Sometimes, your veterinarian needs to see the internal workings of your dog to make an adequate prognosis on his health. Veterinary diagnostic imaging helps us do that. You’re probably familiar with radiographs, (X-rays), ultrasounds, MRIs and CT scans. Each of these tools offers ways we visualize organs and abnormalities within your dog for a more in-depth picture of your dog’s health.
As you know, your typical dog wellness exam consists of your veterinarian checking your dog’s weight and surveying his overall health. It includes a simple eye examination, dental health checkup and listening to his heartbeat with a stethoscope. Each of these offers clues as to your dog’s health, but there is only so much you can tell from the exterior. Diagnostic imaging can help answer any questions about the internal workings of your dog.
Why Would You Need Diagnostic Imaging?
Imagine this: your dog is vomiting and you suspect he ate something he was not supposed to ingest. A radiograph will show us if your Fitbit is indeed inside Fido or if he is having a reaction to something else. Or, if your dog had an accident that is impacting his ability to walk, an MRI can show if there is a herniated disc or another type of spinal injury.
Let’s look at each of the four types of medical imaging and when they’re used.
The Four Types of Diagnostic Imaging
What dog diagnostic tests all have in common is that they all show internal “pictures” of different parts of your dog’s anatomy which help your veterinarian make a more informed diagnosis of your dog’s health.
Radiographs
You are probably quite familiar with X-rays, or radiographs as they known. They are the most common piece of diagnostic equipment we use in the veterinary hospital.
The process of taking a radiograph is the same for dogs as it is for people, though we use a smaller radiology machine. Essentially, your dog is positioned for the x-ray beam to examine a specific body area. It is a very low level of radiation and safe for your dog. Radiographs can assess broken bones, arthritis, foreign material in the digestive tract and other common concerns. We may need to sedate your dog to perform the radiograph because sedation calms dogs, reduces anxiety, and ensures we obtain the needed pictures.
Ultrasounds
After radiographs, this is the next most common diagnostic imaging tool. When your veterinarian suspects a heart problem, for example, they will likely recommend an ultrasound (echocardiogram specifically). It is a better tool for showing details of soft tissues and organs than a traditional radiograph.
An ultrasound machine uses a small probe pressed on your dog’s body. This probe sends sound waves into your dog, and based on the returning echoes from the sound waves, shows your dog’s organs and tissues on a display monitor. While a radiograph will show your dog’s heart, an ultrasound does a better job of depicting the presence and type of heart functionality and specifically abnormlaities. As you may know, heart disease comes in many forms. There can be fluid buildup resulting from leaky heart valves, weak walls of the heart chambers, or restricted blood flow through the heart, each of which requires a different type of treatment.
Often, radiographs and ultrasounds are used to complement one another.
Dog MRI
Your veterinarian may recommend a dog MRI if your dog is experiencing mobility issues. An MRI (or Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is excellent for detecting spinal or brain injuries. Your dog lays in a special machine, and a powerful magnetic field reveals your dog's internal structure. It is especially good for revealing internal bleeding or inflammation.
If you are familiar with human MRI’s, you know you are put into a tubular device for scanning. Your dog’s experience is similar, though they will be sedated to ensure they remain still and calm allowing the MRI to perform the imaging it is intended to do.
CT Scans
CT scans, or “cat scans,” have nothing to do with cats and everything to do with a special type of imaging. They focus on specific areas of your dog’s body and are often used for imaging complex areas such as the chest. They provide more detailed images of internal tissues than traditional radiographs.
In all, having such advanced medical imaging tools available means your dog can get the best treatment possible.
Is Diagnostic Imaging Safe for My Dog?
In a word, “yes.” Diagnostic imaging is safe and non-invasive for your dog. Your dog will be evaluated beforehand to ensure his safety, and your veterinarian will go over everything with you and answer any questions. Dog diagnostic imaging can help your dog live a long and healthy life by getting the very best treatment. From assessing fractures to internal inflammation, these medical imaging tools provide your veterinarian with the insight needed to recommend the best treatment plan for your dog.
If you have any concerns about veterinary diagnostic imaging or feel your dog may have an internal health issue, please make an appointment to discuss with your veterinarian.