Ionizing radiation is increasingly used in veterinary medicine Business

Activities with sources of ionizing radiation must be legalized, taking into account the requirements established by legislation, and how these requirements are met is evaluated by the specialists of the Radiation Protection Center (RSC), paying particular attention to the radiation safety of veterinarians, persons assisting them and animals.

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• 20 years ago, veterinarians used equipment used in medical facilities. Now the situation has changed – veterinary clinics purchase specialized x-ray diagnostic machines for veterinary use.
• X-ray diagnostic procedures are usually performed in veterinary medicine. The variety of equipment is wide: stationary, mobile, dental intraoral X-ray diagnostic devices, computer tomographs.
• Animals are often quite mobile, therefore, during X-ray diagnostic procedures, animal movements have to be restrained with auxiliary means – belts, braces, couches, holders, etc.
• X-rays are usually carried out on cats and dogs, but RSC staff have seen X-ray images of turtles, snakes and lizards.
• In terms of radiation safety, ionizing radiation equipment used in veterinary medicine is no different from that used in medicine.
• Preparation and continuous training of veterinary specialists in radiation protection issues is one of the most important radiation protection measures in order to reduce the exposure of workers and animals.

There is a growing number of equipment specifically for veterinary use

Recently, it has been observed that Lithuanian veterinary institutions are acquiring more and more newer diagnostic equipment that uses ionizing radiation. The number of various diagnostic and treatment procedures for animals is increasing, and veterinarians are increasingly using methods that until recently were only intended for the treatment of humans – diagnostic nuclear medicine or radiation therapy.

In addition, conventional x-ray diagnostic tests are being replaced by more complex interventional radiology and computed tomography tests, which require more professional knowledge and competence of employees. Head of RSC Radiation Safety Supervision Department. specialist Dovilė Šerėnaitė-Pečiulė says that 20 years ago, veterinarians usually used equipment used in medical institutions – it was technically in order and still usable, so veterinary institutions purchased it and examined animals.

20 years ago, veterinarians typically used equipment used in medical facilities.

Now the situation has completely changed – veterinary clinics purchase specialized x-ray diagnostic machines, specifically for veterinary use. “The equipment for animal research is more comfortable, has different animal-specific settings, and has many different accessories, such as special harnesses, restraints, beds, etc.

All this makes the work of veterinarians easier, the tests are of higher quality, the diagnoses are more accurate, and the new equipment makes it possible to perform more complex tests,” says the RSC specialist.

Nuclear diagnostics and radiation therapy are used less often in veterinary medicine

Head of the radiation safety supervision department. specialist Dovilė Šerėnaitė-Pečiulė notices that, with the emergence of more modern equipment using ionizing radiation, veterinarians are interested in obtaining as much knowledge as possible in order to be able to fully utilize the available equipment, properly choose its parameters, obtain clear research images, and at the same time maximally protect the researched animals.

RSC archive photo. /From the RSC Archives

“Previously, veterinarians lacked knowledge, there was no necessary training, they had to personally consult with radiologists working in medicine, and now the situation has changed – future veterinarians are taught the basics of radiology at the university according to special programs specifically for veterinary specialists,” the RSC specialist notes.

In veterinary practice, as in medicine, X-ray diagnostic procedures are usually performed. The variety of radiology equipment is wide: stationary, mobile, dental intraoral X-ray diagnostic machines, computer tomographs.

Diagnostic nuclear medicine, which uses radiopharmaceuticals containing radionuclides to diagnose diseases, and radiation therapy are also used. However, the equipment used in radiation therapy, which means the treatment of animals itself, is extremely expensive, it requires qualified and competent specialists, so this method of treatment is not yet used in Lithuania, and in other countries of the world it is more often used for scientific purposes.

Nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures for animals are also not applied in Lithuania, but are applied in Great Britain, Norway, Belgium, USA and other countries. In principle, nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures in animals are no different from analogous procedures in humans.

