Page 13 - ACT Annual Review August 2020 - July 2021

OUR IMPACT ON PETS

The ACT funds pioneering equipment which loupes enabled the surgeons to see Charlie’s Tests indicated the cause might be inflammatory
is often used for the first time, in a veterinary nerves and blood vessels in great detail. Dr Vicki polymyopathy, an uncommon hereditary disease.
context, at the RVC. The RVC often needs Baldrey, RVC Lecturer in Exotic Species and Small The Tru Trace equipment enabled the RVC
to adapt equipment designed for human Mammal Medicine explained, Neurology Team to study Vinnie’s muscles in a non-
medicine for the multiple species and sizes “Speed is important with small patients as we invasive way and confirm without doubt that this
of animals that are treated in its hospitals don’t want to keep them under anaesthesia for a rare diagnosis was correct. Vinnie was immediately
thereby advancing veterinary medicine. This prolonged time. Charlie’s prognosis is excellent – given treatment and he gradually started to
year we were delighted to hear about the he’s making a good recovery and is coping well improve. Vinnie is now putting on weight and his
impact of new ACT-funded equipment which on one foot.” family are delighted to have him home.
supports the RVC’s Exotics Service which Dr Abbe Crawford, Clinician in Neurology and
sees the tiniest patients. We’ve also funded The RVC’s Small Animal Referral Hospital Neurosurgery, told us, “The Neurogen Tru Trace
equipment to help diagnose neurological in Hertfordshire was awarded a grant by the machine has become a key addition to our
diseases which can be especially challenging ACT to purchase the Neurogen Tru Trace neurology service supporting our clinical and
to confirm in patients who cannot speak Electrodiagnostic system. This arrived in Spring research abilities. With this device we can continue
for themselves. 2022 and was immediately put to work. Previously, to provide state-of-the-art care for our patients.”
to diagnose neurological conditions RVC clinicians
Thanks to ACT funding, this year the RVC’s had to take blood samples and send them to the
Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital took delivery USA for testing. This was expensive and took
of its new radio-surgical unit and surgical loupes. several weeks. The Tru Trace system enables the
Radiosurgery uses radiation rather than a traditional team to examine the patient painlessly, recording
scalpel. The use of ionizing radiation rather than a muscle movement and detecting anomalies
blade means the patient is less likely to bleed – this immediately. This prompt and accurate diagnosis
is hugely beneficial for small animals who don’t means that treatment can start much earlier
have a lot of blood. Surgical loupes are essentially than before.
magnifying lenses which enable surgeons to
see tiny structures in detail and perform complex Vinnie arrived at the RVC having lost his appetite
procedures quickly and effectively. and regurgitating when he did manage to eat,
unusual signs for a 15-month-old Vizsla. He was at
When Charlie, a 26-year-old parrot, needed risk of developing aspiration pneumonia due to the
amputation of his left foot, the new equipment was regurgitation so quick action was needed.
put to use. The ability to control the bleeding made
surgery faster and more efficient and the surgical

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