6 Surprising Reasons Veterinary MRI Costs More Than Human MRI
Hey, fellow pet lovers! Have you ever wondered why vet imaging can cost you an arm and a leg? As pet owners, we understand your love and care for your furry companions. They’re a part of your family and deserve the best possible healthcare. However, when faced with the cost of veterinary diagnostic imaging, many of us are taken aback by the price tag. Why does veterinary imaging seem to be more expensive than its human counterpart?
In this blog post, we will delve into the factors contributing to higher costs, focusing on staffing, equipment, and rising supplies expenses. Additionally, we will highlight how Sage Veterinary Imaging provides cost-effective veterinary diagnostic imaging services by eliminating extra fees that can burden pet owners.
So why is your pet’s MRI more expensive than your MRI? Read the 6 most surprising reasons below!
If your pet needs an MRI, talk to your vet about options for advanced imaging services in your area.
1 - Specialized Staffing Requirements
Your furry friends need specialized and highly-skilled staff to ensure that their imaging procedures are done accurately and safely. Hardworking people like veterinary radiologists and technicians undergo extensive training to care for our beloved pets. Unfortunately, there aren't many of these specialized professionals out there, which leads to higher wages and staffing costs.
We know costs can be a burden and a deciding factor in whether you choose to proceed with diagnostic imaging for your pets. Bear in mind that our costs ensure educated, trained, and expert care for the safety and health of your pets. We are also here to talk you through your options.
2 - The Medical Needs of Your Pet
This is where veterinary diagnostic imaging really differs from human imaging centers. To get high-quality diagnostic images, your pet must remain perfectly still during the MRI, CT, or Ultrasound. Unlike people, we can’t just tell them not to move. The good news is that most patients don’t need anesthesia with CT or Ultrasound, just a few helping hands from our technicians.
However, patients must be anesthetized to complete a successful MRI. This means that they have to receive a high level of medical monitoring and attention to their vital signs from highly trained staff, including a supervising veterinarian and an anesthesia technician.
In human medicine, these additional staff members and all of the expensive monitoring equipment are not required, meaning prices are much lower for human patients. The biggest impact of providing anesthesia is our entire facility has to be designed and equipped to provide medical care at the same level as a veterinary hospital, whereas human imaging facilities can be much smaller and more straightforward, with far fewer staff.
Sage Veterinary Imaging uses 3T MRI, the most accurate imaging equipment for veterinary MRI.
3 - High-End Equipment and Maintenance
Did you know that veterinary diagnostic imaging can be just as fancy and high-tech as what you'd find in a human hospital? At Sage Veterinary Imaging, we offer top-of-the-line equipment for your beloved cats and dogs, giving them the best care possible!
Our state-of-the-art imaging equipment has twice the resolution and completes scans in half the time compared to older models commonly used in the veterinary industry. This means quicker and more accurate results for your furry friends.
Investing in advanced systems like the 3T MRI with stronger magnets and sophisticated sequencing options allows our veterinarians to obtain clearer and more comprehensive images. This, in turn, enables them to create effective treatment plans tailored to your pet's needs.
While the cost of using such cutting-edge equipment is higher, you receive the best care because we don’t compromise on quality. That's why we maintain all our imaging gear with complete vendor service contracts. Factory-trained personnel regularly perform maintenance and calibration to ensure you and your vet get the highest image quality available.
Other facilities may try to save some money by using third-party vendors for servicing. But we prioritize the accuracy and reliability of our results. We also know we have to balance providing you with the best possible care with keeping things financially feasible.
Rest assured though, your pets get the best of the best with Sage Veterinary Imaging - precisely what they deserve!
4 - Rising Costs of Supplies
Vet diagnostic imaging is becoming more expensive because of the rising cost of supplies. These materials include contrast agents, digital sensors, anesthesia drugs, and other vital monitoring equipment needed for accurate and safe pet imaging. Because there is less demand for these supplies than human medical supplies, their prices are often significantly higher.
Unfortunately, this means that vet clinics have to take on these elevated costs which can ultimately affect the overall cost of your pet’s imaging.
5 - Location of the Veterinary Practice
Where you live might affect the price of your furry friend's MRI or CT. It's true! If you're in a big city with high living costs (looking at you, San Francisco), you might be paying more for your pup's scan. But don't worry; there are still great options out there that won't break the bank. We've got your back, and your dog's too!
6 - Number of Scans Needed
The cost of veterinary diagnostic imaging can increase based on the number of studies ordered by the referring veterinarian. Since animals cannot communicate their discomfort, veterinarians may need to scan multiple body regions to identify or rule out potential issues, leading to additional expenses.
At Sage Veterinary Imaging, your pet’s health is our top priority and we work to keep our services affordable and accessible.
Sage Veterinary Imaging: A Cost-Effective Approach
While veterinary diagnostic imaging may appear generally expensive, our company takes a unique approach to provide cost-effective services to pet owners. We aim to make pet care more accessible and affordable without compromising quality.
Here's how we achieve this:
We believe in upfront and transparent pricing. Our pricing structure ensures that pet owners know exactly what they are paying for, eliminating any surprises or hidden fees.
Unlike some animal hospitals, we do not impose additional fees for services such as handling, administration, or consultation. By removing these extra charges, we provide a more streamlined and affordable experience for pet owners.
Our company emphasizes efficient resource management to reduce overhead costs. We invest in cutting-edge technology and regularly maintain our equipment to ensure accurate diagnostics while keeping expenses in check.
We will never recommend an MRI when a lower-cost CT, X-ray, or Ultrasound will likely provide an answer. For instance, if it’s likely an MRI would uncover a diagnosis that requires surgery, and you tell us that you aren’t in a position to pay for the surgery, we may recommend that you skip the MRI. Instead focusing on pain management or other treatments with your pet’s primary veterinarian.
Diagnostic imaging is often just the first step in your pet’s path to healing, and we don’t want you wasting your money unnecessarily.
In summary, veterinary diagnostic imaging carries higher costs than its human counterpart due to factors such as specialized staffing requirements, the medical needs of the patients, expensive equipment, and the rising costs of supplies. However, by understanding these underlying factors, pet owners can understand why these expenses are incurred.
As we continue to innovate and find new ways to deliver affordable care, we remain dedicated to the well-being of your furry companions.
Sage Veterinary Imaging is proud to serve Round Rock, TX (pictured) and Sandy, Utah.
Where To Find MRI for Dogs in Texas or Utah
Sage Veterinary Imaging has offices in Round Rock, Texas and Sandy, Utah. Dr. Jaime Sage, the founder, received her veterinary training at Texas A&M. After completing a radiology residency, she received further training as an MRI specialist with Patrick Gavin, PhD, DACVR/RO, one of the early pioneers of veterinary MRI.
Dr. Sage is currently president of the CT/MRI society of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and has issued over 20,000 MRI reports over the past 15 years. She lectures frequently at meetings and conferences worldwide.
For more information on where to find an MRI scan for dogs in Texas or Utah, go to our Services page to learn more.
