If your pet has ever needed a referral for advanced diagnostic imaging, then the cost may have come as a bit of a surprise. Finances are one of the main reasons that put owners off from further investigations, especially if their pet is uninsured. As well as wondering how to cover the bill, you might have also been left asking ‘Why does it cost that much?’. We’re going to take a look at advanced diagnostic imaging in more detail as well as where your money is being spent.

Table of contents

What is advanced imaging?

Advanced imaging is a term used to describe diagnostic imaging modalities that are not available to most standard vets. Vets in general practice rely on ultrasound, X-rays and perhaps endoscopy. These are great for many things, but there are occasions when advanced imaging is required. The following are all examples of advanced diagnostic imaging that we use for animal patients – 

MRI Scans

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that uses large magnets to produce detailed images of the inside of your pet’s body. It produces a series of images, like slices or cross-sections; allowing vets to look at areas of interest without other anatomical structures getting in the way. MRI is frequently used to image the spinal cord and brain. So it is particularly useful for patients with suspected spinal disc issues or brain lesions. It may also be used to produce detailed images of other soft tissues in the body such as the abdomen or their muscles. The scan can take a little while, with your pet slowly moving through the tunnel-like machine. Your pet will need to stay still during this entire time, so an anaesthetic is administered.

CT scan

Computed Tomography (CT) scanners use X-rays to capture their images. The unit is ring-shaped with the relevant area of interest placed through it so that X-rays can be obtained in all 360 degrees. This scan is relatively quick to perform. But your pet will need to be still and anaesthetic is therefore almost always required. CT scans tend to be best used on bone and joints, but may also be used for issues like nasal disease or inner ear infections. As the machinery is smaller than an MRI scanner it tends to be more readily available in more veterinary hospitals.

Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is useful for analysing moving body structures, producing an X-ray video. The continuous X-ray beam passes through the body and is transmitted to a monitor for the vet to view. A common application would be to observe what happens when a dog swallows. For example, if they have a suspected issue with their oesophagus (food pipe). Your dog will be given a meal that contains a contrast medium (such as barium) and scanned as it eats to look for abnormalities. Fluoroscopy is also used in dogs with suspected bladder issues. A contrast medium is used to highlight the urine, with the scan showing us what happens to it in real-time as it passes through the urinary system. Depending on the type of scan taking place, anaesthesia may or may not be needed. 

Why does advanced imaging cost so much?

When you are presented with an estimate for your pet’s scan it can be hard to know exactly what your money is paying for. Let’s break this down into a basic overview as follows –

  • First of all, your money is helping to pay for the diagnostic equipment which will have been a large initial outlay for the veterinary hospital that owns it. Remember too that an MRI scanner will be much pricier than something like an ultrasound machine. Your money will also be going towards the general upkeep and running of the machinery.
  • Your estimate may include other things such as anaesthetic drugs, contrast media and hospitalisation of your pet for the day (or longer if they are very sick)
  • You will also need to cover the cost of the staff needed to run these scans. This includes the experienced, often specialist, vets who have obtained advanced qualifications in their field of interest. They are specially trained to interpret the scans, which many average general practitioner vets can not. It will also include paying other staff such as the veterinary anaesthetist (who will be monitoring your pet under their anaesthetic), the veterinary nurses who will be assisting and caring for your pet in their recovery, as well as any other support staff involved at all in your pet’s case such as the hospital receptionists.
  • Veterinary bills also need to help cover the general costs of running the hospital. This includes lighting, heating, rent on the building, cleaning and maintenance. 
  • Your bill will include some profit for the veterinary hospital. No business is viable without profit and this is the amount left over after all of the costs above have been paid. Veterinary practices are not all that profitable, with most only making 10% at best (compare this to average UK service businesses that take just under 15% and the large energy companies that make over 40% profit). Profit is essential to continue improving that business. It allows new equipment to be purchased, additional staff to be hired and more investment to be made in staff training – all of which results in better patient care. 

Ok, but why is advanced imaging more expensive for animals than it is for people?

The NHS shields most of us from the costs of medical treatment. The bottom line is that medicine and healthcare are expensive. We are not used to seeing it itemised, other than at the vets. However, if you have ever paid for a private MRI or CT scan then you may have found the cost to be a bit lower than what you would pay for that of your cat or dog. 

Firstly, sedation or anaesthetic is not usually required for human patients. This immediately lowers costs in terms of the time taken, drugs used, hospitalisation time and monitoring staff needed. 

Secondly, human equipment is used much more frequently than veterinary equipment. Multiple patients making use of a scanner (in a human hospital) can help pay towards it more easily than fewer patients only using it occasionally (in a veterinary hospital). Sadly this does mean the premium is higher for our animal patients, to cover all of the costs outlined above.

While vets used to be able to save money by renting “down time” on human machines in private hospitals, this almost never happens nowadays. There are a number of reasons why. But the increased demand on human scanners, and concerns around infection and allergies, have largely closed this option.

Until we reach a stage where the majority of pets are insured, and we can send more and more patients for scans; the cost of advanced diagnostic imaging is likely to stay much the same. 

Final thoughts

Advanced imaging is extremely useful in helping us to diagnose more complicated cases. This can prove invaluable to the health and well-being of that patient. However, as with all veterinary care, it is chargeable and for some owners, this may be beyond what they can afford. If your vet advises advanced imaging for your pet, then speak to them about any concerns you may have. 

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