Radiology
- What types of radiographic imaging is available at Veterinary Specialty Center?
- Radiographs (x-rays)
- Ultrasound
- CT
- What should I know to prepare my pet for imaging?
- Fasting--will my pet need to be fasted?
Yes, your pet should have no food after midnight, but water is permitted
- Sedation/Anesthesia- Is sedation or general anesthesia necessary to achieve radiographs, ultrasound, or CT?
- Radiographs - sometimes light sedation or anesthesia is necessary for certain views, especially orthopedic views. Chest and abdomen views are usually done awake.
- Ultrasound - often done without any sedation. However, sedation may be needed for those uncooperative or wiggly ones. Very rarely will we sedate for Echocardiograms (heart ultrasounds).
- CT - general anesthesia is required for this procedure. During all scans the animal must remain in the exact same position for proper orientation and interpretation by the radiologist.
- Will my animal's hair be cut or clipped for these procedures?
- Radiographs - generally not, unless a catheter is placed to administer sedation/anesthesia
- Ultrasound - yes. If it is an abdominal ultrasound the hair will be clipped off the entire belly and often times part of the left and right side in order to examine all organs. For cardiac ultrasounds (Echocardiograms) the hair will be clipped around the heart on both the left and right side.
- CT - an IV catheter will be placed for the procedure, so a small area of the leg is generally clipped for that, but no other clipping of hair is required.
- IF you have questions regarding the clipping of your animal's hair, please alert a doctor or technician prior to the procedure.
- How long will it take for the procedure's results?
- Radiographs are interpreted immediately after they are processed, unless the DVM requests a radiologist's review. The radiologist is here every Tuesday, or films can be mailed to him if results are needed sooner.
- Ultrasounds are interpreted during or immediately after the procedure.
- CT's that are performed on Tuesdays are read on Tuesdays. Otherwise they are sent out to be read and we usually receive results within 24 hours. Tuesdays are generally reserved for animals needing a CT scan immediately followed by surgery or a procedure.
