What is Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging?

Diagnostic imaging involves using tools such as radiographs, ultrasound, or endoscopes to help make an accurate diagnosis when your pet is sick. These procedures are minimally invasive and help give us a better understanding of the internal health of your pet. 

Computed Tomography (CT): CT is a tool we offer, that uses x-rays to produce images of the inside of the body and cross-sectional “slices” for viewing. CT scans of internal organs, bones, and blood vessels provide great detail, which allows our veterinary team to make an informed diagnosis.

Digital Radiography: Digital radiography allows our team to capture and process x-ray images for diagnostic purposes. The enhanced image quality of digital radiographs and fast results facilitate more efficient diagnosis and treatment planning for your pet.

Endoscopy: This procedure uses a flexible tube with a light and camera to examine the interior of organs, such as the gastrointestinal tract.

Ultrasound Procedures: Our facility offers abdominal, cardiac, and thoracic ultrasound services. Ultrasound-guided aspirates can also be performed, if necessary. 

 Abdominal Ultrasound

  • An abdominal ultrasound is a form of medical imaging used to evaluate the size, shape, blood flow, and density of abdominal organs.
  • Ultrasound allows for evaluation of most of the soft tissue structures in the abdomen. This means that ultrasound can show abnormalities or changes within the abdominal organs such as masses, change in organ density, or changes in organ shape. Abdominal ultrasound can help aid in the diagnosis of ailments such as pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, liver disease, abdominal tumors, and much more.

Echocardiogram (Cardiac Ultrasound)

  • An echocardiogram, also known as a cardiac ultrasound, allows for detailed evaluation of the heart. An echocardiogram will evaluate the heart chamber sizes, heart strength during contraction, blood flow, and overall structural heart health. It also screens for congenital heart defects, structural valvular abnormalities, and valve leaks.
  • Echocardiograms are often used to as a diagnostic tool for conditions such as heart murmurs or heart disease. DISCLAIMER: Our doctor is not a board-certified veterinary cardiologist, but has taken additional training to provide these services to our clients; there are individual cases where it may be determined that a patient may be better served from an evaluation by a cardiologist.

Thoracic Ultrasound

  • A thoracic ultrasound is a form of medical imaging used to evaluate the chest cavity for fluid, tumors, abnormal lung tissue and other disorders. 

Ultrasound-Guided Aspirates

  • Our veterinarian may recommend performing ultrasound guided sampling, typically via aspiration, to obtain additional information.  Samples obtained in this manner can help to characterize chronic diseases, such as liver disease, and can aid in the diagnosis of cancer.
  • In these patients, the ultrasound is used to help guide a sampling device into the appropriate tissue for collection. These samples can then be submitted to a veterinary (clinical) pathologist for examination. Ultrasound can also be used to remove fluid from body cavities for analysis or therapeutically, such as the abdomen (abdominocentesis), chest (thoracocentesis), and from around the heart (pericardiocentesis). 
  • Ultrasound guided aspirates require sedation to minimize patient discomfort. In some cases, aspirates can be performed on the same day as the initial consultation. However, a second visit may be needed for this procedure. Patients are typically discharged the same day the procedure is performed.