The MRI service is headed by Mr Richard Rowe with the assistance of Mr Ian Jennings.
Rowe Referrals offer a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) service at its Bradley Stoke Hospital on a monthly basis using a high field unit (1-1.5T) that enables us to produce the highest quality images for maximum diagnostic yield.In addition Rowe Referrals have daily access to a second high field MRI Scanner allowing for urgent and short notice MRI imaging using the same state of the art high field scanning technology.The MRI service has become invaluable in diagnosing numerous neurological disorders and Dr. Mike Targett, an RCVS & European Specialist Neurologist, is on site every 4 weeks to help direct scans and will interpret the images in all cases.
MRI is now a valuable resource in the diagnosis of orthopaedic conditions and is particularly helpful with the investigation of joint disease. Rowe Referrals MRI service has been at the forefront in developing the standards for joint imaging and has orthopaedic surgeons experienced in interpreting the images produced.MRI has also become increasingly utilised at Rowe Referrals across disciplines and is routinely used for the diagnosis and surgical planning of oncology cases, soft tissue surgery, retrobulbar disease as well as the detection of difficult to locate foreign bodies.Cases are accepted for scanning alone (please contact us to discuss any general anaesthesia or other concerns) or to one of our referral departments (neurology, ophthalmology or surgery) with a view to arranging an MRI.
What happens when the pet has an MRI scan?
The pet will be admitted to the scanning centre prior to the scan so that a physical examination can be carried out along with blood tests where necessary. In order to keep still for the duration of the scan (usually about 30 minutes) the pet will require a general anaesthetic. Once anaesthetised the patient will be positioned on the scan table by one of our highly experienced radiographers who will then carry out a number of scans in various planes to give our Veterinary Surgeon all the information that he or she requires to reach a diagnosis.
Usually, after a few hours the pet will have recovered sufficiently to go home provided no further treatment or investigations are required. There are no known side effects and the procedure is completely harmless.