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Vienna, VA, March 27, 2002 – The Iams Company announced today the opening of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) center to provide state-of-the-art diagnostic care for D.C. area pets.
The Iams Pet Imaging Center houses the most advanced equipment on the market, manufactured by Siemens with technical expertise provided by ProScan, a world leader in MRI technology and education. MRIs are available to area pet owners for their pets at the recommendation of their veterinarian.
"The Iams Company has a long tradition and commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of pets through nutrition," said Dr. Dan Carey, a veterinarian and Director of Technical Communications at Iams Research & Development. "Coupling our expertise with technology provides veterinarians a better way to diagnose and treat their patients’ problems, which makes for happier, healthier pets."
"This is a breakthrough in pet care," said Jeff Ansell, president of The Iams Company. "A terrific partnership has been created to bring state-of-the-art human medical technology to dogs and cats. This is a giant step in helping us succeed in The Iams Company’s mission to enhance the well-being of dogs and cats."
"This technology has proven to be incredibly valuable to humans, and now, MRI will be used to help diagnose pets non-invasively," said Dr. Stephen Pomeranz, founder and president of ProScan International. "We are very excited to make MRI broadly available to help give the best possible care to pets."
To highlight its commitment to enhancing pet health, The Iams Company is commemorating its first diagnostic center with a local donation of services to the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Canine Unit.
Why Pet MRI?
MRI is an advanced diagnostic tool that uses magnetic energy and radio waves to create detailed images of tissue. The resulting pictures allow veterinarians to see more detailed images of injuries and diseases within pets’ bodies than traditional diagnostic tests, such as X-rays. To ensure pets do not move during the sensitive imaging scans, anesthesia is administered prior to the procedure. The center has on staff one of the nation’s few board-certified veterinary anesthesiologists.
MRIs have been widely used in human diagnosis for more than a decade. With this technology, veterinarians now can more accurately determine the case and location of diseases in pets and treat them more efficiently and effectively. MRI identifies conditions such as cancer and orthopedic injuries without invasive exploratory surgery that can sometimes be required.
"The Iams Pet Imaging Center will revolutionize our approach to making accurate diagnoses," said Dr. George Siemering, a leading Washington, D.C. veterinarian. "Better diagnosis leads to better treatment and at times can be lifesaving."
Pet owners need a referral from their veterinarian in order to make an appointment at the Iams Pet Imaging Center. Once the MRI is complete, the results are communicated to the referring veterinarian within 24 hours. The pet owner then consults with his or her veterinarian to decide the best course of treatment for the pet.
The cost of the MRI test varies, but averages about $1,200. Some pet insurance carriers may cover a portion of the cost, depending on the plan.
What Pet Owners Say
In a recent survey conducted by The Iams Company, 65 percent of pet owners said they were unaware MRIs could be used for pets while 85 percent said they would want their veterinarian to recommend an MRI for a more detailed diagnosis if necessary, particularly if it could help avoid exploratory surgery.
About the Center
The Iams Pet Imaging Center employs a staff of highly trained veterinary specialists to perform the MRIs. The center is designed for the pet’s comfort: each kept in his or her own individual area, complete with bed. Pet owners have the option to stay at the center with their pets during the procedure. For the owner’s comfort, the reception area is equipped with several amenities, including computer access and courtesy telephones. The visit lasts only a few hours.
Iams Recognizes Local Canine Unit
The Iams Pet Imaging Center is donating MRI services to the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Canine Unit in an effort to keep the unit in the best health possible. "Because our dogs perform important and often life-saving work on a daily basis, they need to be healthy," said Sergeant Dwayne Buethe, commander of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Canine Unit. "The MRI technology can help us screen and treat our dogs, so they can be at their best."
The Canine Unit includes about 50 dogs that are used in a variety of life-saving activities, including search and rescue. Several of these dogs assisted in the recovery at the Pentagon after the September 11 attack.
About The Iams Company
For more than 50 years, The Iams Company has enhanced the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods. To learn more about Eukanuba and Iams Dog and Cat Foods, Eukanuba Veterinary Diets line of canine and feline diets, or general pet care and nutritional information, call Iams Consumer Care at 1-800-335-2502 or visit Iams on the Web at www.iamsco.com.
About ProScan
ProScan Imaging is a provider of medical, technical, and educational support in all areas of diagnostic medical imaging. Through the vision of its founder Dr. Stephen Pomeranz, ProScan Imaging has evolved as the world leader in medical imaging technology. ProScan currently serves clients on six continents and performs more than 300 primary and secondary MRI and CAT Scan reads daily. Licensed in the majority of states, the ProScan team of readers provides reading services to physicians and healthcare entities across the nation and the world. |
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