmful if not properly contained.

This blog post will delve into the essential aspects of veterinary X-ray and CT room shielding, addressing common questions like:

• How thick should the drywall be?

• Do I need lead in the walls?

• What level of protection is necessary for different areas of the room?

By understanding these key points, you can ensure your X-ray and CT room complies with safety regulations and provides optimal protection for everyone involved.

The Role of a Physicist Shielding Report

Before diving into specific materials and thicknesses, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of a physicist's report, also known as a shielding report. This document, created by a qualified medical physicist, is essential for determining the exact amount of radiation shielding required for your specific X-ray or CT equipment and facility layout.

The report considers various factors, including:

• Type of X-ray or CT scanner: Different machines produce varying levels of radiation, and the shielding needs to be tailored accordingly.

• Workload of the equipment: The frequency of X-ray or CT scans directly impacts the required shielding.

• Room layout and occupancy: The location of the X-ray room relative to other occupied areas plays a crucial role in determining the shielding needed for walls, floors, and ceilings.

Understanding Shielding Requirements in Different Areas:

While a physicist's report provides the definitive answer, here's a general overview of the various areas within an X-ray or CT room and their typical shielding needs:

Walls:

• Drywall thickness alone may not be sufficient for X-ray or CT rooms.

• Lead lining is often incorporated within the walls to absorb radiation effectively.

• The specific thickness of lead and total shielding equivalent (measured in millimeters of lead or lead equivalent) will be determined in the physicist's report.

Floors and Ceilings:

• Shielding requirements for floors and ceilings depend on the location of the X-ray source and the presence of occupied spaces above or below the room.

• The report will specify the needed thickness of concrete or other appropriate materials for these areas.

Control Booth:

• The control booth, where the operator stands during X-ray or CT procedures, requires sufficient shielding to minimize radiation exposure.

• This typically involves a combination of lead-lined walls, leaded glass windows, and proper door shielding.

Next Steps:

Remember, this blog post serves as a general informational guide, and the physicist's report is essential for ensuring your facility's X-ray or CT room adheres to regulations and prioritizes safety.

For a Physicist Shielding Report tailored to your specific veterinary practice, feel free to reach out to us!

We can help you create a safe and compliant environment for your staff, clients, and furry patients.

Fluoroscopy - the difference between II images & FPD

Understanding the Contrast Between II and FPD Images

 In a recent article, we were able to show the benefits of fluoroscopy in the veterinary field. Now, we can highlight in a bit more detail, the differences between the two methods of obtaining fluoroscopy images and explain when each one may be appropriate. 

Just like standard radiography where there are two methods for image capture - computed radiography (CR) or direct digital radiography (DDR) - in the field of fluoroscopy, there are also two methods - via an Image Intensifier (II) or a Flat Panel Detector (FPD).

For ease of understanding and by relating to familiar X-ray technologies, similarities can also be drawn between the standard X-ray capture options and the fluoroscopy image capture options with both the CR and II methods relying on an intermediate system between the point of image capture, and the viewing of the image, but the DDR and FPD methods connecting directly to a viewing computer. 

How the image is obtained

Image intensified images: 

The X-ray image intensifier is a unit that utilizes a series of photochemical reactions to achieve a viewable image.

At the front of the unit, exposed to the X-ray beam, sits an input phosphor (a solid material that emits light when exposed to radiation – the same technique as in an old-style intensifying screen in a film-based or CR X-ray setup). Immediately adjacent to this layer is a photocathode.

When the radiation beam strikes the input phosphor, causing visible light to be released, this visible light in turn strikes the photocathode. The photocathode releases electrons in direct proportion to the visible light, which is directed through the tube by electron lenses onto an output phosphor.

The output phosphor emits light the same way as the input phosphor does, so the image is obtained. This image is only around 1” in diameter, so to be diagnostic it needs to be magnified by attaching a video camera and then digitized in a computer. 

Flat Panel Detector images: 

In the FPD system, the X-ray image intensifier unit and video camera are replaced by a single digital assembly where the X-ray photons are converted directly to electrical charge and displayed on a monitor. 

Benefits of each system

Image intensified images: 

Being an older system, II fluoroscopy is a cheaper option than the more modern FPD systems, making it more accessible to the majority of veterinary clinics. There may also be a degree of familiarity in their use and maintenance is likely to be more easily obtained and more affordable than for FPD systems. 

