As we know that Vets can offer treatments for all of these ailments and many more, using diagnostic tools such as MRIs and CAT scans, thus bringing animal care up to a level once reserved for humans. And also Take the cavitation ultrasonic scalpel — CUSA, for short — used for treating brain tumors. It promises to be a boon for dogs. They generally have to be treated with radiation therapy because they don’t handle brain surgery as well as cats, because of the way their head is designed. The recent development of digital technology for lab work is also a major plus, said Dr. Thomas Carpenter, president of the Colorado-based American Animal Hospital Association. Unlike film, which takes time to process and can be imperfect, digital images are precise and instant. Naturally, treatment for some of these once-fatal illnesses comes at a cost. For example, a spinal tap falls into the $2,500 category, with spinal surgery reaching $4,000 for a small dog. Only about 5 percent of American pet owners carry insurance, which can have premiums up to $6,000 over the life of the average dog or cat, and, as with people insurance, there are deductibles and non-covered treatments.