The specificity of diagnostics is determined by the condition of the animals

Speaking regarding radiological diagnostics in veterinary medicine, RSC specialist D. Šerėnaitė-Pečiulė notes that animal diagnostics are characterized by the fact that animals are often quite mobile, therefore, during X-ray diagnostic procedures, the animals’ movements have to be restrained by auxiliary means – belts, braces, couches, holders and etc. These tools should not cause pain and suffering to the animals, but help veterinarians quickly and qualitatively perform the examination and obtain a valuable image.

Nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures for animals are no different from analogous procedures for humans.

“If the animal’s condition allows, it is put to sleep with drugs. The advantage is that no one needs to hold it, the animal is properly secured, and the veterinarian gets the quality and projection image needed to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.

If the animal cannot be put to sleep due to the animal’s condition or for other reasons, then it needs to be supported. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to properly keep the animal in the right position, for example, it is extremely difficult to do this when the animal is injured, so the helper must be well instructed on how to behave during the procedure”, says D. Šerėnaitė-Pečiulė. The specialist reveals that X-ray diagnostic tests are usually performed on cats and dogs, but RSC staff have seen X-ray diagnostic images of turtles, snakes and lizards.

It is also interesting that some veterinarians work in field conditions, not only in veterinary clinics. These are cases where large animals are studied – horses in stables, cattle on farms, etc.

Then an assistant is also involved in the X-ray diagnostic procedure. To protect the assistant from unnecessary exposure, he is instructed on how to behave during the procedure and given protective equipment (as in examinations in veterinary clinics). It is extremely important that the work is done quickly, accurately, and that everyone knows what to do and follows instructions.

Preparation and training of specialists is one of the most important measures of radiation protection

“From the point of view of radiation safety, the equipment emitting ionizing radiation used in veterinary medicine does not differ at all from that used in medicine – it is subject to the same requirements for ensuring radiation safety and quality control – the equipment must be in technical order, maintained, employees – trained, instructed not only in radiation safety, but also issues of work with ionizing radiation sources.

Greta Skaraitiene’s photo. / BNS photo. /Head of the Radiation Safety Supervision Department of the RSC. specialist Dovilė Šerėnaitė-Pečiulė

Veterinarians working with this equipment must complete a radiation safety training course once every five years in a program for veterinary workers. Radiation safety requirements in veterinary medicine are determined by the rules of Radiation Safety in Veterinary medicine, prepared taking into account the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the regulatory authorities of various countries.

If a veterinarian plans to perform routine x-ray diagnostic tests, he needs to be qualified and trained to work with a specific model of x-ray diagnostic equipment.

Veterinary institutions must prepare a procedure for the performance, registration and accounting of procedures and instructions describing how the persons assisting should behave during the investigation.

The RSC pays a lot of attention to familiarizing veterinary workers with radiation protection requirements, publishes publications for them, and organizes seminars. Preparation and continuous training of veterinary specialists in radiation protection issues is one of the most important radiation protection measures in order to reduce the exposure of workers and animals.

The Radiation Protection Center inspects veterinary establishments

As part of radiation safety oversight, veterinary facilities carrying out X-ray diagnostics are inspected by RSC officers. Head of RSC Radiation Safety Supervision Department. specialist D. Šerėnaitė-Pečiulė says that such institutions are inspected in a planned manner according to the annual inspection plan prepared every year or during unscheduled inspections, when the veterinary clinic acquires new equipment or replaces an old device with a new one.

During inspections, compliance with all radiation safety requirements is assessed, documentation is reviewed and evaluated, quality control tests have been performed on time, employees have been trained to work with new equipment, etc.”

The best results, in order to carry out the work with high quality and to reduce the exposure of veterinary clinic staff, helping persons and the animals themselves, are obtained when the staff of veterinary clinics responsible for ensuring radiation protection and the RSC combine theoretical and practical knowledge.

For more information on radiation safety, see – Radiation safety of Lithuanian people.