Zoetis has agreed to acquire VitalRADS, a veterinary teleradiology and imaging services provider, in a transaction designed to expand the animal health company’s global diagnostics capabilities. The deal builds on a commercial partnership announced in August 2025 and would add continuous access to board-certified veterinary specialists through VitalRADS’ cloud-based platform. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
Expanding the Diagnostics Portfolio
The proposed acquisition would broaden Zoetis’ diagnostic services beyond traditional laboratory testing by incorporating teleradiology, mobile ultrasound, outpatient imaging, and cloud-based image storage. VitalRADS enables veterinary practices to submit digital radiographs, electrocardiograms, computed tomography scans, and magnetic resonance imaging scans for specialist review across more than 25 animal species. Its service provides same-day results for routine cases and two-hour readings for urgent submissions, supporting faster clinical decisions and more timely treatment planning.
VitalRADS’ Veterinary Imaging Network
Founded and led by Chief Executive Officer Brian Poteet, VitalRADS serves more than 1,800 active customers, including independent veterinary practices, corporate groups, and universities. The company also operates mobile ultrasound services in the Greater Houston and Greater Seattle regions, where teams perform on-site scans for more than 200 clinics using portable imaging equipment. In Cypress, Texas, VitalRADS runs an outpatient center offering diagnostic imaging services for canine and feline patients, extending its role beyond remote radiology interpretation.
Technology and AI-Assisted Workflows
A central component of the transaction is VitalPACS, VitalRADS’ cloud-based picture archiving and communication system, which stores medical images and integrates with veterinary medical record platforms. VitalRADS has also developed specialist-led, AI-assisted workflows that generate preliminary radiology reports from dictated findings and help radiologists review cases more efficiently. Its image-processing tools can identify differences between model-generated interpretations and specialist conclusions, creating an additional quality-control layer supported by clinical data and continuous professional feedback.
Building a Virtual Reference Laboratory
Zoetis plans to integrate these capabilities into its Global Diagnostics portfolio and advance its broader Virtual Reference Laboratory strategy. The company’s virtual laboratory model combines access to board-certified specialists with artificial intelligence tools intended to provide veterinarians with actionable diagnostic insights, while its existing Vetscan Imagyst and Vetscan Opticell platforms support real-time testing at the point of care. By connecting in-clinic testing, remote image interpretation, specialist expertise, and digital workflows, Zoetis is seeking to offer veterinary practices a more comprehensive diagnostic ecosystem.
Strategic Rationale and Integration
Jamie Brannan, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Zoetis, said the addition of VitalRADS would help veterinarians identify conditions more quickly and make more informed treatment decisions. Poteet described the agreement as an important milestone for VitalRADS and said joining Zoetis would support the company’s efforts to advance diagnostic solutions while maintaining service for existing clients. Zoetis said it would work closely with VitalRADS and its customers during the integration process to minimize disruption and preserve continuity across the platform and specialist network.
The acquisition would give Zoetis a larger presence in veterinary imaging services while strengthening its push into digitally connected and AI-supported diagnostics. VitalRADS contributes an established customer base, a specialist network, cloud infrastructure, and multiple imaging services that complement Zoetis’ laboratory and point-of-care technologies. If completed as planned, the transaction could move Zoetis closer to an end-to-end virtual diagnostics offering that helps veterinary teams access expertise, interpret complex cases, and coordinate care more efficiently.