Veterinary diagnostic imaging is changing from image capture on silver or dye based film to digital media. Veterinary medicine has allowed the development of many imaging systems that are not compatible and often contain proprietary digital imaging standards. When imaging and storage systems do not communicate, the result is the inability of medical consultants to view the images supplied by referral hospitals, additional investment in translators, deterioration in the medical standard of care, and confusion in the market place.

At SIIM 2010, we will discuss the methods of capturing images in a digital format such as cameras, scanners and direct to digital methods; the storage methods for images typically called PACS (Picture Archive Communications Systems); and the standard that allows modalities from various manufacturers to share a mutual communication language known as the DICOM standard (and more specifically what it means to be DICOM 3 compliant).

By having an understanding of the methods of digital image acquisition, communication, storage, sharing, and display, the user will understand the constructs of an efficient and efficacious medical imaging system that integrates digital medical imaging into the modern veterinary hospital.