Radiation protection challenges in applications of ionising radiation on animals in veterinary practice

As we work towards a holistic approach to radiation protection, we begin to consider and integrate protection beyond humans to include, among other things, non-human biota. Non-human biota not only includes environmental flora and fauna, but also livestock, companion animals, working animals, etc. Although under consideration, there is currently little guidance in terms of protection strategies for types of non-human biota beyond wildlife. For example, in recent years, veterinary procedures that make use of ionising radiation have increased in number and have diversified considerably, which has made radiation protection in veterinary applications of ionising radiation more challenging, both for humans and the animal patients. In fact, the common belief that doses to professionals and members of the public from these applications will be very low to negligible, and doses to the animals will not be acutely harmful nor even affect their lifetime probability of developing cancer, needs to be revisited in the light of higher dose diagnostic and interventional techniques, and certainly in the case of therapeutic applications. This paper provides a brief overview of the initiatives of the International Commission on Radiological Protection concerning radiation protection aspects of veterinary practice, and poses a variety of perspectives for consideration and further discussion.