Health Tech – Innovative MRI team revolutionize animal healthcare

The doors to New Zealand’s first dedicated animal MRI clinic opened this week in Christchurch, Canterbury.

Pacific Radiology have applied their industry leading expertise to revolutionise animal healthcare in New Zealand – opening the first animal MRI clinic dedicated solely to the health and well-being of our furry friends.

With over 65% of New Zealand household having pets – this clinic will be servicing one of the most ‘pet-friendly’ nations on the planet. However, when it comes to healthcare the industry has historically faced long waiting lists for lower quality diagnostic equipment – resulting in delays in treatment, misdiagnosis, and ineffective treatment plans – and it is exactly these issues this new clinic aims to tackle.

Pacific Radiology’s Canterbury Regional Manager, Adrianne Hayes notes that the new Canterbury animal MRI clinic is an exciting addition to their commitment in providing local communities access to leading edge imaging and diagnostic services.

” We have always been committed to delivering world class-radiology within our communities – and I couldn’t be more excited to extend that commitment to include New Zealand’s first and only animal dedicated MRI clinic”, says Adrianne Hayes.

Located in Hoon Hay, Christchurch; this new animal dedicated MRI clinic is the brainchild of Pacific Radiology’s MRI Project Lead Gareth Leeper and the result of a successful working collaborative partnership formed with the progressive family run McMaster & Heap Veterinarian Practice.

“We are incredibly excited to offer animal healthcare providers and pet owners nationwide unprecedented access to world leading diagnostic tools. Our hope is that our partnership with McMaster & Heap will enable veterinarians nationwide to deliver faster, more effective treatment than ever before”, says Gareth Leeper.

The technology housed in this new clinic is the exact same as that currently used to treat human patients in Pacific Radiology’s award-winning MRI clinics across New Zealand. Providing accurate, high-resolution images of our pets’ brain, spine, limbs and joints – and giving veterinarians the opportunity to make more informed decisions on preventative care and treatment plans.

The wide bore MRI technology enables the team to work with all kinds of animals from household pets and farm animals, through to some of the larger animals in our zoos such as tigers. With the experienced team having already come face to face with native birds, sheep, and tigers; offering a safe and non-invasive means to accurately diagnose numerous health conditions and plan effective surgical remedies.

Michelle McMaster, Veterinarian at McMaster & Heap Veterinarian Practice, highlights the exceptional imaging quality of an MRI and its importance to veterinarians.

“MRI is considered the gold standard in diagnostic imaging. An animal MRI is especially advantageous when dealing with musculoskeletal, brain and spinal disease and injuries. This opportunity means that Canterbury veterinarians, as well as any veterinarian in New Zealand, are now able to access world-class radiology imaging every day,” says Michelle McMaster.