Flat panel detector images: 

The images obtained in this way are much more detailed, of higher quality, and of a higher resolution than those captured by an image intensifier, therefore making them much more likely to result in an accurate diagnosis.

As well as a higher resolution image, the C-arms used in FPD units range from 12” x 12” to 17” x 17” which is a much larger field of view than those used with II units.

This means a wider area of the patient can be examined in a single capture. The whole process is also much faster than with an image intensifier, so the patient is exposed to a shorter duration of radiation. 

Downsides of each system

Image intensified images: 

Just as the image quality is the main benefit of the FPD system, the lack of image quality is the main downside to the II system - the images obtained tend to be of low resolution which can make diagnoses challenging.

The C-arms used also cover a much smaller field of view – typically around 9” x 9” or 12” x 12” meaning the anatomical area examined is also much smaller.

The slower processing of the image means a longer duration of exposure to radiation for the patient. As with many older technological systems, the II units are typically larger and take up more space within a practice than the more modern FPD units. 

Flat panel detector images: 

The main drawback to an FPD system is the cost – being a newer and much more advanced technique, the set-up costs are understandably much higher than for an image intensifier system.

This advanced equipment is also more delicate, and great care and training are needed to be able to use it safely. Some maintenance costs will also reflect this higher value. 

When choosing which system is right for a hospital, all the above factors need to be taken into consideration. There will not be one-size-fits-all. In the future, just like what happened when digital radiography took over from film radiography, we may all move more towards flat panel detectors but for the moment, clinics have the two possible options.

Whichever system is chosen, having fluoroscopy within a practice will greatly enhance the services they can offer and aid in increasing the diagnostic toolkit available to the doctors. 

References

1. https://newvetequipment.com/blog/veterinary-fluoroscopy

2. Gingold, E. (n.d.). Modern Fluoroscopy Imaging Systems. Image Wisely. https://www.imagewisely.org/Imaging-Modalities/Fluoroscopy/Modern-Imaging-Systems Figure 1, figure 2.

3. https://youtu.be/rex_N_H4zxU 

What does an ICU cage unit do for a critical pet patient?

A Safe Haven for Healing: Understanding the Benefits of Veterinary ICU Cages

Care of the critically ill patient can be challenging enough as it is; makeshift oxygen tents, fluctuating room temperatures, and awkward nebulization systems can make it seem like a real uphill struggle.

Vet surgeons and vet techs who have access to the latest innovations in intensive care equipment can focus their time and energy on patients and treatment plans, instead of wasting it battling environmental undesirables.  

So, what are our requirements?

Oxygen Supply

One of the primary features of all our intensive care unit (ICU) cages is the supplementation of oxygen (O2).

Traditional flow-by methods are unreliable, in no small part due lack of patient compliance. With flow-by, not only is it difficult to quantify the amount of O2 being delivered to a patient, but it is also nearly impossible to track and measure the patient’s response to the gradual removal of said supplementation.

The user-friendly control panel on our ICU cages facilitates the delivery of precise proportions of O2 into a patient’s micro-environment.

These levels can be readily adjusted in a manner to suit the patient’s needs, who can be easily viewed and monitored via the clear-view cage doors. O2 concentrators can be utilized with our ICU cages for the highly economical creation of medical-grade O2.

Vet professionals can relax in the knowledge that certain safety functions are in place to protect patients. Not only will an alarm sound should O2 concentration fall below 20%, or carbon dioxide exceed 2000ppm, but they can rest assured that intelligent technology will automatically engage the external circulation of air in these circumstances, and therefore maintain patient safety.

Nebulization

For patients requiring nebulization, our ICU cages offer an extremely exciting feature. Environmental medical nebulization is an inbuilt function, removing the need for awkward, handheld systems that are poorly tolerated by pets, with the potential to induce stress.

What is more, the efficacy of nebulization is dramatically improved and can be achieved without disturbing the patient.   

Warming

Hypothermic patients benefit from our ICU cages through the gentle, reliable, and consistent application of warm air into their environment.

Burns from heat mats and microwaveable wheat bags need to be a risk no more. Instead, it is possible to accurately monitor and adjust environmental temperature at the touch of a button, for safe and effective warming. 

Quiet, calm, and spacious accommodation

Other benefits of ICU cages include the calm, and quiet environment that they create.

There are no clattering metal cage doors. Instead, soft-closing plastic doors make for a peaceful experience for critically unwell patients who may be stressed about their condition.

The impact of anxiety on compromised patients is no secret amongst vet professionals: we all know that it can interrupt and prolong treatments and therefore recovery. For this reason, our ICU cages feature silent air conditioning systems and a 3-in-1 light system.

White light is invaluable for times of patient assessment, whilst gentle, warm light is invaluable for general monitoring, and blue light is available for therapeutic purposes.

Our cages can accommodate larger patients than some since there is a removable divider. When the divider is in place, the control panel is capable of setting individual environmental conditions for each cage, resulting in tailored care for each patient.

Infection control

When a critical patient poses the additional challenges of being either infectious, or immunosuppressed, it can be tricky to know where to house them for their safety, or that of other patients.

Our ICU cages come into their own in these circumstances, with to state-of-the-art photo-hydro-ionization technology which continuously disinfects and deodorizes the cage. An internal air circulation system further bolsters the creation of a safe and sterile environment, reducing cross-contamination between patients. 

ICU cages can have been described as life-supporting pieces of equipment, and it is easy to see why. As veterinary professionals, we not only aim to not harm, but we also strive for the best standard of care when it comes to our patients;

ICU housing facilitates exactly this for many critically unwell pets including neonates, infectious patients, critical care patients, those with cardiopulmonary diseases, those with post-operative complications, as well as geriatrics.

Struggle with makeshift oxygen & unreliable nebulization? Our ICU cages offer:

• Precise oxygen delivery with alarms & safety features.

• Built-in nebulization for improved efficacy & reduced stress.

• Safe & controlled warming to avoid burns.

• Quiet environment with silent AC & calming light options.

• Infection control with photo-hydro-ionization & air circulation.

Ideal for neonates, infectious, critical care, & more!

https://newvetequipment.com/intensive-care-unit

Safety Steps When using Portable Handheld X-ray Generator

Ensuring Safety with Portable Handheld X-ray Generators in Veterinary Practice

When using any x-ray equipment, the most important consideration for the user should always be safety.

Having safety protocols and measures in place is equally important when using both portable handheld X-ray generators and stationary machines. This article will review these safety considerations in veterinary practice.

Why choose handheld X-ray machines?

There are many benefits to using portable handheld x-ray generators and the demand is growing within the industry.

The fact that they are portable is brilliant for taking the X-ray machine anywhere, both in and out of the practice, and it provides lots of scope for field X-rays. As they are not fixed in a designated X-ray room, there are no installation costs or building adaptations required, therefore it is a bit more economical.

They are versatile and can take images of difficult locations and angles such as dentition and distal limbs etc. Sometimes this can prove extremely challenging and sometimes even impossible with fixed machines.

In the small animal veterinary field, there is a growing use and demand for handheld radiography equipment in dentistry cases and oral radiography is evolving. In an ideal scenario, every patient undergoing a dental procedure should have dental X-rays taken before the surgery.

This will allow for a more thorough assessment of specific dental diseases such as feline oral resorptive lesions (FORL).

However, it is important to be aware of the additional safety requirements.

Testing and training

Firstly, any X-ray equipment before use by veterinary professionals must be reviewed and tested to meet legal requirements.

Handheld radiography equipment is a real advance in both small and large animal practice, as it allows a much greater scope of diagnostic imaging.

With that, however, there is also more scope for inadvertent or excessive irradiation of staff and potentially patients.

As a result, proper and professional training should be undertaken by anyone who operates or is present for handheld X-rays. Once official protocols are set in place, these regulations must be strictly adhered to maximize user and patient safety. 

Personal safety and protection

Handheld X-ray devices are designed to have a hands-off approach to the patient by not requiring any form of manual restraint.

This allows radiographic images to be taken from a safer distance, without the veterinarian’s hands being directly exposed. Users should still always wear lead protective gloves that fully enclose the hands to reduce skin radiation exposure from scattered beams, as well as lead aprons and, where possible, thyroid neck shields.

There can be serious human health complications that can occur from overexposure to radiation. The carcinogenic effects of radiation exposure (especially high-dose radiation or repeated exposures) remain a huge topic of interest (scientific, medical, and legal) in both the human and veterinary fields which is why the relevant safety rules must always be adhered to.

In 2016, a survey was carried out among veterinary professionals, and it was discovered that 90% of participants were seeking alternative ways to manual restraint during X-rays, encouraging the need and demand for handheld devices. 

Alternative methods to manual restraint are positioning aids and sedation to allow a ‘hands-free’ approach. In general, there is no excuse for unshielded manual restraint of a patient, and relatively few patients are unsuitable for any form of chemical restraint. 

Integral protection

The safety of any handheld X-ray device lies in the operator’s hands. Handheld and portable X-ray devices are designed differently from other machines by encompassing some features to reduce radiation exposure.

Handheld machines have a lead shield incorporated into the device and often a lead shield close to the x-ray tube head to minimize radiation exposure through backscatter towards the operator.

Patient safety

As well as user safety considerations, we must always review patient safety and try to reduce their radiation exposure as much as possible. We must always abide by the specific safety distance between the handheld device and the patient. 

Dosage monitoring

Like all x-ray devices when they are in use, users should always wear personal dosimeter badges to monitor the user’s exposure to radiation. Every user should have their dosimeter badge and these badges should not be shared between colleagues.

This safety consideration is a strict regulation and dosimeter badges should be regularly checked to monitor radiation exposure levels.

Aging equipment 

Like any technical machinery, handheld X-ray machines and generators can have a reduced function and not work as well over time, especially after a lot of use.

Compliance audits and equipment servicing must therefore never be overlooked or forgotten about. As a general rule, all machines should be inspected by a qualified maintenance engineer or technician at least annually, and if in heavy use, this may need to be every 6 months, depending on the model.

To conclude, handheld X-rays are an exciting development within the veterinary profession.

They have many advantages for both the user and the patient, but these handheld machines do not come without their risks and safety should always remain the priority in every single individual case.

References

Ali, Y, F. Cucinotta, F, A. Ning-Ang, L. Zhou, G. 2020. Cancer risk of low dose ionizing radiation. Frontiers of physics. 8.

https://newvetequipment.com/#eapps-search-7455972f-926a-408a-9a16-b9db8da324fb-hand%20held%20x-ray

https://newvetequipment.com/dr-with-table-generator

https://handsfreexrays.com/about

https://www.celticsmr.co.uk/media/1490/nomad-pro-vet-brochure.pdf

Buy Veterinary Digital X-ray Equipment with Confidence

How to Buy Veterinary Digital X-ray Equipment without Experiencing Buyer's Remorse

Have you ever bought something and regretted the purchase?

I think I have at one time or another. However, it’s one thing to regret ordering a cheeseburger and fries, but quite another when I regret buying a $50,000 car or truck.

When I make a big purchase, I want to feel good about my decision. I want to make sure that I made the right choice.

I want you to feel great about buying from me! I understand it is no small thing for a Veterinarian to spend $20,000 or $30,000 on digital x-ray equipment, and I want you to feel great about buying from us.

So, here is my “purchase without buyer's remorse” plan:

The 30-day satisfaction guarantee, or your money-back offer. When you make a digital x-ray system purchase, I will give you 30 days so that you feel comfortable and confident that you made the right choice.

And if you are not satisfied, return your digital x-ray equipment for a full refund.

Yes, that is correct! A FULL refund!!

I know that after the vet digital x-ray equipment is installed in your clinic, and once you learn how to use the software, you will be very happy with the results you get.

I can offer this guarantee because I am very confident with the quality of the digital x-ray equipment we sell, and I want you to be completely satisfied.

Here is the fine print:

• Equipment must be returned in original packaging.

• Equipment cannot be returned if damaged by the user during your 30 days.

• The buyer pays the cost of shipping/packing/insurance of all returned equipment.

• You must give us a reasonable chance to correct any dissatisfaction.

The main reason I am offering this “30-day satisfaction guarantee or your money back” is to give you peace of mind.

I understand I’m not as big as Idexx, Cuattro, or Sound-Eklin. Perhaps that makes you think twice about trying us out.

But I am confident that our equipment is as good, if not better, and now we have a “30-day satisfaction guarantee or your money back” - which the big boys do not offer!

The bottom line is simple:

• I am offering quality digital x-ray equipment for the veterinary industry at an amazing price, with a great warranty, and now a 30-day guarantee.

