When your pet is in need of diagnostics either for routine care or for diagnosing a condition, it can leave pet parents with some questions. Here, our Rochester vets talk about X-rays and CT scans and how these types of routine diagnostic imaging are used for dogs and cats.
Routine Diagnostic Imaging for Dogs & Cats
Diagnostic imaging tools such as CT scans and X-rays for dogs and cats are used to help the vet gain valuable insight into the internal functions and state of their health.
Electromagnetic radiation and other technologies are used in routine diagnostic imaging procedures for dogs and cats. They capture extremely detailed images of your pet's bones, soft tissues, and other internal structures so your vet can offer an accurate diagnosis and plan effective treatments.
What can a vet see with CT scans and X-rays for cats and dogs?
X-rays are one of the most useful and widely used tools in both human and veterinary medicine. X-rays allow veterinarians to see your pet's bones, tissues, and internal organs, allowing them to diagnose problems such as broken bones, bladder stones, swallowing foreign objects, and more.
X-ray images can assist veterinarians in detecting tumors, pregnancy, and enlarged organs, which may lead to a diagnosis of heart disease or cancer. However, X-ray technology cannot provide a detailed view of organs, tissues, and ligaments. Other diagnostic imaging, such as MRI and ultrasounds, are more useful in these cases. An X-ray of a pregnant dog can also help you prepare for puppy birth by revealing how many puppies your dog is expecting and whether a c-section surgery is necessary for any reason.
The CT machine's high-resolution images allow us to evaluate your pet's anatomy in great detail, which we would not be able to see with standard X-rays. CT scanners provide excellent detail of the body's bony and soft tissue structures.
What to Expect During a Routine Diagnostic Imaging Appointment
While both CT scans and X-rays are a type of diagnostic imaging, and both provide us with a look at your pet's internal systems, they are quite different.
X-rays for Dogs & Cats
With a digital X-ray (radiograph) for cats or dogs, we use very low doses of radiation to examine the inside of the body to reveal important information that might not be easily viewed from the outside.
This procedure is used to evaluate organs and bones and to diagnose conditions such as spinal cord diseases, arthritis, broken bones, bladder stones, and some tumors.
You can also rest easy knowing that X-rays are safe for dogs and cats of all ages and in all conditions. The level of radiation is so low that it can even be used on pets that are pregnant.
CT Scans for Cats & Dogs
CT scans, or CAT scans, for cats and dogs, are useful when assessing the nasal passage, sinuses, lungs, thorax, ears, abdomen, and some orthopedic areas.
Your vet might recommend a CT scan if your pet has any condition ranging from lung disease to pulmonary fibrosis, metastatic cancer (before surgery), tumors or masses in the chest cavity, disease in the nasal cavity, trauma to the spine or pelvis, vascular anomalies or orthopedic developmental disease (elbow dysplasia).
When CT scans are used for diagnosing imaging, your vet can gain a more distinguished view of the bones and soft tissues. For the scan itself, your pet will be placed on a table that will slowly enter the machine and a full image will be produced. These scans can be performed quite quickly.
For these types of scans, an X-ray tube rotates around the patient to record images from several angles (the suspected health issue will determine the number of images captured) to create slices. The slices are then stacked together to produce a 3D image of your pet without superimposition of other tissues or organs.
Do I need to prepare for my dog or cat's X-ray or CT scan?
Often, an X-ray and CT scan are done when the animal is brought in to have an issue looked at by the vet. For that reason, no preparation is required.
If you have an X-ray or CT scan that was booked ahead of time for your pet, your vet will provide all instructions you will need for the day of the procedure.
Will my dog or cat need to be sedated for routine diagnostic imaging?
Sedation is sometimes necessary to obtain a clear X-ray. Sedation will not be required if your dog or cat is calm, not in too much pain, and able to lie in a comfortable position while the X-ray or CT scan is being performed.
Sedation, on the other hand, will be recommended if your dog or cat is squirmy, agitated, or in pain. Sedation may also be used during your pet's X-ray or scan if the dog's or cat's muscles need to be relaxed to obtain a clear image, or if the X-ray is being used on the skull, teeth, or spine.
A CT scan is a completely risk-free procedure. CT scans, like X-rays, use ionizing radiation, but at low doses that are not harmful to pets.
Are X-rays and CT scans safe for dogs and cats?
While X-rays and CT scanners are generally considered safe for dogs and cats, radiation is involved. As a result, X-rays and CT scans are typically used as diagnostic tools only on occasion. In some cases, veterinarians will use X-ray technology to determine a dog's pregnancy. However, other types of imaging, such as ultrasounds, could be used in that situation.
Speak with your veterinarian if you have any concerns about the use of X-ray or CT scanner technology and the health of your dog or cat. They will be able to explain the risks versus the benefits in your dog's and cat's specific case.
How much will my dog or cat's X-rays or CT scan cost?
The cost of your dog's or cat's X-rays will be determined by a variety of factors, including the size of your pet, the area being X-rayed, whether sedation was used, the type of clinic, where your veterinary clinic is located, and more. If you are concerned about the cost of your cat or dog's X-rays, consult with your veterinarian first.
CT scans are identical. The cost will vary depending on the services required for your pet.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet for an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition.