FAQs

Q: What is teleradiology?

Teleradiology 101:

Catsnap is a veterinary teleradiology service that enables referring veterinarians to upload and submit digital radiographic studies instantly from their digital x-ray system for specialist review and reporting. Cases are sent via broadband Internet connection to an online server. The radiologist is immediately cued that there is a case pending and is then able to access and review the images remotely. Through this streamlined electronic system, the radiologist is able to provide reports far more efficiently than via a traditional hard copy system and at a more competitive price too.  

Catsnap uses a dedicated and robust teleradiology platform powered by DVMInsight with full technical support.

Q. What is a board-certified veterinary radiologist?

A board-certified radiologist (ECVDI or ACVR Diplomate) is a veterinarian who has received advanced post graduate training in diagnostic imaging and has passed the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging  or the American College of Veterinary Radiology Board Certification Examination. Diplomates-in -training (also called Residents) are required to undergo rigorous post-graduate training under direct supervision to hone skills and gain experience in an accredited certified facility for an additional 3-5 years (termed a Residency) before being allowed to sit the Diploma examinations. In Canada, board certified radiologists may also use the accredited title of “Veterinary Specialist”.

More information about the College and can be found here.

The Radiologist diagnoses diseases by obtaining and interpreting medical images. Radiologists are important members of the speciality health care team both in human and veterinary medicine. The imaging modalities used by a Radiologist include radiology, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine. A Radiologist correlates medical image findings with other examinations and tests, recommends further examinations or treatments, and consults with the referring veterinarian - the primary care veterinarian who sends patients to the radiologist for imaging and diagnosis or sends medical images for interpretation.

Q. What makes Catsnap Teleradiology unique?

Catsnap Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and Continuing Education is a Canadian teleradiology company based in Calgary, Alberta.

Our mission is to provide high quality, detailed and clinically relevant teleradiology tailored to each of our clients and their patients.

Our radiologists are experienced clinicians that work daily “in the trenches” of specialty referral practice, interfacing directly with general practitioners, specialists and their clients. We understand the pressures and challenges of day-to-day veterinary medicine and believe in providing real world solutions that add value to your patient care. We believe in quality over quantity, favouring detailed, accurate review and thoughtful analysis with practical clinical recommendations over rapid cut-and-paste, non-specific reports.

We strive to be accessible, helpful and integral to your practice.

Q. How do I register as a client?

Use our contact page or call us. Our technical support team will set up and configure your digital radiology system in order to submit images to the server. Your hospital will be provided with a unique username and password used to access the teleradiology platform.

Q. How do I submit images?

Images to Catsnap are submitted online through a web-based program that interfaces with your local x-ray practice’s machine’s image database. DICOM images on the local x-ray system are selected and uploaded to the Catsnap server along with the case history and any other pertinent clinical information (blood-work etc). Once submitted, the radiologist will automatically receive notification by email that a case is pending;  the referring practice will also receive confirmation that the submission is complete.    

Q. How soon can I expect a radiology report?

In general radiology reports are issued within 24 hours (on or by the next working day) by email, often sooner. Practically speaking, cases submitted during the working day will usually be read that evening, so the completed report should be waiting in your email inbox the next morning.

If you do not receive a report within 24 hours, please contact us directly and we will investigate. In most circumstances, delays are usually due to incomplete case submission.

For urgent cases, please call us immediately and we will expedite the imaging report: depending on circumstances, STAT reports are often issued verbally directly over the phone with the full written report to follow.

Q. I have an urgent case submission. What do I do?

Please contact us directly by phone: (403) 671-7316.  

Q. What is the cost of a case submission?

Reading fees will vary depending on type of case submission and imaging modality. Please contact us directly for a full fee schedule.  

Q. Are there subscription fees or ongoing maintenance fees?

No. Catsnap is a pay-per-case system. You are only billed for the cases you submit. The practice is billed monthly with an itemized account of the cases submitted that month.  All maintenance costs and IT support fees are carried by our company.

Q. Are there any limitations on the number of images or regions I can submit per case?

Generally there are no limits to the number of images or body regions per case.

Q. Can I submit Ultrasound, CT or MRI studies for review?

We review all imaging modalities with the exception of nuclear-medicine/scintigraphic studies. Please contact us regarding specifics for submitting these modalities.  

Q. What is a DICOM image?

DICOM is an acronym for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM). DICOM is a standard for handling, storing, printing, and transmitting information in medical imaging. All modern digitized medical imaging equipment produce images in DICOM format. DICOM enables the integration of medical imaging devices – like scanners, servers, workstations, printers, network hardware, and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) – from multiple manufacturers. DICOM images are uncompressed with the information of the patient, equipment and facility embedded indelibly within the image data, which allows for precise identification and image retrieval. DICOM images require specific DICOM viewing software to be accessed and viewed; many DICOM viewing  programs are readily available and downloadable online.   

Q. Can I submit JPEG images for review?

Yes, but JPEGs are generally not suitable for medical image viewing for several reasons.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is commonly used method of lossy compression for digital images, particularly for those images produced by digital photography and used extensively for sharing photographs on the World Wide Web. The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality. JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression.

• The conversion from DICOM to JPEG format and compression of the images leads to a loss of native image detail.

• JPEG images are also not amenable to post-acquisition manipulation of the grey scale (termed “windowing”) that allows for optimisation of contrast when viewing the images.

• Many dedicated DICOM viewers will not open JPEG images.

• Lastly, the image information (patient identification, date, time stamps etc.) is usually not viewable.

JPEG images fall below the minimum standards set by human medical and veterinary guidelines for image viewing for diagnostic purposes. 

We will accept JPEG images for review in some circumstances (such as, if for some reason DICOMs are not available) on the understanding that the original image quality will be compromised.

Q. Can I email images for review?

Ideally not. The online case submission system via DVMInsight allows for rapid transfer of large imaging files in DICOM format, which is impractical via an e-mail server. Images are logged, tracked and archived automatically so that data is secure and retrievable. In addition, the patient information and history is permanently linked to the images, thus doing away with unnecessary administration and separate paper referral request forms. JPEG images are not ideal for diagnostic imaging purposes (see: Can I submit JPEG images for review?).

Please note that only images that are submitted for review are archived. (DVMInsight does not currently provide a picture archiving and communication system [PACS] for non-submitted hospital radiographs).

Q. What is PACS?

A picture archiving and communication system (PACS) is a medical imaging technology which provides economical storage and convenient access to images from multiple modalities. Images for a specific patient or case can be called up and viewed using search terms.PACS can be located on-site, off-site or as a cloud-based remote system.  

Images submitted for review to Catsnap are archived and stored automatically on the DVMInsight PACS online system and can be accessed later if required. Please note that only images that are submitted for review to Catsnap are archived on our system.

DVMInsight does however offer an add-on remote picture archiving and communication system [PACS] solution for non-submitted hospital radiographs too for an additional fee. Please contact us for further information.

Q. What are the system requirements for teleradiology?

Almost all modern digital x-ray and ultrasound systems are DICOM compatible with the capacity to export images locally and remotely (online). Our IT team will assist with configuration and connectivity of your system to the Catsnap server.

It is also possible to digitize analogue (traditional x-ray film) for online submission-contact us for further information.

Q. I am having trouble sending or uploading images. What do I do?

Catsnap’s teleradiology platform, DVMInsight, has an excellent dedicated technical support website with troubleshooting tips, help-videos as well as direct online IT support access. Technical support tickets are submitted via the website.Technical support is also directly contactable by phone in cases of genuine emergency. Click here for the website.

Q. What do your case reports look like?

Click here for an example case report.