An animal hospital in Eureka will soon become the only place in Montana with an MRI machine for pets.

A Country Animal Hospital on U.S. 93 in Eureka was able to purchase and is preparing to install the expensive magnetic resonance imaging machine that is capable of looking at soft tissue in man’s best friends.

Debbie Marion, the office manager at the animal hospital, said the decision to get the MRI machine was a calculated risk.

“We took a good, hard look at our area,” she said. “We found there were none in our area. None in Montana, none in Wyoming and none in the upper part of Idaho.”

According to Marion, the nearest places to get MRIs for your canine or feline friend are Calgary, Alberta, and on the campus of Washington State University in Pullman.

David Marion, the veterinarian, thought this was an opportunity.

“Living in Eureka, we’re a long ways from the only MRI around in Pullman and Calgary,” he said. “And the cost for the closer one is exorbitantly higher because it’s in Canada. A lot of my clients wouldn’t drive that far, much less be able to afford it.”

The Marions decided to buy a demo MRI machine that the company, Vet-MR, had used to showcase around the country. The secondhand machine is in good condition and is being transported from Ohio.

Brand new, the Vet-MR costs around $350,000. A Country Animal Hospital got it for half that price.

Costs will reflect the size of the animal (anywhere from a Chihuahua to a St. Bernard can fit in the MRI machine) and will range from $300 to $750. The tests are sent to a board-certified radiologist for an additional $175 unless requested otherwise.

An equine MRI machine is being installed in Billings so Montanans will have an in-state resource for livestock, even if it is on the other side of the state.

“There are people with pets out there saying, ‘I know I need to know more,’” Debbie said. “We’re trying to attract veterinarians who might benefit from using this machine.”

Other costs come from sedation, catheters and general anesthetic, since animals are not well known for staying still while a large machine whirs around them.

During the training period for the machine, the clinic will offer free MRIs for pets and then half-price screenings after that period.

The Marions sent out coupons to veterinarians in the area for $50 off MRI tests.

A Country Animal Hospital is located on U.S. 93 six miles south of the Canadian border.

Visit www.acountryanimalhospital.com or call 406-297-7903 for more information.

The new MRI is expected to be installed within the next two weeks.

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.