In the fast-paced world of veterinary medicine, the ability to diagnose and treat animals swiftly and accurately is more vital than ever. Whether it's a beloved family pet, a performance horse, or livestock essential to a farmer's livelihood, veterinarians must rely on cutting-edge diagnostic tools to deliver high-quality care. Among these tools, diagnostic imaging stands out as a game-changer.

Enter Veterinary PACS—Picture Archiving and Communication Systems tailored specifically for veterinary use. As veterinary practices evolve, so do their needs for efficient image management, storage, and communication. With the increasing demand for mobile, remote, and collaborative healthcare environments, traditional imaging systems are making way for cloud-powered solutions.

This article explores how Veterinary PACS, cloud radiology, and cloud-based veterinary RIS (Radiology Information Systems) are transforming veterinary imaging. We'll dive into the benefits, real-world applications, key features, and even highlight some of the top veterinary RIS solutions available today. Whether you're a solo practitioner or part of a bustling animal hospital, understanding and leveraging these technologies is crucial for staying ahead.

What is Veterinary PACS?

At its core, PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) is a technology that allows medical images to be digitally stored, retrieved, and transmitted across different devices and locations. While PACS has been a mainstay in human healthcare for years, its tailored application in veterinary medicine—Veterinary PACS—is now gaining serious traction.

Veterinary PACS systems are designed specifically for the workflows, imaging modalities, and unique clinical needs of veterinary practices. These systems manage images from X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and digital dental radiographs. Unlike human PACS, which often deal with standardized anatomical imaging, veterinary PACS must account for species diversity—from cats and dogs to reptiles and exotic birds.

Key Features of Veterinary PACS:

  • DICOM compliance: Enables compatibility with various imaging devices.

  • Multi-modality support: Handles radiographs, MRIs, CTs, and more.

  • Tagging and categorization: For species, breed, diagnosis, and body region.

  • Web-based viewers: For easy access from any device.

  • Integration with EMR and RIS: Seamless data flow across platforms.

Veterinary PACS is more than just an image storage solution. It's a clinical decision-making tool that enables rapid image access, secure sharing, and long-term archiving—critical for modern veterinary practices striving for operational efficiency and enhanced patient care.

The Role of PACS in Veterinary Radiology

Veterinary radiology—or Vet Radiology—has become an indispensable diagnostic tool across general and specialty practices. From assessing bone fractures and internal injuries to diagnosing tumors and heart conditions, imaging plays a pivotal role in the veterinary diagnostic process. But without an efficient system to manage those images, clinicians can quickly find themselves overwhelmed.

This is where Veterinary PACS steps in as a transformative technology.

Enhancing Radiology Workflows:

With PACS, radiology images are instantly available for review, even before the animal leaves the imaging suite. This eliminates delays caused by printing films or manually transferring files via USB drives. Veterinarians can compare historical images side-by-side with new ones to monitor disease progression or treatment outcomes.

Benefits for Vets and Radiologists:

  • Remote access: Radiologists can review images from anywhere, enabling teleconsultations and second opinions without delays.

  • Faster diagnosis: Speedier access to imaging allows faster clinical decisions, especially in emergency scenarios.

  • Collaboration: Specialists can securely access and annotate images for referring veterinarians.

  • Improved client communication: Images can be shown to pet owners to help explain conditions and treatment plans.

Veterinary PACS transforms radiology into a streamlined, collaborative process. It ensures that imaging doesn't just capture data—but delivers clinical value.

Cloud Radiology: The Future of Vet Imaging

One of the most significant evolutions in imaging technology is the move to cloud radiology—a model where images and associated data are stored in secure, cloud-based systems rather than on local servers. This shift has enormous implications for veterinary practices of all sizes.

Why Cloud Radiology Matters:

Traditional PACS systems require costly hardware, on-site servers, IT maintenance, and regular upgrades. With cloud-based veterinary PACS, all of that infrastructure is hosted offsite by the service provider. Practices can access their imaging data through secure portals, often with nothing more than a browser and login credentials.

Key Benefits:

  • Scalability: As your practice grows, so does your storage—without buying new servers.

  • Remote Accessibility: Vets and specialists can view images from home, mobile devices, or satellite clinics.

  • Disaster Recovery: Cloud systems offer redundant backups to protect against data loss from fires, floods, or cyberattacks.

  • Cost Efficiency: Subscription models reduce upfront costs and eliminate the need for on-site IT staff.

Collaboration in the Cloud:

Cloud radiology enables unprecedented collaboration. Imagine capturing an X-ray in a field veterinary visit and having a board-certified radiologist analyze it within minutes. That's not science fiction—it's the reality with cloud-based systems.

For practices that value agility, flexibility, and rapid response times, cloud radiology is the future.

Integrating PACS with Veterinary RIS (Radiology Information System)

While PACS manages the images, Radiology Information Systems (RIS) handle the workflow around those images—scheduling, tracking, reporting, and billing. In a veterinary setting, especially one with high imaging volumes, the synergy between PACS and RIS is critical.

What is a Veterinary RIS?

A Veterinary RIS is a digital solution that manages the business side of radiology. It organizes imaging orders, tracks patient progress, streamlines radiologist workflows, and generates structured reports.

When PACS and RIS are integrated:

  • Orders flow directly from EMR to imaging modality.

