Veterinary Radiology

1. Veterinary Radiology BY: AMANDA BULLA

2. You will learn…. • The basic concepts of Veterinary Radiology • How the technology of radiology has advanced • The benefits animals gain from the advancements of radiology • Why safety is important while being involved with radiology • The different careers involved within Veterinary Radiology

3. The Basics • Radiology is used to see injuries, fetuses, diseases, abnormalities, and damages done to internal body parts and organs. • For the most part, radiology provides a quick diagnosis in most emergency situations. • Radiology is used everyday with clinics. • Has advantages and disadvantages.

4. The Basics • Radiology is very beneficial. • Without radiology, surgery would have to be fulfilled to diagnose problems within the body of an animal. • Radiology also helps to expand the information obtained from clinical examinations of animals.

5. The Advancements of Veterinary Radiology Technologies Advantages Disadvantages

6. Technologies

7. The Veterinary Direct Radiology System (Vet DRS) • Developed within the past ten years. • The Vet DRS was created to preserve space and provide a quick diagnosis. • This system is noted for its ability to store many radiographs as well as produce accurate radiographic images that provide for an accurate diagnosis. • Designed in both a small and large arrangement.

8. The Veterinary Direct Radiology System (Vet DRS) • Smaller arrangements are portable and were made for the use of field vets. • It was made for the vet to take shots of things such as a horses leg during the time of emergency for a quick diagnosis without being exposed to the radiation beams. • Images appear instantly appear onto the screen of a laptop carried by the vet to provide an on the spot diagnosis.

9. The Veterinary Direct Radiology System (Vet DRS) • Larger arrangements are not portable. • They remain within a radiology suite inside a veterinary clinic • The Images instantly appear onto a monitor to be reviewed by the medical staff • All arrangements are digital.

10. Protocols created for use on horses • One certain advancements allow vets the ability to produce accurate images of a horse’s legs. • “Magnetic Resonance Imaging” (MRI) • An MRI can now be taken on a horses leg. • Before this was developed surgery would have been the only way to determine the damage of a horse’s leg.

11. Protocols created for use on horses • Bone diseases or abnormalities, ligaments, tendons, and joints can be examined by this technology. • Color can be added and images can be made 3-D using this system. • Allows a realistic image of the inside of a horse’s leg.

12. Computers • Computers now contribute to the field of Veterinary Radiology. • Most radiographs are now stored within computers to Also they provide clearer preserve space. • images and certain programs to make radiographs seem more realistic and easier to understand.

13. Advantages of the Advancements • The advancements provide quicker and more reliable images and diagnosis. • They also allow the creation of more effective treatment plans.

14. Disadvantages • The only disadvantage of some advancements is that some radiographs may be misinterpreted or taken wrong. • This results in the taking of more radiographs which causes a prolonged diagnosis.

15. The Safety Aspects of Radiology

16. The Dangers and effects • Scatter radiation can cause cellular damage which is basically the destruction of the cells within the body and may result in cancer or another hazardous illness

17. Regulations • Individuals under the age of 18 may not be involved in any type of radiological activity because they have not fully developed; therefore, they are efficiently harmed by radiation exposure. • Pregnant women should also not be involved within radiological activities because their developing fetus will be easily harmed by the least amount of radiation expossure.

18. The Order of Operations • Created to aid in the protection of both humans and animals against the hazardous “scatter radiation”. • The Order of Operations consist of the following: an adequate technique chart or comparable system, positioning aids, protective clothing and other protective barriers, personnel dosimetry devices, emergency procedures for malfunctioning x-ray equipment, and quality control measurements and tests.

20. Animal Safety • Not as vital as it may be for humans • However, reproductive organs must be protected to prevent any type of damage. • Fetuses within a pregnant female may become harmed if the correct safety procedures are not followed. • Lead shields are also available for aniamls.

21. Veterinary Careers

22. Veterinary Careers • As the technologies within the veterinary field advance, different career options become available. • Some career options include: Veterinarians, Veterinarian Technicians, and other specialists. • Radiology Specialists include things such as: ultrasound specialists, CT or MRI specialists, nuclear medicine specialists, & radiation oncology specialists

23. Schooling and Training • Training and schooling depends on the choice of career. • In some cases, simple on the job training for about a month is all that is required to take useful radiographs. • Some careers require many years and a degree. • Specialist careers require organized more advanced training and schooling by specific colleges within veterinary medicine.

24. Schooling and Training • All individuals must have previous experience in Veterinary Radiology before going into specific programs. • Specialists may gain a certification license after attending a special 3 year program and completing a series of tests given by the American College of Veterinary Radiology.

25. Reading Rads (Terms) • Radiolucent: almost entirely transparent • Radio-opaque: not transparent to x-rays • In order from radiolucent to radio-opaque: air, fat, water, bone, metal • “scatter radiation”: appears cloudy on radiographs—scatters throughout the radiology suite—causes more exposure to individuals involved

26. Quizy Time • What is the basic function of Veterinary Radiology? • What are some technologies obtained over the past years? • How have the advancements proven beneficial to animals? • What role do computers play in veterinary radiology? • Why is safety so important? • What is the Order of Operations?

27. Quizy Time • What careers are associated with Veterinary Radiology? • What are the dangers of radiation exposure to minors or pregnant females? • List from radiolucent to radio-opaque. (water, air, fat, water, metal, bone) • Do the recent advancements benefit horses? • What is a benefit of digital radiology?

28. NOW ISN’T VETERINARY RADIOLOGY AWESOME????THANKS GUYS!!! =].