Is Veterinary MRI feasible in a human facility?

Magnetic resonance imaging is continuing to grow for clinical diagnosis in veterinary practice. Although MRI is the gold standard for imaging the central nervous system and musculoskeletal pathology in animals, the use of MRI is limited due to the difficulty in accessing and the higher running cost. It is a limited resource disadvantaging many vet animals and their owners of care and cost. Is it feasible for a human MRI facility to image animals? This paper discusses how this was achieved at the Hunter Medical Research Institute Imaging Centre, Newcastle, Australia, and the safety procedures that were necessary for approval.