  • Images are automatically associated with the correct patient and study.

  • Radiologists can dictate or type reports right within the system.

  • Reports are instantly linked to the corresponding images and shared with referring vets.

Why Cloud-Based Veterinary RIS?

Cloud-based RIS systems provide the same advantages as cloud PACS—scalability, remote access, and minimal IT overhead. With real-time access to imaging orders, study statuses, and diagnostic reports, veterinary teams can coordinate care more effectively than ever before.

This integration creates a seamless imaging ecosystem that improves both clinical outcomes and operational efficiency.

Choosing the Right Veterinary PACS: Key Considerations

Selecting a Veterinary PACS is a strategic decision that can shape your imaging workflow for years to come. With many vendors offering varied features, it's important to choose a system that aligns with your practice's current needs and future goals.

Key Factors to Evaluate:

  1. Cloud vs. On-Premise: Consider your connectivity, IT resources, and long-term goals. Cloud is often ideal for mobility and scalability.

  2. Integration Capabilities: Ensure seamless integration with your EMR, RIS, and practice management software.

  3. User Interface: The system should be intuitive for both tech-savvy and traditional users.

  4. Support and Training: Look for vendors with strong onboarding, responsive customer support, and user training resources.

  5. Data Security: Ensure compliance with veterinary data protection laws and veterinary-specific cybersecurity standards.

A well-chosen PACS should reduce stress, not add to it. Take the time to demo systems, read case studies, and talk to other vets before committing.

Top 10 Veterinary RIS & PACS Solutions to Consider in 2025

Here's a look at some of the top-rated veterinary RIS and PACS vendors leading the pack in 2025:

  1. ezyVet + IDEXX SmartFlow – Excellent cloud integration, seamless imaging workflows.

  2. Vetology – Strong in AI diagnostics and remote radiology services.

  3. ImageBank (Antech Diagnostics) – Robust DICOM support, cloud storage, and mobile access.

  4. ProVet Cloud – Full-suite veterinary software with PACS and RIS modules.

  5. VETport – Ideal for multi-location clinics; cloud-based with imaging integration.

  6. Timeless Veterinary Systems – Advanced cloud radiology and teleradiology capabilities.

  7. Hippo Manager – Affordable solution with scalable PACS features.

  8. Veterinary Imaging Center of San Diego (VICSD PACS) – Specialized imaging service with integrated tools.

  9. InstaVet PACS – Great for mobile vets and remote imaging needs.

  10. CloudPACS – Affordable entry point for small and medium veterinary practices.

Each has strengths in different areas—some are better for enterprise hospitals, others for mobile vets or specialty clinics. Evaluate your practice size, imaging volume, and future plans before choosing.

Real-World Impact: Veterinary Clinics Leveraging PACS & Cloud Radiology

Veterinary practices across the globe are seeing real benefits from adopting PACS and cloud radiology solutions.

Case Study 1: Small Animal Clinic in Austin, TX

Before: Film-based radiographs, slow image retrieval, frequent misfiled studies.

After: Cloud PACS implementation with integrated RIS. Now, veterinarians review images within minutes, share them with specialists instantly, and generate patient reports same-day.

Case Study 2: Equine Specialist in Wellington, FL

Using a mobile radiology unit and cloud PACS, this equine practice transmits images from rural areas to a radiologist in real-time. The ability to deliver a diagnosis within 30 minutes has transformed their emergency response service.

Veterinarians agree: adopting modern imaging tools enhances patient care, improves client satisfaction, and boosts team morale.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Adopting new technology is never without hurdles. Here are common challenges and how to overcome them:

  • Resistance to Change: Offer hands-on training and choose intuitive platforms to ease the transition.

  • Internet Dependency: For cloud PACS, ensure reliable high-speed internet or choose hybrid options.

  • Data Migration Woes: Work closely with your vendor to securely transfer legacy data.

  • Cost Concerns: Consider ROI over time—cloud models often reduce total cost of ownership.

Most challenges can be mitigated with the right vendor support, planning, and training.

The Future of Veterinary Imaging: AI, Cloud RIS, and Beyond

The next frontier in Vet Imaging is a blend of automation, intelligence, and even more connectivity.

  • AI-Assisted Diagnosis: Algorithms that detect fractures, masses, or cardiomegaly are already in use.

  • Predictive Imaging Analytics: Systems that alert vets before conditions become critical.

  • Mobile Imaging: Handheld ultrasound and mobile CT units connected to cloud PACS.

  • Deeper RIS + LIMS Integration: Unifying diagnostics across imaging, pathology, and lab work.

As veterinary medicine embraces digital transformation, imaging will play a central role in preventive, personalized, and precision animal care.

Conclusion

Veterinary PACS is more than a technical upgrade—it's a foundational tool that reshapes how veterinary clinics diagnose, treat, and care for animals. Combined with cloud radiology and cloud-based veterinary RIS, these systems offer a smarter, faster, and more collaborative way to handle diagnostic imaging.

From small practices to large specialty centers, the future of veterinary imaging is in the cloud. Embracing these innovations today can position your clinic for better outcomes, happier clients, and a more efficient workflow tomorrow.

Ready to future-proof your veterinary practice? Explore the latest in Veterinary PACS and cloud radiology—your patients (and your team) will thank you.