Medical Imaging at South Paws

Diagnostics

Our computed tomography system would be right at home in a human hospital and is Australia’s fastest and most advanced imaging system for animals. We have computed radiography to improve the quality of our radiographs and to reduce the need for retakes. Our x-ray machine can be used to take radiographs on a padded mattress on the floor to improve patient comfort and to reduce anxiety. We have a fluoroscopy unit for video x-ray studies as well as ultrasound and nine different types of endoscopes. We also have daily access to a 1.5 Tesla MRI.

Ultrasound

Ultrasonography is an invaluable tool for practicing veterinary medicine. It is a minimally invasive imaging modality that allows us to examine the internal organs of your pet. Often an ultrasound can be performed with the animal awake, in some cases a light sedation may be required to help your animal relax while the scan is performed.

An ultrasound allows us to obtain images and potentially to diagnose disease affecting the heart, lungs and abdominal organs such as the liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, adrenal glands and lymph nodes. It also allows us to obtain samples of various tissues under ultrasound guidance.

At Southpaws we have invested in the very best in ultrasound technology to allow the greatest chance of obtaining an accurate diagnosis.

Computed Tomography

Southpaws is proud to have the fastest CT scanner in Australia for animals, which will allow more effective diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases. CT scans can be performed in just 3-5 seconds, thereby minimising the time patients are under anaesthesia. Patients also benefit from three-dimensional volume rendering, offering complex spatial information from a single scan. This machine would be completely at home in the Alfred Hospital or Royal Children’s Hospital.

Dr Charles Kuntz DVM DACVS has extensive experience with computed tomography and is one of the very few practising veterinarians in Australia licensed to operate a CT. When required, expert interpretation by US Board Certified radiologists is also available via telemedicine.

The CT imaging facility is now available to all companion animals, whether cases are sent for specialist referral or purely for diagnostic imaging and immediate return to your primary care vet. In cases where patients are referred for imaging and treatment, the integrated service can allow imaging, interpretation and treatment to occur in a seamless and efficient process, often with only one general anaesthetic episode.

Whether referring purely for imaging, or for further diagnostic work-up and treatment at the Centre, CT can drastically improve both diagnosis and subsequent patient treatment.

MRI Access

Southpaws has daily access to an external 1.5 Tesla MRI. Patients are transported to the facility under the direct supervision of a Veterinarian and nurse. All patients are placed under a fully monitored anaesthetic whilst the MRI is taking place. The accompanying Veterinarian stays in the room with the patient to ensure that any anaesthetic needs are attended to as soon as they arise. The scan is then transferred to a DVD and brought back to the clinic for full analysis.

This allows Southpaws to offer the best available technology to diagnose and better localise lesions in the nervous system.