• I want to do the right thing, treat you with respect, and help you be successful in your veterinary practice.

Call or text me - Brad Haven, Jr. - 530-355-5886

Cone Beam CT and Orthopedic Surgery for Veterinary Hospitals

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has revolutionized diagnostic imaging in the veterinary orthopedic field.

It has enabled delicate structures to be imaged in intricate detail, ensuring no pathologies are missed, diseases can be detected early, and surgery can be planned with the greatest precision.

In veterinary clinics, CBCT is now being used to scan cats and dogs, providing 3D images superior to other imaging modalities.

The benefits of using CBCT for Veterinary

Orthopedic surgeons rely on various imaging techniques for all aspects of their work including diagnostics, surgical planning, intra-surgical imaging, and monitoring post-surgical healing.

The unique properties CBCT has to offer make it the ideal imaging modality for orthopedic work as it greatly reduces a patient’s radiation exposure compared to conventional CT, while still producing high-quality images.

Compared to conventional CT, which uses a continuous beam of radiation, CBCT uses a conical-shaped beam and flat plate receiver, which both rotate 180 to 360° around the patient, while only taking intermittent images at specific intervals. Algorithms are used to convert these 2D images into a reconstructed 3D view that provides orthopedic surgeons with high-resolution images.

The benefits of CBCT:

• High-resolution 3D images are produced – The intricate level of detail each scan provides is ideal for assessing the architecture of bones and complex joints.

• Patients are only exposed to a low dose of radiation – The use of a focused field of view and intermittent radiation exposure during one scan enables each patient’s radiation dose to be significantly reduced compared to conventional CT.

• No issues with superimposition – The 3D images eliminate superimposition, enabling structures to be viewed using CBCT that would otherwise be unable to be assessed with digital radiography.

• Scans can be performed rapidly – A full scan takes less than a minute to complete, so it is ideal for both veterinary work and for use during orthopedic surgeries.

• The equipment is cost-effective – Compared to the cost of setting up a conventional CT scanner, CBCT is cheaper, enabling veterinary clinics access to CT when conventional CT scanners are out of budget.
  
  

CBCT in Orthopedic Veterinary Clinics

CBCT was first used in dentistry where it superseded digital radiographs by providing more accurate information on lesion location while being cost-effective and performing scans rapidly.

More recently, orthopedic surgeons have started using the benefits of CBCT, especially for imaging areas that were previously difficult to assess using digital radiography due to the location of superimposed bones or complex joints.

Why CBCT is superior to digital radiography 

Digital radiography is the first-line imaging choice for diagnosing orthopedic conditions in our pets.

However, digital radiography has the disadvantage of only being able to provide limited anatomical detail, restricting its use for diagnosing orthopedic conditions and surgical planning.

Veterinary clinics with access to CBCT can rely on this technique to provide superior detailed scans for all stages of orthopedic work. When used for diagnosing orthopedic conditions, it can assess fractures that would have otherwise been missed and can detect signs of degenerative conditions and bone tumors earlier.

The use of imaging for orthopedic surgery 

Orthopedic surgeons are greatly reliant on access to reliable imaging modalities for pre-surgical planning and intra-surgical use.

CBCT is the ideal choice for surgical planning as each scan provides detailed information on lesion location and enables surgical accuracy to be improved while limiting the need for revision surgeries.

Benefits of CBCT for orthopedic surgery:

• Ideal for pre-surgical planning – The high-resolution 3D images provide surgeons with maximum information on the location of the lesion, enabling improved surgical accuracy during intricate surgeries while also decreasing anesthetic and surgical time.

• Rapid scan times of less than one minute – Each scan may take between 5 to 40 seconds, helping to reduce the surgical and anesthetic time for the patients who require intra-operative scans.

• Mobile equipment – Having access to portable CBCT equipment enables scans to be performed during surgery with limited disruption to the patient or the aseptic field.

• Lower radiation doses – Compared to conventional CT, CBCT exposes patients to significantly lower radiation doses while not compromising image quality. This enables repeated scans to be performed when necessary.

• Ideal for monitoring healing post-surgery – CBCT allows healing to be more accurately assessed, especially when monitoring fracture repair and callus formation. In comparison, digital radiographs can over- or underestimate healing, making it difficult to assess post-operative recovery.

