Your Guide to Veterinary Radiology

Veterinary radiology is a crucial aspect of veterinary care and helps our veterinarians diagnose and treat various medical conditions in dogs and cats. If you need radiology services, we’re here to help!

What is Veterinary Radiology?

Veterinary radiology uses imaging techniques to diagnose diseases, injuries, and conditions in pets. Like in human medicine, veterinarians use various imaging techniques to get a detailed look of health issues going on inside your pet’s body without requiring invasive procedures. The most common types of imaging used in veterinary radiology include:

• X-rays (Radiographs): The most common imaging technique, X-rays use a safe level of electromagnetic waves to create pictures of your pet’s bones, as well as the size, shape, and position of organs like the heart, lungs, liver, and intestines. X-rays are especially helpful for diagnosing broken bones, arthritis, some types of tumors or masses, and problems such as fluid in the lungs or swallowed objects.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of your pet’s internal organs. It’s especially useful for examining soft tissues like the heart, liver, kidneys, and other abdominal organs. Ultrasound is commonly used to investigate internal illness, monitor organ health, and confirm pregnancy.
• CT (Computed Tomography) Scans: CT scans use X-rays to create highly detailed, cross-sectional images of your pet’s body. CT provides much more detail than standard X-rays and is especially helpful for evaluating complex fractures, nasal and sinus disease, dental issues, and certain types of tumors.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create highly detailed images of your pet’s brain, spinal cord, muscles, and other internal structures. MRI is the best tool for diagnosing neurological problems such as seizures, paralysis, intervertebral disc disease, and other disorders affecting the brain or spinal cord.

What does veterinary imaging help detect?

Veterinary imaging can help detect and evaluate a variety of conditions that your pet might have.

• Foreign Bodies: If your pet has swallowed or been injured by something that does not belong in their body, such as toys, bones, fabric, or other non-digestible objects, imaging helps us locate it and determine whether it is causing an obstruction or other complications.
• Bone Fractures and Joint Issues: Imaging is essential for identifying broken bones, dislocations, arthritis, luxating patellas, hip or elbow dysplasia, and other orthopedic problems in dogs and cats.
• Internal Organ Problems: Imaging helps us evaluate your pet’s heart, lungs, and abdominal organs to detect issues such as pneumonia, heart enlargement, bladder stones, or liver and kidney problems.
• Tumors and Masses: Detect the presence of tumors or abnormal masses in various parts of your pet’s body, including their lungs, abdomen, and bones.
• Dental Issues: Dental X-rays help us evaluate the parts of the teeth that cannot be seen above the gumline. They allow us to diagnose tooth root abscesses, fractures, retained teeth, bone loss from periodontal disease, and other hidden dental problems.
• Respiratory Issues: Imaging helps us assess the lungs, airways, and heart. It is key for diagnosing pneumonia and can show changes that may indicate other respiratory or heart-related conditions.
• Reproductive Issues: Imaging can confirm pregnancy, assess fetal number and development, and help detect complications during pregnancy, especially in the later stages when fetal bones become visible on X-ray.
• Spinal Issues: Imaging can reveal fractures and other structural problems in the spine. MRI shows the spinal cord in the most detail, while X-rays and CT help assess bone and disc changes.

What to Expect with Veterinary Radiology

We understand that you may have a lot of questions if your veterinarian recommends radiology for your pet. Here at MetroVet Veterinary Clinic, we’re here to guide you through each step of the process. Here’s a look at what you can expect if your pet needs our radiology services.

1. Assessment and Preparation: Your veterinarian will assess your pet’s condition and decide which imaging technique is most appropriate. Depending on the procedure, your pet might need to avoid food and water beforehand or receive sedation to ensure they remain still during the imaging. Don't worry–we'll discuss everything with you beforehand and answer any questions you have!
2. Imaging: The imaging process itself is painless and generally pretty quick. For X-rays, your pet will be positioned on a table, and the radiograph will be taken. Ultrasound involves moving a probe over the area that we want to take a look at. CT and MRI scans might require more time and sedation due to the complexity of the equipment and the need for your pet to remain completely still.
3. Interpretation: Once we get the images back, our veterinarians will review the images and may recommend a review by a boarded veterinary radiologist in order to get the most precise diagnosis.
4. Diagnosis and Treatment Plan: Our veterinary team will discuss the diagnosis with you and recommend a treatment plan based on the results.This might involve surgery, or medication. We will ensure you are comfortable with the treatment plan before we begin any next steps.

Vet Radiology Services Near Boston

Veterinary radiology plays an essential role in diagnosing and treating various conditions in pets, from broken bones to internal organ issues. If you are looking for veterinary radiology services, call us at (857) 277-7781 or book an appointment online below. We’re here to provide the best possible care for your furry friends!