Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Shares its Wish List

As the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital's caseload continues to grow, so does the need to provide state-of-the-art diagnostics and care. Each year, the School purchases new equipment for the Hospital, but income can't always stretch to cover all the necessary improvements.

That's why the Hospital shares its wish list with the public. Sometimes, satisfied clients or other friends of the veterinary school decide to make a gift toward a substantial piece of equipment that will benefit numerous animal patients.

Naming opportunities are available to donors that would like to cover the entire purchase cost of a piece of equipment.

Below is a list of the Hospital’s current needs:

• Tomotherapy Cancer Treatment - $3 million
  Wisconsin is one of the nation’s top veterinary cancer treatment facilities. To better serve our high oncology caseload, we need to replace our aging Cobalt-60 radiation therapy unit.  Our goal is to be the first veterinary medical facility in the nation with a tomotherapy unit (a unique combination of radiation treatment and a helical CT scanner).  Developed in Wisconsin, this new technology targets radiation specifically at the tumor and spares surrounding tissues.  It provides superior tumor control with much less toxicity. 
  
  
• State-of-the-art MRI - $1.5 million
  The current MRI unit will not be transferable to the new building because of its age. We need a state-of-the-art MRI that can be incorporated into the renovated hospital.
  
  
• State of the art CT - $1.0 million
  Advances in technology and the age of the current CT system have prompted planning for the replacement of this important imaging equipment.  Also, a new space within the VMTH will be remodeled to house the Hospital’s CT scanner.  In addition to continuing to serve small animals, the location of the new scanner will allow access for equine patients to receive CT scans for their limbs, head and upper neck. 
  
  
• Thrombelastograph Hemostasis Analyzer - $35,000
  Successful treatment of diseases involving abnormal blood clotting relies on accurate and timely diagnosis. This instrument provides a systemic view of clotting and would enhance our diagnostic capability by offering a sophisticated method of analyzing blood to guide diagnosis and management of serious bleeding and clotting disorders.
  
  
• Diagnostica Stago STA Compact Coagulation Analyzer - $38,000
  State-of-the-art coagulation testing now includes the evaluation of several individual blood clotting proteins, such as activated protein C and antithrombin, to permit accurate diagnosis and prognosis as well as to help manage serious disorders of blood clotting.

• Vitek Automated Microbiology System - $60,000
  The improved microbial identification technology this instrument offers would increase our ability to accurately identify bacteria that cause disease in a variety of animal species.

• 5-headed Microscope, Camera, and Projection System – Approximately $30,000
  This microscope is needed for replacement of a 21-headed microscope that is currently used for biopsy rounds, ocular pathology rounds, cytology rounds, histology seminar, and many other histology teaching and collaborative uses.  The existing system limits (uncomfortably!) how many people can partake, and is quite old and prone to malfunction.  All 21 heads of the existing microscope are routinely filled, causing people to take turns looking.  While a new 21-head microscope would be prohibitively expensive, a 5-head unit will still be usable for small groups.  However, a projection system built into the new microscope would allow many more people to participate by viewing images on the screen or monitor rather than through a head.  It would also enable digital capture of images and web-broadcasting of rounds.  This would greatly improve the function and utility of this heavily used equipment.
  

Large Animal

• Fluoroscope unit for large animal orthopedic surgery - $40,000
  This portable imaging unit is used in the operating room to provide guidance to the surgeon for the placement of drills and implants during orthopedic procedures.  Because of its unique design and size, this mini-fluoroscopy device can be moved up closely to the animal’s leg for immediate imaging by the surgeon.
  
  
• Large animal table for CT and MRI scanners - $80,000
  Currently, our CT and MRI scanners are limited to small animals, calves and foals. A heavy-duty table designed for large animals will allow us to image lower limbs for fractures, tendon and joint injuries, and the skulls of large animals for dental disease and to assess trauma cases.
  
  
• High volume fluid pump for large animals - $4,000
  This pump would allow us to administer large volumes of fluid to critical large animal patients, such as horses with colic. Traditional fluid administration units can only deliver about 10 liters of fluid intravenously per hour. The average horse with colic needs at least 30 liters of fluids prior to, and during, colic surgery. This pump would give us the capability of more efficiently meeting those patients’ needs.

Small Animal

• Neurology Ultrasonic Aspirator - $45,000
  This equipment would make it possible for us to accurately remove brain tumors in dogs and cats that currently we cannot operate on.
  
  
• Siemens Fluoroscopy Unit for Radiology - $300,000
  Used extensively for urinary, neurologic and GI contrast studies, and for radiographs of large dogs or smaller large animals such as sheep, llamas, foals and calves, the image quality on the existing unit is deteriorating due to age.  Replacement parts for this 25-year old machine have become difficult to find and its fluorography cannot be integrated with the new filmless image viewing system recently installed throughout the hospital.  Replacement would also improve interfacing with the new digital radiography system, enhancing image retrieval, presentations, and long-term archiving.
  