CBCT is currently gaining rapid popularity in veterinary hospitals due to its ability to produce accurate 3D images in a rapid, cost-effective way that is unique to other imaging modalities.

ts ability to overcome superimposition and its suitability for surgical planning and intra-surgical use make it essential for all veterinary orthopedic work. 

References 

Posadzy M, Desimpel J, Vanhoenacker F. Cone Beam CT of the musculoskeletal system: clinical applications. Insights into imaging. 2018 Feb;9(1):35-45. 

Ricci M, Boldini M, Bonfante E, Sambugaro E, Vecchini E, Schenal G, Magnan B, Montemezzi S. Cone-beam computed tomography compared to X-ray in the diagnosis of extremities bone fractures: a study of 198 cases. European Journal of Radiology open. 2019 Jan 1;6:119-21.

Meneses F, Maiolini A, Forterre F, Oevermann A, Schweizer-Gorgas D. Feasibility of a Frameless Brain Biopsy System for Companion Animals Using Cone-Beam CT-Based Automated Registration. Frontiers in veterinary science. 2022 Feb 9;8:779845.

Lee J, Stayman JW, Otake Y, Schafer S, Zbijewski W, Khanna AJ, Prince JL, Siewerdsen JH. Volume-of-change cone-beam CT for image-guided surgery. Physics in Medicine & Biology. 2012 Jul 17;57(15):4969.

Venkatesh E, Elluru SV. Cone beam computed tomography: basics and applications in dentistry. Journal of Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry. 2017 Dec 2;51(3 Suppl 1):102-21.

Fotouhi J, Fuerst B, Unberath M, Reichenstein S, Lee SC, Johnson AA, Osgood GM, Armand M, Navab N. Automatic intraoperative stitching of nonoverlapping cone‐beam CT acquisitions. Medical physics. 2018 Jun;45(6):2463-75.

Enhance Your Pet's Recovery with a Veterinary Smart ICU

When Does Your Patient Need the Extra Support of a Veterinary Smart ICU?

As a veterinary professional, your priority is always the well-being of your animal patients. For some, surgery, even when necessary, can be a risky and stressful experience.

That's where veterinary Smart ICUs come in, offering an advanced level of care and monitoring to maximize their chances of a smooth recovery. 

But when exactly should you consider utilizing this specialized unit? Here are some key scenarios:

1. Postoperative Care:

Following surgery, even routine procedures, some animals require close monitoring and specialized care. The Smart ICU provides a controlled environment with constant observation, allowing you to:

• Identify and address potential complications early: From pain management to bleeding risks, the ICU's advanced equipment and dedicated staff can intervene swiftly, minimizing setbacks.

• Deliver consistent, precise medication: IV drips, pain relievers and other critical medications can be administered accurately and continuously in the ICU, ensuring optimal effectiveness.

• Promote a comfortable recovery: Temperature control, oxygen therapy, and specialized bedding can create a soothing environment for healing.

2. Critical Care and Emergency Situations:

Animals experiencing severe illnesses, trauma, or life-threatening conditions need immediate and expert intervention. The Smart ICU is equipped to handle:

• Cardiopulmonary issues: Advanced monitoring of heart rate, respiration, and oxygen levels allows for swift action in critical situations.

• Infectious diseases: Isolation rooms within the ICU prevent the spread of contagious illnesses while providing specialized care.

• Severe injuries: From accident victims to animals requiring complex surgical procedures, the ICU offers the necessary equipment and expertise for critical care.

3. Special Needs Patients:

Young pups and kittens, geriatric individuals, and animals with pre-existing conditions require extra attention after surgery. The Smart ICU is ideal for:

• Newborn care: Providing warmth, oxygen, and specialized feeding support is crucial for fragile neonates.

• Elderly care: Monitoring vital signs, managing pain, and ensuring comfort tailored to their unique needs.

• Patients with chronic conditions: Offering a haven with specialized equipment and protocols to address their specific requirements.

Making the Informed Decision:

Deciding whether a Smart ICU is right for your patient requires careful consideration of the individual case.

Factors like the complexity of the surgery, the animal's pre-existing health, and potential recovery challenges should be weighed.

Remember, a Smart ICU is an invaluable tool in your arsenal, offering an extra layer of support and potentially improving recovery outcomes for your patients.

Don't hesitate to consider its benefits when faced with complex cases or animals needing specialized care.