Are you curious about what is going on inside your dog's body? When your dog is experiencing abnormal symptoms, diagnostic imaging can provide a clear picture. Diagnostic imaging can consist of X-rays, CT scans, and other diagnostic tools. When a definitive diagnosis is needed, your veterinarian will conduct at least one of these diagnostic imaging tests.
Roles of Diagnostic Imaging
The role of diagnostic imaging is to help diagnose any ailments inside your dog's body. At Advance Care Veterinary Hospital, our veterinarians will look for anything that could be out of place, maybe something that shouldn't be there, or diseases that you can't see. These diagnosis tools allow for a safe look inside the body without being invasive.
For instance, if your dog is limping, it could have a fracture. You can't see it, but you don't know for sure. In another instance, you feel a lump inside its belly. In both circumstances, your vet will perform the best diagnostic imaging type to provide you with a precise diagnosis.
Types of Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic imaging for a dog is basically the same as for a human. Most veterinary hospitals are equipped to perform x-rays, ultrasounds, and CT scans. Here is what each one does.
X-Rays for Dogs
X-rays (digital radiographs) are pictures that help reveal hidden information inside a dog's body. This type of diagnostic imaging is entirely non-invasive, making it safe and painless. It's used to evaluate organs and bones and conditions that include pregnancy, foreign objects swallowed, fractured bones, spinal cord diseases, chronic arthritis, bladder stones, and some types of tumors.
Ultrasounds for Dogs
Ultrasounds (ultrasonography) are sound waves directed to an area of interest inside a dog's body. The sound waves are reflected or absorbed by the tissues that they encounter. They're like a two-dimensional picture of the tissues making this an invaluable examination of internal organs. It's beneficial for pregnancy diagnosis, cysts, and tumors. Even though the fur must be shaved, this procedure is entirely non-invasive, making it as safe and painless as x-rays.
CT Scans for Dogs
CT scans (computed tomography) are pictures similar to x-rays, providing more important detailed information that would otherwise not have been seen using a standard X-ray. This diagnostic imaging requires your dog to be sedated because the patient must be as still as possible. Other than that, it is also non-invasive.
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Is Diagnostic Imaging for Dogs Safe?
Rest assured, your dog will not experience any pain during any diagnostic imaging procedure while under the care of our veterinarians here at Advance Care Veterinarian Hospital. Sure, your pet may be nervous and experience some stress, but that's simply because they're not sure what's happening. And as far as radiation goes, dogs hardly encounter having to have X-rays; therefore, their radiation exposure is minimal, which keeps your beloved pet very safe.
With a veterinarian monitoring vital signs closely, these procedures are safe and painless. They can provide information about the spine, the nasal cavity, the inner ear, bones/joints, and the chest/lungs. It is also used to access lymph nodes, the thyroid gland, abdominal organs, the skull/brain, and vascular structures. The CT scan gives your veterinarian more detailed information than x-rays and ultrasounds.
Advanced Care Veterinarian Hospital's veterinarian team is highly experienced and will care for your dog like it was our own pet. If you have concerns about your pet, call our office to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Advanced Care for Veterinary Services?
Advanced Care is more than just a primary care hospital. Our patients and clients are special to us, and we always treat everyone who comes to visit as another family member every time they walk through our doors. We do not treat every patient the same because we understand that each one requires individualized care and attention.
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