  
• Thrombelast Hemostasis Analyzer - $31,000
  This equipment is becoming an essential component for the evaluation of hemorrhagic and thrombotic disorders and complements traditional blood coagulation testing in ways that can have an immediate impact on appropriate therapy.
  
  
• Chemistry Analyzer - $100,000
  The chemistry analyzer is an essential component of the Clinical Pathology Laboratory.  This high-volume analyzer provides numerous important tests for clinicians to diagnosis and monitor our patients.  The Hospital’s current machine is being discontinued in the near future, and a replacement must be purchased.
  
  
• Avian Oxygen Cage - $3,500
  The Special Species Service has requested obtaining this equipment to provide critical care housing for avian patients.  This unit will allow for the delivery of oxygen in a carefully controlled manner and also the nebulization of medications for critical care therapy.
  
  
• 2.7mm Arthroscope $4,000
  This would complement other surgical equipment used by the orthopedic surgeons for stifle (knee) arthroscopy, which is a surgical procedure that is being performed more frequently.  The current arthroscope options are cumbersome for use in small dogs, and the 2.7mm arthroscope and associated equipment would allow for optimal surgical visualization and treatment for these patients.
  
  
• Resident salary - $100,000 for a 3-year oncology program
  
  
• Resident salary - $33,000 per year for 3 years in Dentistry & Oral Surgery
  The Dentistry & Oral Surgery residency program is a 3 year program leading to board certification.  Resident duties include clinical patient care, student teaching and research.  Current funding will end in 2010.
  
  
• Resident salary - any amount would help the ophthalmology program
  
  
• Storz Knee Distractor - $1,845
  Used for arthroscopic surgery of the small animal knee to fully open normal joint space.  This allows complete evaluation of surgically relevant structures and would substantially aid in the resection or repair of damaged meniscal cartilage.  Current instruments are poorly made and known to break down during the surgical procedure.

• Cushioned floor mats - $239 each
  For oncology personnel to stand on while administering chemo treatments.
  
  
• Digital camera with macro capability - $600 - $800
  Would help oncology get better close-ups of cancer lesions for teaching purposes.
  
  
• Kudo Akohoshi forceps - $900
  A specially-designed instrument that allows ophthalmologists to do canine cataract surgery faster.
  
  
• Phacoemulsification machine - $85,000
  Ophthalmology’s existing cataract-removal machine is 9 years old, which means the manufacturer will soon stop servicing it and making parts.  New technology will allow the service to do faster and less traumatic surgeries.
  
  
• Retcam camera - $70,000
  This camera is designed for pediatric patients, but it takes excellent images of veterinary patients.  Useful for client and student education, as well as research purposes.
  
  
• Electroretinogram - $11,000
  This machine tests retinary function and is used mostly prior to cataract surgery to make sure the animal will be able to see post operatively and to diagnose certain causes of blindness.
  
  
• Pulse Oximeter/Capnograph - $3,000
  To monitor oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in patients with respiratory disease.
  
  
• Tubing sealer for Blood Donor program - $2,000
  To aid in the preparation and storage of blood collected from the hospital’s blood donors (private animals that receive benefits for participation in the program).  The VMTH uses the same supplies and equipment that are used in human blood donation programs.
  
  
• Cardell multi-parameter monitor with 10" screen - $10,000
  This unit allows us to monitor many different physiologic functions in anesthetized animals of all species.  Most importantly, it allows us to monitor heart function (electrical activity, cardiac pump function and organ perfusion), respiratory function (oxygenation, ventilation), and body temperature. 
  
  

• Portable monitor w/SPO2, ECG, NIBP, temperature & respiration - $3,200
  This smaller monitor would allow anesthesiologists to track oxygenation, ventilation, non-invasive blood pressure and temperature in patients that are being transferred to various sites around the veterinary hospital (such as from the OR to radiology for post-operative radiographs).  The time of patient transfer to different areas can be particularly challenging, since the patient, the anesthesia machine, and equipment must be moved with the patient.  A portable “all-in-one” monitor would allow us to continuously track important functions as the animal is moved.
  
  
• Cardell monitor w/ NIBP and SPO2 - $3,000
  This small monitor would add to our existing non-invasive anesthetic monitors that are used in the generally healthy small animal patient.
  
  
• Surgivet small animal ventilator - $5,000
  This ventilator would add to our existing ability to ventilate small animal patients that are being maintained on portable anesthetic machines.  Patients that are often in need of ventilation, but that are not having procedures done in the OR where we have permanently installed anesthetic ventilators, include dentistry patients, endoscopy patients, and patients having radiographs, computed tomography, radiation therapy or Tomotherapy.
  
  
• Tidal Guard capnograph & SPO2 - $3,000
  This monitor gives information on ventilation and oxygenation. It is particularly useful for very small patients, such as cats or exotic pocket pets.
  
  
• Pulse oximeters - $600 to $1,500
  We always need pulse oximeters, which are small portable devices that give information about oxygenation in our patients.  Because they are useful, and because they are utilized continuously, our need for replacement pulse oximeters is ongoing.

To provide the best care, our faculty and staff need access to the best facilities and equipment.