Archives: Services

Overview

VRC’s diagnostic imaging department serves patients by supporting all of our clinical specialties. We offer a range of on-site imaging modalities to fit a variety of needs, including:

Digital X-ray (Radiography): Used for diagnosing disease in the chest, abdomen, and musculoskeletal system. We also perform contrast studies of the gastrointestinal and urinary tract to diagnose obstructions. X-rays are typically the first imaging studies ordered to help diagnose problems.

Ultrasound (Sonography): High-frequency sound waves that produce pictures of the inside of the body without radiation. Ultrasound images are captured in real-time to show the structure and movement of the body’s internal organs as well as blood flowing through vessels. Ultrasound imaging can be performed using minimal restraint or sedation and is used to help diagnose conditions such as abdominal pain, pancreatitis, enlarged abdominal organ, and kidney stones. We also use ultrasound to guide needle biopsies, in which a needle is used to extract a sample of cells from organs for laboratory testing.

Computed Tomography (CT scan): A type of X-ray machine that produces multiple images of the inside of the body, in thin, cross-sectional “slices” for viewing. CT scans of internal organs, bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels provide much more detail than conventional X-rays by utilizing advanced software to accentuate areas of interest in two and three dimensions.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An advanced imaging modality that uses powerful magnets to generate electromagnetic fields, which are translated into images composed of a series of “slices.” MRI scans of soft tissue are highly detailed, and unlike CT, use no radiation.

We offer rehabilitative care for:

• Post-operative recovery
• Musculoskeletal Injuries (non-surgical)
• Athletic conditioning
• Neurological conditions
• Senior/geriatric care
• Management of osteoarthritis
• Weight management
• Cancer patients
• Pain management

Rehabilitation Services:

• Acupuncture (including electroacupuncture & aquapuncture):
  

  Uses the ancient art & science of Chinese medicine to restore balance to the body. The Chinese diagnosis dictates the specific placement of fine needles used to treat a variety of conditions including orthopedic, neurological, and systemic conditions.

• Assistive Device Fittings:
  

  We can help with taking measurements and making adjustments for the following:

  • Assistive harnesses
  • Carts/wheelchairs
  • Custom braces
• Custom Home Exercise Programs:
  

  Each client receives a home exercise program tailored to their pet’s specific needs. Clients have access to a portal, which includes a list of prescribed exercises with detailed instructions, as well as instructional videos of each exercise prescribed.

• Diet analysis:
  Evaluation of your pet’s current feeding regimen and activity level to develop a customized feeding plan to achieve or maintain your pet’s ideal weight
• Hydrotherapy:
  The underwater treadmill uses resistance, buoyancy, and heat to allow for low-impact and controlled exercise that helps increase muscle strength, endurance, and mobility.
• Electrical Stimulation (tens & nmes):
  

  Electrical stimulation can be used to re-educate muscles that have atrophied or to reduce pain and spasms.

• Laser Therapy (Photobiomodulation):
  

  This noninvasive therapy uses light at specific wavelengths that stimulate the body to decrease pain and inflammation and promote healing.

• Massage Therapy:
  • Therapeutic Massage:
    

    Massage is used to increase blood flow, and the circulation of fluids in the body to flush toxins, resulting in increased flexibility and decreased muscle tension. This is beneficial in injury recovery, geriatric patients, and athletes.

  • Tui-na (Targeted Chinese Therapeutic Massage):
    This hands-on therapy follows the principles of acupressure to treat a variety of orthopedic, neurological, and systemic conditions.
• Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) – Assisi Products:
  A non-pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory device (NPAID) that uses a microcurrent electromagnetic signal to increase blood flow to a targeted area, decreasing pain and inflammation, and promoting healing.
• Therapeutic Exercise Session:
  Patients are taken through a series of exercises, that gradually evolve as the patient progresses. These sessions combine exercises targeted toward strengthening, stretching, improving balance and proprioception, and gait training.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound:
  Uses sound waves to promote tissue warming to treat soft tissue conditions, chronic inflammation, muscle spasms, and trigger points.

Please contact our Rehabilitation Team for more details and to find out how we can help your pet.

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Surgery is a key strategy for managing cancer in small animals. Surgical removal of the malignant tumor sometimes offers the best chance for a cure. Other times, surgery is useful for diagnostics, palliation (reducing pain and symptoms), and debulking (partial removal of a tumor to make chemotherapy or radiotherapy more effective) when a cure is not possible. Part of a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of pet cancer, surgery may be combined with preoperative and/or postoperative therapies (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy) to maximize patient benefits and cure rates while minimizing adverse side effects.

If your pet needs surgery for cancer treatment, together we will weigh the risks and factors such as stage of the disease, quality of life after surgery, prognosis, concurrent diseases, and costs, so you can make an informed decision.

Medical and Radiation Oncology

Medical Oncology VRC features dedicated chemotherapy suites to ensure safe and controlled administration of chemotherapeutic agents. Chemotherapy may be indicated for treating your pet’s cancer—either alone or in combination with other modalities, such as surgery or radiation therapy. While animals can experience side effects from chemotherapy, they are typically less severe than those experienced by humans. As with any procedure, our doctors review the risks and benefits of chemotherapy with pet owners and work closely with referring veterinarians to monitor and manage any side effects.

Radiation Oncology VRC is one of a few veterinary hospitals in the country to offer the state of the art Varian Halcyon linear accelerator and Eclipse treatment planning system.  The Halcyon’s capabilities include Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Volumetric arc therapy (VMAT), Stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT), and Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

• Modulates the radiation beam to deposit increased dose to the tumor while decreasing the dose to the normal tissues
• Allows the treatment of multiple sites during the same treatment
• Provides pain relief
• Minimizes side effects
• Offers improved quality of life
• Consists of 5-20 treatments

Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT)

• Advanced type of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
• Radiation is delivered continuously in an arc
• Treatment times are much faster than conventional radiation therapy
• More conformed dose distribution

Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) and Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)

• Higher does of radiation are given then traditional radiation treatments
• Fewer side effects versus conventional radiation therapy
• Fewer number of anesthetic events required for treatment
• Curative intent radiation doses given within 1 week
• Consists of 1-5 treatments

This advanced equipment enables us to address cancers previously thought to be untreatable by delivering high radiation doses directly to the cancer cells, thus sparing normal surrounding tissues. For some localized tumors, it offers a potential cure. In cases where pets have other life-limiting diseases or a cure is not possible, a lower overall dose of radiation therapy can be given to reduce pain, shrink the tumor, or slow its growth. This is called palliative radiation therapy.

To view a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding radiation oncology at VRC, click HERE.