There are times when a pet is unwell and we need to carry out ‘diagnostic imaging’. In first opinion practice, this is often radiographs (commonly known as x-rays) or an ultrasound scan.

Sometimes we need to refer your pet for advanced imaging, such as a CT scan. This equipment allows us to assess and diagnose problems with internal structures in your pet’s body in a non-invasive manner. Ultimately, this allows us to generate a plan and treatment that allows your pet to have the best chance of recovery.

Radiography

X-rays are generated by light travelling through your pet’s body from a generator and onto a photogenic plate, (like a film from a camera). This plate is then developed and we can then assess the images. Different organs allow different amounts of light to travel through, which is how the image is generated. Typically all pets are under general anaesthesia for x-rays as we need to keep them very still in order to get the best image.

X-rays are frequently used to assess bones for any abnormalities - for example arthritis and fractures - and can help to diagnose cruciate disease. In cases where cruciate disease has been diagnosed we use these x-rays to help plan in house orthopaedic surgeries. They can also be used as part of a medical work up, for example checking for stones in a bladder.

X-rays are also used in an emergency setting as they can quickly give us important information about your pet’s status, for example, do they have a pneumothorax (air in the chest) after a road traffic accident?

Here at Coquet Vets we also have a specific machine to enable us to take high quality dental radiographs allowing us to assess a tooth root prior to extraction.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is another very useful non-invasive procedure that we can carry out on site. As the name implies, sound waves are passed through your pet’s body and the returning echo generates an image on our machine. Once again, different organs allow a varying amount of sound through and so different organs appear in different shades on the screen.

Sometimes we need to carry out the scans under sedation, but more often these are carried out conscious. Your pet requires hair to be clipped and then has a cuddle from one of our nurses as one of our vets scans your pet.

Ultrasound is extremely useful when looking at abdominal organs, for example the intestines or pancreas. It allows us to detect abnormal structures within an organ. It also invaluable when assessing a heart condition, as it allows us to see how the organ is functioning as well as its structure.

As you can see this equipment is invaluable in assessing organs without the need for surgery. Imaging is often done in conjunction with blood work to help build the fullest picture.

As always, if this article has raised any questions or concerns, just contact us on 01665 252 250 or email us at info@coquetvets.co.uk