Laying the foundations for Radiological Protection in Veterinary Practice.

Abstract

Initially concerned with the application of ionising radiation in medicine, radiological protection has subsequently gone through many phases, and the framework developed by the Commission has evolved continually to embrace other categories of exposure and novel exposure situations. For much of the Western world, medicine is now again the principal source of additional exposures for humans, and it has therefore been the subject of considerable attention in recent years, particularly because the techniques used are advancing so rapidly. What often comes as a surprise, however, is that virtually all of these techniques are being applied increasingly in the field of veterinary medicine. Some advances, such as the use of digital radiography, are to be expected, but the use of computed tomography scanners is increasing enormously, particularly with more second-hand equipment becoming available. The whole gamut of techniques used, from interventional radiology to nuclear medicine, including unsealed source therapy as well as brachyand teletherapy, are now also applied in veterinary practice. Nevertheless, it may still be easy to consider that the subject of radiation exposure in this field is little different from that of human medical practice, given that the equipment is much the same. However, that would be a mistake for a number of reasons.