Practice Matters 18
Fitzpatrick Referrals upgrades its Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Suite to be one of best in Europe I n October 2015, Fitzpatrick Referrals upgraded their Imaging Suite to now host some of the best technology available today in the world of veterinary diagnostics. The new upgrades with the Toshiba Aquilion 160 CT Scanner and Siemens 1.5T MRI Tim System Scanner, available at both their Orthopaedics/Neurology and Oncology/Soft Tissue hospitals, are unique in the UK. The new scanners have the capability of providing highly advanced imaging offering the very latest and best detector technology for our patients. The Toshiba Aquilion 160 slice CT scanner which has been installed in both their Eashing and Guildford hospitals are currently, in terms of hardware and software, the most advanced CT machines in the UK. They provide excellent image quality within just a few seconds. This multidetector scanner can produce high resolution imaging of the thorax, abdomen, pelvis, head, bones and joints with CT angiographic studies which has revolutionised the ability
to view fractures, complex joint disorders, limb deformities and bone-invading cancers in 3D. The Siemens 1.5T MRI Tim System Scanner in their Orthopaedics/Neurology referral centre obtains images of exceptionally high quality in order to achieve more rapid diagnosis and reduced examination time. This state-of-theart system has 32 channels and can combine up to 72 coil elements, a configuration that makes this system superior for scanning the patient top to toe without any repositioning. Since introducing the new MRI machine, our practice has already managed to reduce scanning time by 30% per patient. The scanner has the capability to evaluate perfusion in brain tumours, cartilage thickness, and spinal cord changes with 1mm slice thickness. Eli Jovanovik PGDip BSc, Head of Imaging at Fitzpatrick Referrals, said: “With this latest upgrade, our imaging department is now equal to that of leading
hospitals in human medicine today. For example, a routine MRI scan of the brain now only takes 15 minutes which previously would take 25 minutes. The CT scanners have state of the art detector technology, capable of producing very thin slices of 0.5mm that enable the clinician to recognize and diagnose very subtle changes. Our upgraded suite will revolutionise veterinary medicine and represents a paradigm shift
for the future of animal care. With such cutting edge equipment, we will make a huge step forward in improving patient care for our animal friends and will ultimately have a direct impact on diagnostics protocols for human patients too.” For more information about Fitzpatrick Referrals Imaging Service, visit: http://www.fitzpatrickreferrals. co.uk/services/imaging/
ROYAL CANIN® launches new weight management programme for practices
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 8
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OYAL CANIN® has announced a new Approved Weight Management Centre programme for vet practices across the UK. Launched by ROYAL CANIN®’s dedicated Weight Management Team, a number of practices across the UK will receive ‘Centre of Excellence’ status for managing overweight or obese cats and dogs educating clients on prevention. To gain approved centre status, practices are required to establish a formal Weight Management Clinic and work as a team to refer clients with overweight pets through the clinic. The chosen practices will receive bespoke training from a member of the Weight Management Team, providing them with the skills and protocols to discuss obesity with clients and encouraging vets, nurses and receptionists to work together to raise awareness of obesity. Shelley Holden from the
Weight Management Team said: “This is a unique platform for practices across the UK to take advantage of and really excel in addressing weight management issues in practice and tackling prevention. We are excited to currently work with an elite group of practices, all committed to raising awareness of obesity in cats and dogs.” As part of the accolade, all nine approved clinics now discuss body condition scoring with patients to identify whether the pet is in ideal condition. If overweight or obese, they are then referred for further advice and support to their weight clinic. The weight clinic is a complimentary 30 minute appointment with a weight management nurse, followed by ongoing monitoring, personalised advice and telephone support. Approved clinics also educate owners about prevention during puppy parties, puppy and kitten vaccinations, and at neutering
to ensure owners are aware of the health risks of weight gain from the outset. Mrs Jo Hammett BVSc MRCVS, Owner of The Stocks Vets, explained: “We have received bespoke training from ROYAL CANIN® to achieve centre status, giving our team the confidence to discuss the sensitive issues surrounding weight with clients, in addition to tackling education. This
has really helped break down barriers in approaching the topic with clients about their pets’ weight and we are finding they are now much more open with the team during consultations, which is a major achievement in itself.” For more information about the Approved Weight Management Centre programme, practices should contact their ROYAL CANIN® veterinary business manager or visit www.royalcanin.co.uk.