Your Guide to Veterinary Radiology

Veterinary radiology is a crucial aspect of veterinary care and helps our veterinarians diagnose and treat various medical conditions in dogs and cats. If you need pet radiology services, we’re here to help!

What is Veterinary Radiology?

Veterinary radiology uses imaging techniques to diagnose diseases, injuries, and conditions in pets. Like in human medicine, veterinarians use various imaging techniques to get a detailed look of health issues going on inside your pet’s body without requiring invasive procedures. The most common types of imaging used in veterinary radiology include:

• X-rays (Radiographs): The most common imaging technique, X-rays use a safe level of electromagnetic waves to create pictures of your pet’s bones, as well as the size, shape, and position of organs like the heart, lungs, liver, and intestines. X-rays are especially helpful for diagnosing broken bones, arthritis, some types of tumors or masses, and problems such as fluid in the lungs or swallowed objects.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of your pet’s internal organs. It’s especially useful for examining soft tissues like the heart, liver, kidneys, and other abdominal organs. Ultrasound is commonly used to investigate internal illness, monitor organ health, and confirm pregnancy.

What does veterinary imaging help detect?

Vet radiology can help detect and evaluate a variety of conditions that your pet might have.

• Foreign Bodies: If your pet has something in their body that isn't supposed to be there, such as toys, bones, or other non-digestible items, imaging will help us detect it.
• Bone Fractures and Joint Issues: Imaging helps us detect bone fractures, dislocations, or other orthopedic issues like arthritis or joint dysplasia in your dog or cat.
• Internal Organ Problems: Imaging helps us evaluate conditions in your pet like an enlarged heart, liver, or spleen or conditions like pneumonia, bladder stones, or kidney problems.
• Tumors and Masses: Detect the presence of tumors or abnormal masses in various parts of your pet’s body, including their lungs, abdomen, and bones.
• Dental Issues: Dental X-rays assess the health of your pet’s teeth and their surrounding bone structure. This can reveal issues like tooth root abscesses, fractures, or bone loss due to periodontal disease.
• Respiratory Issues: X-rays of your pet’s chest can help us diagnose respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, and pleural effusion (fluid in the chest cavity).
• Reproductive Issues: Radiology can be used to determine if your pet is pregnant, assess fetal development, and detect complications.
• Spinal Issues: Including herniated discs, vertebral fractures, or abnormalities that might be causing neurological symptoms.

What to Expect with Veterinary Radiology

We understand that you may have a lot of questions if your veterinarian recommends radiology for your pet. Here at Livewell Animal Urgent Care of East Nashville, we’re here to guide you through each step of the process. Here’s a look at what you can expect if your pet needs our radiology services.

1. Assessment and Preparation: Your veterinarian will assess your pet’s condition and decide which imaging technique is most appropriate. Depending on the procedure, your pet might need to avoid food and water beforehand or receive sedation to ensure they remain still during the imaging. Don't worry–we'll discuss everything with you beforehand and answer any questions you have!
2. Imaging: The imaging process itself is painless and generally pretty quick. For X-rays, your pet will be positioned on a table, and the radiograph will be taken. Ultrasound involves moving a probe over the area that we want to take a look at. 
3. Interpretation: Once we get the images back, our veterinarians will review the images and may recommend a review by a boarded veterinary radiologist in order to get the most precise diagnosis.
4. Diagnosis and Treatment Plan: Our veterinary team will discuss the diagnosis with you and recommend a treatment plan based on the results. This might involve surgery, or medication. We will ensure you are comfortable with the treatment plan before we begin any next steps.

Vet Radiology Services Near Nashville

Veterinary radiology plays an essential role in diagnosing and treating various conditions in pets, from broken bones to internal organ issues. If you are looking for dog or cat radiology services, call us at (615) 656-8538 or book an appointment online below. We’re here to provide the best possible care for your furry friends!