If you’re a pet owner, you know how important keeping your furry companion happy and healthy is. But when your dog shows signs of discomfort or illness, it can be difficult to determine the cause. Diagnostic imaging is a powerful tool veterinarians use to diagnose and treat various diseases in dogs. Diagnostic imaging provides valuable information about your pet’s health that vets can’t obtain through physical examination alone. At Bridge Veterinary Hospital, we use the latest technology to provide your pet with the highest level of care. In this article, we’ll explain how diagnostic imaging is used to diagnose your dog, what a veterinary radiologist does, the different types of diagnostic imaging available, and how to ensure that your pet is safe during the process.
.jpg)
What is veterinary diagnostic imaging?
Veterinary diagnostic imaging is a completely painless and non-invasive collection of tools to assess your dog’s health.
Veterinary diagnostic imaging includes the following:
- Radiographs (x-rays)
- Ultrasound
- CT scans
- MRIs
Veterinarians use these images to gather information on your dog to assist them in making a medical decision, a treatment plan, and sometimes a surgical plan.
How is Diagnostic Imaging Used in Diagnosing My Dog?
Diagnostic imaging is used to create images of the body's internal structures so that veterinarians can diagnose and treat health issues in your pet. It is a non-invasive and economical way for your veterinarian to examine your dog’s internal structures without surgery. By creating detailed images, diagnostic imaging can detect abnormalities or diseases that may not be apparent during a physical examination.
What Does a Veterinary Radiologist Do?
A veterinary radiologist does extra schooling after veterinary school to become certified and specialized in all diagnostic imaging forms. A veterinary radiologist is someone that we would refer you to a specialty hospital to see. We would do that mainly for things like MRIs or CT scans. In these instances, there’s often something more specific that we need to diagnose; we may need a second opinion, or something doesn't make sense to us. In those cases, we like to have a professional look at them, so we would send the x-ray or ultrasound over to have a veterinary radiologist read it, review it, and give us their opinion.
.jpg)
What Are the Different Types of Diagnostic Imaging?
Radiography (X-ray imaging) is the most common diagnostic imaging procedure used in veterinary practices. It produces black, white, and gray images (radiographs) of bones, foreign objects, and large body cavities. Radiography is particularly useful for detecting fractures, tumors, injuries, infections, and deformities. In some cases, specialized X-ray techniques called contrast procedures are used to provide more detailed images of body organs.
Ultrasonography, or ultrasound, is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of internal body structures. It is popular because it does not use ionizing radiation (X-rays) and can help evaluate pregnant animals and diagnose various diseases affecting the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, bladder, and more.
Computed tomography (CT) utilizes special X-ray equipment and sophisticated computers to produce multiple cross-sectional images of the body. CT scans provide more detailed information about pets' internal structures than regular X-rays and are particularly useful for diagnosing complex cases and visualizing soft tissues, including blood vessels and bones, in great detail.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced diagnostic imaging technique that uses powerful magnets, radio waves, and a computer to create detailed images of the body's internal structures. MRI scans provide valuable information for diagnosing neurological and musculoskeletal disorders in pets because they allow veterinarians to visualize soft tissues such as the brain, spinal cord muscles, and internal organs in great detail.
What Are Some of the Things that the Veterinarian Will Look for With Diagnostic Imaging?
Veterinarians use diagnostic imaging to identify and diagnose diseases, fractures, tumors, foreign objects, and other abnormalities. They look for changes in the size or shape of organs or bones as well as signs of inflammation or infection. Diagnostic imaging is also used to evaluate the heart, lungs, and other internal organs.
.jpg)
Does My Dog Need to be Sedated for Diagnostic Imaging?
Sedation for diagnostic imaging in dogs depends on the specific procedure and the individual dog. Sometimes, sedation may be necessary to ensure the dog remains still during the procedure, allowing for clear, high-quality images. This is particularly true for X-rays, as sedation can help calm dogs, reduce anxiety, and prevent movement that could blur the images. However, sedation is not always necessary, and in some cases, it may not be recommended. The primary disadvantage of sedation is the potential for side effects, including lowering blood pressure, which can cause grogginess and coldness.
Is Diagnostic Imaging Safe for My Dog?
Yes. We do x-rays so infrequently on dogs that the amount of radiation they're exposed to is so minimal that it's very safe. It may be a little bit stressful for your pet, but it’s generally over so quickly that they are done before they even realize anything is happening.
Ultrasound imaging is also very safe. It's the same thing techs use for imaging babies in the womb, so there are no side effects to it at all. It is an excellent way to get more information about your pet without doing something more invasive or harmful to them. So it's a way that your doctor can get more information on what's going on with your dog without doing anything that might potentially cause them pain.
Conclusion
Diagnostic imaging is an essential tool veterinarians use to diagnose and treat dog injuries and diseases in dogs. By creating detailed images, diagnostic imaging works to detect abnormalities or diseases that may not be visible through physical examination alone. At Bridge Veterinary Hospital, your pet is our priority. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call our team at (567) 361-3407, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
Don't forget to follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram.