RADIOLOGY & ULTRASOUND
At times your pet may need care that requires quick action. In order to be as responsive to your pet’s needs as possible, we provide full radiology services on-site during all regular business hours. Most of your pet’s x-ray procedures can be performed and interpreted while you wait.
Radiographs
The most common of these radiology services are x-rays, also referred to as radiographs. They are used to evaluate structures such as bones, lungs, heart, and abdominal organs. The x-ray process usually takes 20-30 minutes.
For safety reasons, owners are generally not allowed to be in the radiology room while radiographs are being taken.
Occasionally some pets need to be sedated to allow us to properly position them for their radiographs. If a pet requires sedation, we generally recommend leaving the pet with us for the day.
Once the radiographs are completed, our doctors will evaluate the images and go over the results with you. In some cases, your pet's radiographs may be submitted to a board-certified veterinary radiologist who reviews the x-rays we take to make sure we have obtained all the information we possibly can from your pet’s x-rays.
Ultrasound
As part of our radiology services we also offer ultrasound imaging by a board-certified veterinary radiologist.
Ultrasound imaging, or sonography, is a method of obtaining images from inside the pet through the use of high-frequency sound waves.
It is a wonderful tool that allows us to visualize the architecture of a pet’s abdominal organs in order to evaluate for masses, inflammation, stones, or other changes.
We can easily determine if there is abnormal fluid in the abdomen, chest cavity, or around the heart. Also, we can evaluate the size and function of the heart.
Ultrasound is a painless procedure and rarely if ever, do pets need to be sedated. Generally, pets should be fasted of food for 8 hours before their ultrasound. For abdominal ultrasounds, most pets will need to have their bellies shaved for the procedure.