New CT Scanner Boosts Veterinary Care at WSU

Upgraded imaging technology at Washington State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital will improve diagnoses and treatment for pets across the region.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Washington State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital has upgraded to a new high-performance CT scanner that provides faster, more detailed imaging with lower radiation exposure for animal patients. The new Canon Aquilion Prime S80 system replaces an older 16-slice scanner and will allow veterinarians to more accurately diagnose complex conditions, especially in emergency and time-sensitive cases.

Why it matters

The new CT scanner represents a major advancement in veterinary imaging capabilities that will benefit pets and their owners throughout the Inland Northwest region. The improved image quality and reduced radiation exposure are expected to lead to better medical outcomes, while the faster scanning and reconstruction speeds will streamline workflow and allow the hospital to serve more patients.

The details

The new 80-slice CT scanner features higher spatial resolution than the previous 16-slice system, producing clearer, more detailed 3D images of organs, bones, and tissues. It also has the ability to take high-quality images at lower radiation doses, reducing exposure for animal patients. Additionally, the scanner's faster rotation and reconstruction speeds of up to 60 images per second will improve workflow and make it especially valuable for emergency cases and other time-sensitive or complex studies.

  • The new CT scanner was recently installed and put into operation at the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital after several weeks of operating without the diagnostic imaging service.
  • Tux, a 14-year-old tuxedo cat, was the first patient to be scanned with the new CT system.

The players

Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital

A veterinary medical facility operated by Washington State University that provides advanced care and diagnostic services for animals.

Dr. Raelynn Farnsworth

The director of the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Tux

A 14-year-old tuxedo cat and beloved pet of the Crouch family in Spokane, Washington.

Meggie Crouch

The owner of Tux, the Spokane resident who brought her cat to the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital for diagnostic imaging.

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What they’re saying

“This new CT represents a major advancement in imaging capability, efficiency, and patient safety, allowing our veterinarians to diagnose complex conditions with greater accuracy while reducing radiation exposure for our animal patients, and it was made possible entirely by our hospital's private donors.”

— Dr. Raelynn Farnsworth, Hospital Director (dailyfly.com)

“It was really nice to have the option of going down to WSU for a CT because our other option was to go to a place that mostly does humans, so I felt like going to WSU was going to be the best for us, not only because of the new technology but also because of the care and compassion that everyone puts into our pets.”

— Meggie Crouch, Pet Owner (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

Tux, the 14-year-old tuxedo cat, will return to the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital in late February for a follow-up CT scan to monitor the changes in his lungs that were detected during the initial scan.

The takeaway

The new high-performance CT scanner at the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital represents a significant upgrade in diagnostic imaging capabilities that will improve medical outcomes for pets throughout the Inland Northwest region. The improved image quality, reduced radiation exposure, and faster scanning speeds will allow veterinarians to provide more accurate diagnoses and streamline care, especially for complex and time-sensitive cases.