Michigan State University’s (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine is now armed with what it says is the first large-animal, open-bore MRI ever at an academic institution, a move that will allow veterinarians to tackle research questions and greatly impact both animal and human health.

The MRI unit, which became fully operational in August, has a 70-centimeter opening that is nearly 50% larger than the standard MRI. It will allow doctors and researchers at the college to analyze larger animals, such as horses and cows, as well as small animals. Just as important, said diagnostic imaging section chief Anthony Pease, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVR, will be the ability to study and interpret the images they receive