What Is a Veterinary PACS?

A Veterinary Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is software that
stores, organizes, retrieves, and shares diagnostic imaging such as:

• X-rays (radiographs)
• Ultrasound studies
• CT and MRI scans
• Endoscopy and specialty imaging

Unlike older film-based systems — or generic human medical PACS — a veterinary PACS is designed
specifically for multi-species patients, fast-paced clinics, and real veterinary
workflows.

How Does a Veterinary PACS Work?

At a high level, a veterinary PACS connects imaging equipment with the rest of your clinical
workflow.

1. Images are captured from digital X-ray, ultrasound, or other modalities
2. The PACS stores images securely in the cloud or on-premise
3. Clinicians can instantly view, annotate, and compare studies
4. Images are shared internally or externally with specialists and radiologists

Instead of hunting for files, burning CDs, or emailing massive attachments, everything lives in
one organized system — accessible from anywhere.

Why Veterinary-Specific PACS Matters

Many practices still use PACS platforms originally built for human medicine. While they may
technically work, they often create friction in daily use.

A veterinary-specific PACS is designed around:

• Multiple species and anatomies
• Faster case turnover
• Veterinary terminology and reporting
• Real clinic staffing models

Systems like Keystone PACS are built by veterinarians who understand
what slows teams down — and what actually helps.

Key Benefits of a Veterinary PACS System

Modern veterinary PACS software improves both clinical accuracy and operational efficiency.

• Instant image access: Review current and prior studies in seconds
• No physical film: Eliminate storage space, lost records, and delays
• Improved diagnostics: High-quality images with advanced viewing tools
• Remote access: Review cases from home, referral centers, or the barn
• Smoother collaboration: Share images with specialists and teleradiologists

Cloud-based veterinary PACS systems are also a key enabler of telemedicine and second opinions.
According to the AVMA, digital
imaging and remote consultation continue to play a growing role in modern veterinary care.

How PACS Integrates With Veterinary Software

A PACS system is most powerful when it integrates with the rest of your technology stack.

Common integrations include:

• Practice management systems (PMS)
• Teleradiology providers
• Diagnostic and reporting tools

When PACS integrates seamlessly with your PMS, teams avoid duplicate data entry and gain a single
source of truth for patient records.

Real-World Example: PACS in Daily Practice

Imagine a busy clinic day: a limping dog, an emergency abdominal case, and a follow-up radiograph
— all before noon.

With a veterinary PACS:

• Images are uploaded automatically
• Prior studies are instantly available
• Cases can be shared with a radiologist in minutes
• Clinicians spend less time managing files and more time treating patients

Is a Veterinary PACS Right for Your Clinic?

If your practice relies on diagnostic imaging, a PACS system is no longer optional — it’s
foundational.

Clinics typically benefit the most when they:

• Handle moderate to high imaging volume
• Collaborate with specialists or teleradiology services
• Want faster diagnostics and less administrative stress
• Plan to grow or scale services

For practices ready to modernize imaging workflows, veterinary-specific PACS platforms offer a
clear path forward.

Final Thoughts

So, what is a veterinary PACS? At its core, it’s a smarter way to manage imaging — but in
practice, it’s a tool that improves speed, accuracy, collaboration, and care.

Built by veterinarians, for veterinarians, solutions like Keystone PACS are
redefining how imaging supports modern veterinary medicine.