Neurology

Sonopet

The ACT was delighted to award £40,476 to the QMHA’s neurology department to purchase an ultrasonic surgical system called Sonopet. This equipment is used by our clinicians to treat dogs and cats with deep neurological tumours.

In the past these would have been considered inoperable due to their location and the subsequent secondary damage which would be caused by the traditional invasive surgical techniques. Our clinicians are now able to treat large numbers of cases referred to the hospital and expect to see significantly increased survival rates.

After the Sonopet was used for the first time to remove a brain tumour from a nine year old Cocker Spaniel, Holger Volk, Senior Clinician said:

 “The Sonopet is a great piece of surgical equipment, as unlike other procedures it preserves certain tissues such as blood vessels and nerves. It also eliminates the danger of local damage, a common consequence of trauma to the brain tissue. During the operation very little damage to the brain and the blood vessels were caused; the tumour was removed accurately and our patient was up and about 25 minutes after surgery! It’s great that we can really make a difference.”

Brainsight neuronavigation system

 The ACT has also recently funded the Brainsight neuronavigation system for the QMHA’s neurology department. The system will enable cats and dogs to have cancerous tumours removed from the brain, which have previously been inoperable due to their deep location.

 The system accurately targets located masses, which will reduce the risks of secondary damage to important parts of the brain and significantly increase survival rates and improve outcomes for brain tumour patients.

 The QMHA team are currently receiving training on this fantastic equipment and hope to have it in use very soon. Thank you for helping us to secure this amazing equipment which will greatly improve the services offered at the QMHA.