How much does a Veterinary MRI Machine Cost?

Well, that’s a loaded question. Cost of Veterinary MRI depends on the following:

The quality of imaging
Facility’s ability to house the equipment
Speed at which studies must be scanned/Patient Load
Size of the patient
Servicing Contracts

Quality of the Imaging

Unlike its human counterpart, veterinary medicine patients come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Our AnimalScan outpatient locations across the US have scanned everything from alligators to hamsters. Scanners capable of acquiring the resolution needed to diagnose smaller patients, such as birds and hamsters, will be limited with the industry’s “low-field veterinary dedicated” MRI’s.

Low-field scanners can run $200K-$500K depending on whether you are willing to purchase new or used. These machines have reduced power and shielding requirements and as such, are often more affordable to install and maintain.

Lower signal-to-noise ratios of these low-field scanners make it difficult to achieve quality contrast, resolution, and reasonable acquisition times. For this reason they are less than ideal for veterinary medicine, however, low-field scanners definitely have a place in VetMed.

High-field scanners, while the “Gold Standard” in VetMed are costly to purchase, install, and maintain. These scanners can cost from $250K-2MM depending on the quality scanner you are interested in purchasing. Scanners with higher resolution, greater throughput capabilities, and artificial intelligence are going to run on the higher end of this cost spectrum. High-field scanners require RF shielding to prevent external radio waves from distorting the MR signal which can cause image artifacts and to protect nearby medical devices from the magnetic field of the scanner. Shielding can run $30K-$65K alone. For this reason we often recommend that practices with a desire for growth ante up and install 3T RF shielding when they are initially investing in their first 1.5T MRI. When growth suggests its time to install the 3T you already have the foundation set.

MRI Housing

For practices looking to minimize their initial investment, but not jepardize best medicine, the best solution is often a lease on a prefabricated MRI trailer also known as a mobile MRI. Trailers come fully equipped with hydraulic lift, MRI, computers, monitors, and HVAC/Chiller. Upgrades in trailers are as simple as disconnecting the old scanner, driving it away, hauling in the new scanner, and plugging into the power hook-up. Leasing will run you from $10K/month to $30K/month and includes the service and maintenance contract. There are factors to consider when considering a mobile MRI.

Often in developing practices we see that space is a limitation. In New York City, for instance; where real estate is at a premium a mobile MRI may not be a realistic option since it requires 9 parking spaces. On the other hand, if there is enough demand, low-field scanners will not be capable of producing quality studies of good resolution on more than one patient a day.

Speed of Imaging

Mobile and fixed high-field scanners are also available for purchase from about $250K-$1MM+. The price reflects the software and equipment capabilities. Our most highly recommended MRI is the Siemens Avanto with TIMS Imaging which runs about $500K. We like this scanner for VetMEd because;

TIMS software allows users to scan multiple regions at the same time
Increase patient volume
High quality imaging
Great price point with many years of productivity

Regardless of whether you choose a high-field of lowfield scanner, fixed or mobile, when purchasing an MRI a maintenance contract is a must. Helium leaks. Lightning strikes. You do not want to be out $425K or have unexpected downtime. Low-field scanner service contracts run about $35K/year. High-field contracts are $55K-$75K/year. Get one.

The cost of Veterinary MRI is not apples to apples, especially when dealing in the after-market space. If your practice is exploring the idea of offering neurology or diagnostic imaging and you are still undecided about what imaging option best suits your practice, a quick call to an equipment provider can answer most of your questions.

How much does a Veterinary MRI Machine Cost?