The Royal Veterinary College has announced the installation of what it describes as one of the most advanced CT scanners in any veterinary facility, anywhere in the world.

The College says the speed and accuracy of scans produced by the new scanner will revolutionise the treatment of animals at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA). It also reduces the need for animals to be anaesthetised before being scanned, with most patients now only requiring partial sedation.

The new scanner has been named the 'Otter Scanner' after a patient of the RVC whose owner was made a significant donation towards the RVC's charity, the Animal Care Trust, which funded the new machine.

Professor Dan Chan, Professor of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine and Medical Director of the QMHA at the RVC, said: "It is very uncommon that such an incredible leap in the care of animals can be achieved with a single innovation.

"Because of the vast improvement in speed and quality of the images produced by the ‘Otter Scanner’ our specialists are now able to obtain much more detailed images of various diseases affecting our patients so that the best possible treatment can be planned.

"At the RVC, one of our most important missions is to always improve the welfare and care of animals and this latest innovation is just another example of that commitment. We are forever grateful to all our supporters who have made this possible."

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