After completing the expansion of its facilities, Grant Park Animal Hospital is now offering computed tomography (CT) scanning and is experiencing a surge in referrals from clinics across the province.
The machine is the only human-grade CT available for animals in Manitoba. Dr. Jonas Watson says with five clinics already relying on the scanner and more inquiries pouring in, the machine is proving to be a vital addition to Manitoba.
“We’ve really hit the ground running,” shares Dr. Watson, “people have been turning up in droves since we’ve opened the expanded side and made CT available.”
The benefit of a human-grade scanner is that it can accommodate animals of all sizes, like Irish wolfhounds or even small creatures such as birds and lizards.
Dr. Watson, Dr. Chris Bell, and Dr. Tim Kraemer opened Grant Park Animal Hospital in 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic. Dr. Watson says they were unsure what a pandemic would mean for veterinary medicine or if it was a wise decision. However, Dr. Watson says he believes that decision has paid off.
“I have never seen as many puppies in 2020 as I have in my entire career compared to that time. There’s a veterinary shortage all over North America. So there is a need for veterinary medicine and high-quality veterinary medicine in particular, which is what we offer here.”
With that high demand, Dr. Watson and his partners quickly accrued a large clientele, outgrowing their previous space. He says it was then they decided to expand and purchase the CT machine.
“It became clear we needed more. From about a 22,000 square-foot footprint, we added another 3,500 square feet, many more exam rooms, a dedicated surgical suite, a full-service grooming facility, an expanded treatment area, and some dedicated office space. And [we] decided this was an opportune time to bring a really unique and special technology to Manitoba.”
Computed tomography (CT) scanning allows the visualization of parts of the body in three dimensions. It’s a useful technique enabling veterinarians to view and evaluate what’s happening in the body. Vets can then determine if surgical intervention is feasible and assess the involvement of surrounding tissues.
If a veterinarian at Grant Park Animal Hospital or another practice recommends that a pet owner utilize these services, that’s where Registered Veterinary Technologist Jennifer Dakin takes over. She oversees the preparation and scanning process. Animals are first sedated to ensure they remain still during scanning, with a full-body scan for a large dog taking just three to four minutes.
“I’m not kidding, it’s minutes,” says Dakin. “it’s the, the getting them ready, then you know, knocking them out as we call it, and waking them up after. That’s the longest part.”
The scans are then sent to board-certified radiologists in Ontario, who provide detailed reports to guide treatment decisions.
However, these services don’t come cheap. Costs range between $1,600 and $2,200, depending on factors like the need for contrast dye or the number of areas being scanned. Many pet insurance plans cover parts of these procedures, making them more accessible to pet owners.
Dr. Watson notes that for many owners, having this tool gives a greater understanding of what is going on with their animal and what their next steps for treatment can be.
“CT is very common in human medicine. It’s very commonly used for a variety of kinds of pathology,” explains Dr. Watson. “For certain kinds of advanced imaging like MRI and CT, some people have had to make the trip to referral centr es like the veterinary college in Saskatoon. So that’s an eight-hour trek you can potentially avoid.”
As the human-animal bond strengthens and more people get pets, the demand for advanced veterinary services will only grow.
– Ryan Funk, U Multicultural
