Radiation Therpy for Horses and Small Animals: Equinox Healthcare

A radiation therapy centre for horses

Your horse has a tumour and radiation therapy, a standard method which has been used in human medicine for decades, is simply not available for horses?

This situation gave rise to the motivation to design a radiation therapy centre that combines both: state-of-the-art radiation therapy technology as used in human medicine and a clinic that in its size and technical equipment is precisely tailored to the requirements of animal patients. Equinox Healthcare GmbH consistently implements this strategy and high standard: a centre with an area of 8,000 square metres that combines everything necessary for the optimal accommodation of horses and their treatment. When the planning was completed in 2016, construction commenced for a stable housing a total of 12 horses, a large clinic building with a spacious hall, three recovery boxes and a large examination area. The core of the facility is a modern linear accelerator, located in a special room and surrounded by meter-thick concrete walls.
The clinical operation started in autumn 2017. A competent team consisting of veterinarians, radio-oncologists, veterinary assistants, medical-technical assistants, animal keepers, medical physicists and engineers has been working for the animal patients and their owners ever since.
Of course, Equinox Healthcare can also treat domestic animals and pets. The health of your pet is the top priority for our team. We are looking forward to your visit!

Our philosophy

The connections between humans and animals are manifold. Wherever such relationships extend beyond purely utilitarian considerations, respect and closeness develop. These values are also of central importance in our work. By taking responsibility for the health and well-being of our patients, the Equinox team is passionate and dedicated, cherishing the connection that exists between all living beings.

Our Team

The clinical operation started in autumn 2017. Since then a competent team consisting of veterinarians, radio-oncologists, veterinary assistants, medical-technical assistants, animal keepers, medical physicists and engineers has been working for the good of the animal patients and their owners.

Dr. Jan Kuntz

Biomedical Engineer
Veterinarian
Management

Dr. Alena Soukup

Veterinarian
Radiation Oncologist
Diplomate ACVR (Radiation Oncology)

Sophie Burde

Veterinarian

Selina Euler

Registered Radiology Technician

Julia Rügamer

Veterinary Nurse

Sabrina Dietrich

Veterinary Nurse

Vanessa Köhler

Veterinary Nurse

Andrzej Naiderski

Animal Keeper

Optimal therapy enabled by state-of-the-art technology

The technology used corresponds to state-of-the-art equipment in human medicine. Ionising radiation is generated in a linear accelerator, which can be precisely focused on the tumour. We use the Clinac iX device manufactured by Varian, one of the two world market leaders. It can generate electron radiation of 6 to 18 megaelectronvolts and ultra-hard X-ray radiation of 6 and 16 megaelectronvolts. While we use electron radiation to treat skin tumours and all surface-related processes, X-rays are particularly suitable for deeper-seated tumours.

Production of individual apertures

We have various possibilities to apply the radiation only where it is needed. For electron radiation, we manufacture individual apertures that optimally protect the surrounding tissue. To be able to precisely shape X-rays, also known as photon radiation, we use a multi-lamella collimator, in which 120 motor-driven apertures ensure that healthy tissue receives as little radiation as possible. With this technology, we are particularly precise, just like radiation therapy in human medicine.

Premises

The actual radiation therapy takes place in a specially protected area. Concrete walls several meters thick shield the surroundings so that there is no danger to owners and staff. During the irradiation, the entrance is closed by a 40-ton gate. In order to be able to offer radiation therapy not only for small animals but also for horses, heavy-duty equipment is employed: with our overhead crane, we can reach every point in our spacious hall. A lifting capacity of 2 tons ensures that horses of any size can be lifted. With our own forklift, we transport everything needed for the accommodation, examination, and treatment of our patients, be it bales of hay or the mobile examination stand.
The patient table, which was specially constructed for Equinox, provides sufficient space for even the largest horses, allowing them to be safely transported to the treatment room.