FORT IRWIN, Calif.  –   Thor, a military working dog from the Barstow Marine Base, breathes very heavy and abnormally following periods of heavy work activity. After a visit with Fort Irwin Veterinary Office, it was determined he required a CT scan. So that meant a trip to Weed Army Community Hospital’s Radiology Department. Accompanied by his handler, a sedated Thor receives several scans to hopefully determine the cause of his breathing issues.
 
CT Technologist Danette Willis expressed her admiration for the Veterinary Clinic’s professionalism. "It was a pleasure to help Thor," Willis said. "The process went smoothly thanks to the thoroughness and patience of the Vet Clinic team. They are always amazing at communicating and answering our questions, which makes our job easier. It helps us provide quality images that are crucial for the quick recovery of our military working dogs."
 
Performing a CT scan on a dog presents unique challenges compared to human patients. "When the dogs are brought over, they are sedated for the CT, which adds the hurdle of performing the exam quickly to ensure the dog's safety," Willis explained. "Another difference is the amount of contrast given; we typically use more for humans than dogs. While their anatomy is similar, it can appear slightly elongated due to their body structure. For instance, the neck can look short while the dog is upright, but as we scan, you see that it’s actually longer."
 
Thor's visit marked the fifth time Willis has had the opportunity to work with a military working dog. "It has been so educational to learn to CT an animal, and it brings me so much pleasure to know that I can help our military working dogs," she said. "They are such a huge asset to our military and deserve the same care as their human counterparts."