General Info:
The Veterinary MRI and RT Center of New Jersey was the first veterinary only, free- standing cross- sectional imaging and radiation treatment center in the world. In fact, during the early years of operation, the center was utilized by institutions such as Tufts University, The Animal Medical Center and the University of Pennsylvania for clients in the New York Metro area. The vision of a handful of veterinary specialists and general practitioners, the center officially opened its' doors to the public in November of 2002. As there was no veterinary model for such a center, it took two years to organize, develop and construct a center that was adaptable to animals. To this day, it has remained true to its' mission: to offer advanced imaging capability to the general practitioner and specialist alike and act as an extension of the diagnostic armamentarium to improve the lives of the companion animal patient. Not only has the center treated thousands of patients, it has become a vital educational resource for veterinarians in the application of cross- sectional imaging and advanced cancer treatment. The center pioneered treatment protocols for the application of radiation treatment and cross- sectional imaging. Thanks to these protocols, not only do 60% of the radiation treatment cases not require anesthesia, but the majority of CT scans are performed in as little as 30 minutes. MRI scans are performed in 60 minutes. This has added the dimension of convenience for our modern day, busy lifestyles.
MRI and CT,CT (CAT) Scanning, Computed Tomography (CT) imaging uses X-rays in conjunction with digital X-ray detectors and computer processors to image the patient. A CT scan is sometimes called a CAT scan (for computed axial tomography). For a CT scan, a dog or cat is placed under anesthesia, positioned on a table that slides the pet through a ring containing the x-ray source and the X-ray detectors. The CT images are cross- sectional slices of the area imaged, as if the patient was cut like a loaf of bread. These slices can be examined one by one to reveal the details inside. Contrast agents containing iodine are typically administered intravenously as part of the scanning process to enhance visualization of abnormal soft tissues and blood vessels. The Veterinary MRI and Radiotherapy Center of New Jersey uses a helical / spiral scanner to rapidly acquire images of dogs, cats and exotic animals. General anesthesia is typically used because most studies require the patient to remain motionless for a few minutes. A CT scan can take a few minutes to an hour depending on the complexity of the exam, the size of the patient, and the number of body regions examined. After the CT scan is acquired and the patient is awake, CT images can be further processed and reconstructed into two-dimensional and three-dimensional images using computer manipulation for further analysis as radiologists evaluate the images.