First animal MRI clinic opens in Christchurch as more Kiwis willing to spend big on their pets' health
New Zealand’s first dedicated animal MRI clinic has opened in Christchurch as a growing number of Kiwis are willing to invest in their pets’ care, including one man who spent $75,000 flying his cat to Auckland to be operated on by a top animal surgeon.
Pacific Radiology has teamed up with McMaster & Heap veterinary practice in Hoon Hay to offer the service using the same technology currently used to treat human patients.
Able to scan animals less than 180 centimetres in circumference, the wide bore MRI technology can be used on household pets, farm animals and some zoo animals, including tigers.
Costing upwards of $3500, MRI is considered the gold standard of veterinary diagnostic treatment according to McMaster & Heap veterinarian Michelle McMaster, but they have not been widely used on animals.
Used to look inside a body, Magnetic Resonance Imaging utilises magnetic fields and radio waves to create a three-dimensional image, providing accurate high resolution images of an animal’s brains, spine, limbs and joints.
For the past four years McMaster has been taking pets that needed an MRI to Forté Health, but the scans had to be fitted around human patients and were often undertaken at night.
With clients prepared to spend more money on their pets, McMasters, who has been working as a vet for over 30 years, has been helping scan up to nine animals a month alongside Pacific Radiology MRI Animal Imaging Lead Gareth Leeper using Forté Health.
Christchurch pet owner Justin, who did not want his last name used, knows all too well how important having an MRI facility close at hand is after Sashenka (pictured), his 14-year-old Norwegian Forest cat, became ill in 2019.
After many tests and with no diagnosis a CT scan eventually showed Sashenka had a meningioma tumour.
Considered to be his fur daughter, Justin, whose partner is expecting their first child, had no hesitation in making an appointment and flying her to Auckland to be operated on by a top animal surgeon.
There Sashenka could get an MRI scan that would enable the surgery to take place – without it she would not have survived.
“It was critical,” Justin says.
Sashenka made a miraculous recovery from the operation but required a further five scans, two CT scans and three rounds of chemotherapy before she died two years later.
Town and Country vet Roger Bay and his team euthanise a growing number of animals at home, where the pet’s last memory is of its happy place.
Although Justin estimates he spent around $75,000 on Sashenka’s care, he has no regrets and is part of a growing number of Kiwis willing to invest in their pet’s care.
“She was my everything…my fur daughter and my best friend.”
McMaster said most pet owners that come to her clinic will try and fix “everything”.
“We very rarely put anything down.”
PD Insurance NZ chief operating officer Michelle Le Long said year-on-year they have seen growth in the pet insurance market, although she thinks the market is still under-insured with less than 25% of the estimated 1.7 companion pets not insured.
Le Long said it wasn’t unusual to have pet owners in their early 20s signing on as the value of pets have increased.
A lot of insurers covered diagnostic MRI scans, she said.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64% Yes
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33.4% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
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Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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