Science is taking “paw-sitive” strides for animals. Queensland vets are using 3D technology to diagnose and treat dogs.

Brittany Butler reports.

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Helping vets save animals of today and tomorrow.

A University of Queensland collaboration sees 3D dog skulls help diagnose conditions and illnesses.

Dr Rachel Allavena, Veterinarian & Associate Professor: “Currently, at UQ we’re mostly using them for teaching purposes, but the time is coming and it will come really quickly where we’ll start to use these things routinely in veterinary medicine.”

Taking tertiary education to new dimensions, and connecting science to a whole new audience.

Nick Wiggins, UQ Researcher: “If you’ve ever had a CT Scan, MRI or you’ve got a digital camera, if you’re able to capture photos of an object from many different angles and put into software, you can create a model like this.”

Made from computer scans, the skulls could also be used to treat animals in surgery.

Dr Rachel Allavena, Veterinarian & Associate Professor: “We’re actually starting to 3D print, using metals and other materials, replacement body parts for animals that have had severe injuries or cancers or amputations.”

The software is easy to use with many applications.

3D bone models have so far helped to treat dogs with brain tumours and deformed legs, keeping a man’s best friend happy and healthy.

It’s one small step for man, and one giant leap for dogs.

Brittany Butler, QUT News.