New CT scanner at WSU to Benefit Pets Throughout the Northwest

The Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine has unveiled a major upgrade at its Veterinary Teaching Hospital: a new state-of-the-art CT scanner designed to deliver faster diagnoses, clearer images, and improved patient safety for animals across the Inland Northwest.

The hospital recently replaced its 2010-era scanner with the Aquilion Prime S80 system from Canon. The previous machine captured 16 slices per rotation, suitable for routine imaging but limited for more complex cases. The new system produces 80 slices per rotation, dramatically increasing spatial resolution and image detail.

For clinicians, that means sharper 3D views of organs, bones, and soft tissues. For patients, it means more precise diagnostics with lower radiation exposure. The upgraded scanner is capable of acquiring and reconstructing images at speeds of up to 60 images per second, making it especially valuable in emergency and time-sensitive cases.

Hospital leadership emphasized that the system improves not only imaging capability but also efficiency and safety. The ability to capture high-quality images at lower radiation doses represents a significant advancement in veterinary diagnostic imaging. The project was funded entirely through private donor support.

The new CT scanner is already making a difference. Its first patient, a 14-year-old tuxedo cat named Tux, was referred to WSU after a routine chest X-ray at his primary veterinarian revealed a lung mass. The CT scan provided critical additional detail, confirming there were no other large masses while identifying smaller changes that will be monitored over time.

For Tux’s family, having access to advanced imaging within a veterinary-specific hospital was invaluable. While a human imaging facility was another option, they felt more confident pursuing care in a setting dedicated to animal medicine.

With the new system now fully operational, WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital is positioned to serve more patients, shorten diagnostic timelines, and enhance outcomes for complex cases. For the region’s referring veterinarians and pet owners, the upgrade represents more than new equipment. It is a step forward in delivering advanced, compassionate care closer to home.