VMC takes steps to update critical technologies
The WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre is replacing two key pieces of equipment: its linear accelerator and the small animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit.
As reported in June 2022, the veterinary teaching hospital was forced to shut down its existing linear accelerator because of substantial mechanical issues. Over the past seven months, the VMC has only been able to offer strontium radiotherapy for small, superficial tumours in patients and consulting about radiation as a treatment option.
Now, the VMC is finalizing plans to purchase and install a state-of-the-art linear accelerator that will allow the hospital's veterinary oncology team to offer a wider range of advanced radiation treatment services to oncology patients. With the new linear accelerator in place, the VMC’s veterinary oncology team will be able to add optimized image-guided radiotherapy and high-speed radiation treatment to its list of services.
As part of the arrangement, the supplying company has agreed to fix the hospital's existing linear accelerator so it can resume operations until the new unit is ready for installation and commissioning. The VMC will update referring veterinarians about its radiation oncology services once dates have been finalized.
In the meantime, the VMC veterinary oncology team continues to provide specialized diagnostic services — including CT, MRI and PET-CT — as well as other oncology treatment options such as chemotherapy and surgical services for primary and referred patients.
As for the small animal MRI unit, the VMC has purchased a newer model to replace its existing unit, which has experienced some maintenance issues. As well, the amount of helium needed to cool down the VMC's older MRI unit has gradually increased over time. Newer machines require reduced quantities of helium — a key component for cooling the imaging technology.
The VMC will update referring veterinarians about the schedule for installation and commissioning of the new MRI machine as soon as details are confirmed.
If anyone has questions or concerns about the hospital’s plans, please contact Dr. Steve Manning (stephen.manning@usask.ca; 306-966-7109).