Bristol Vet Specialists, the £13.5M referral centre based to the north west of the city, reports that it has treated its 100th cancer patient with it's state-of-the-art, £1.7M linear accelerator, 12 months after opening.

The Elekta Infinity linear accelerator is the only one of its kind for pets in England.

CVS says it allowing the centre to offer “cutting edge” image-guided radiation treatments for cancer in cats and dogs – meaning fewer, shorter sessions, fewer side effects and the best possible chance of improved outcomes for the animal.

Delphine Holopherne-Doran, Clinical Director at Bristol Vet Specialists, said: “Our new hospital is now at the forefront of cancer care in animals.

"We have invested in this state-of-the-art technology to bring cancer treatment in pets to the next level.

“Our unique linear accelerator allows us to offer advanced image-guided treatments - for example intensity-modulated or stereotactic radiation therapy.

"The advantage of these treatments is that high dose rates of focused beams are delivered with high precision over a shortened treatment course, with greater safety for the patient’s healthy tissue.

“It has now drawn many tumours into the realm of treatability, it is improving the quality of life for patients, and it is making it easier for owners to manage their pet’s treatment and aftercare.”

Still, the installation of the linear accelerator will probably have cost the same again, and then you've got the running costs.

That's not an inconsiderable cost per patient. 

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.