CT imaging in small animals

In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the availability of cross-sectional imaging techniques in veterinary medicine. CT is now readily accessible in many veterinary universities and referral institutions and is gaining acceptance for the investigation of many diseases. The last 10 years have seen a significant increase in CT related clinical research and various comparative studies have demonstrated the advantages of this modality compared to the previous cornerstones of veterinary imaging – radiography and ultrasonography. Currently CT is used mainly at secondary referral centres after radiography and ultrasonography has been performed at veterinary first opinion level. Eventually CT may become a standard first-line choice in imaging just as it is in human medicine. The general public has grown increasingly aware of the availability of cross-sectional diagnostic imaging techniques for companion animals and may trigger raised demands for cross-sectional imaging in veterinary medicine. The purposes of this article are threefold: To give an overview of the current availability of CT for veterinarians; to present the challenges facing the veterinary profession in delivering CT to their patients; and to review some current clinical applications of veterinary CT.