Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

What is Vet Diagnostic Imaging?

Vet diagnostic imaging uses technologies like X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans to noninvasively show what's inside your pet's body. These images help find problems, do treatments, and check health changes. Diagnostic imaging is very important for modern vet medicine.

These imaging technologies, often used as part of wellness screening and diagnostic workups, include:

Radiography (X-rays) uses short wavelength electromagnetic radiation to produce images of bone, tissue, and fluid density differences.
Ultrasonography uses safe high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal organs based on sound feedback.
Computed tomography (CT) uses rotating X-ray beams and computer synthesis to make 3D cross-sectional images slice-by-slice.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses powerful magnets and radio frequencies to generate 3D anatomic images based on proton density and tissue conduction.

What to Expect During Vet Diagnostic Imaging

Our vet radiologists take diagnostic images using specialized, high-resolution equipment right in our vet hospital. For X-rays, your pet will be gently positioned, and images taken from different angles based on the area of concern. For ultrasounds, a transducer glides over the skin after applying the gel.

For advanced CT/MRI, your pet is awake but stays still during the short scan. Most procedures are quick, with pets and owners present nearby. You can view your pet's images and discuss the results with the radiologist afterward.

How Vet Diagnostic Imaging Benefits Your Pet

Images provide critical information about conditions not visible externally for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Radiologists can identify signs of cancer, fractures, organ malformations, bladder stones, tumors, and much more. Images also guide minimally invasive procedures like biopsies.

They monitor disease progression over time to adjust treatments accordingly. By finding internal issues early, imaging leads to better health outcomes for your pet. See what you can't see to learn more about your pet's health. Contact Vets ASAP today to learn more about our vet diagnostic imaging services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Some common concerning signs that often lead to recommendation for imaging include new onset limping or lameness, localized swelling of joints/limbs/abdomen, signs of abdominal pain or GI issues,sudden reluctance to jump onto furniture, onset of straining or urinary issues, unexplained significant weight loss, exercise intolerance or lethargy, seizure activity, and other physical or behavioral changes.

For most routine imaging like standard 2D x-rays and ultrasound, pets need only gentle restraint and minimal sedation at most to stay still and comfortable. However, for advanced cross-sectional imaging like CT scans and MRIs where stillness is crucial, deeper anesthesia is needed for the duration of the scan to get the best diagnostic images without any motion blur or distortion.

Standard x-ray and ultrasound procedures have base fees starting around $xx based on the body region imaged. For advanced imaging like CT and MRI scans, pricing is based on the required scan time since they are done in real time. Longer diagnostic scans cost more than shorter screening scans.

We will try to give you a summary of initial scan findings and impressions right after your appointment when possible. However, finalized reports are completed within 48 hours (about 2 days) in all cases. Let us know if you need more urgent results reporting!

Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

What is Vet Diagnostic Imaging?

What to Expect During Vet Diagnostic Imaging

How Vet Diagnostic Imaging Benefits Your Pet

Frequently Asked Questions

What symptoms may warrant diagnostic imaging?

Will my pet need sedation or anesthesia?

How are costs for diagnostic imaging determined?

How quickly are results provided?

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