Learning More About Cat Diagnostic Imaging
With the help of diagnostic imaging, veterinarians can detect a wide variety of conditions in cats quickly and accurately. Diagnostic imaging can be used to investigate internal injuries or conditions that may not be visible to the naked eye, offering insight into what is causing your cat’s symptoms. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of cat diagnostic imaging, how it’s used to detect conditions, and why early detection is so important for your cat’s health. Keep reading to learn more about cat diagnostic imaging and why it’s so important for your cat’s well-being.
What Is Cat Diagnostic Imaging?
Cat diagnostic imaging is a non-invasive way to determine what’s happening inside your cat. It uses images taken with specialized equipment to provide veterinarians with vital information for making an accurate diagnosis. The most common imaging techniques used in cats are X-rays (radiographs), ultrasound, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and CT (Computed Tomography) scans.
X-rays are the most widely used because they’re inexpensive, easy to perform, and can diagnose many conditions. However, soft tissues don’t absorb X-rays well and may require specialized techniques or other imaging methods for better visualization.
Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of body organs and is particularly useful for examining abdominal organs, heart, eyes, and reproductive organs in cats. An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound examination used to assess the heart. Additionally, there are endoscopes to help us see inside the GI tract, and laparoscopes that can help us see inside body cavities as well.
MRI and CT scans are more advanced diagnostic imaging techniques that provide detailed information about a cat’s internal organs, bones, and tissues. They’re particularly helpful for diagnosing brain tumors, prolapsed spinal discs, and other complex conditions that may not be visible through X-rays or ultrasound. However, MRI and CT scans are more expensive and may require referral to a specialized facility or teaching hospital and also require anesthesia.
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How is diagnostic imaging performed on cats?
For our cats, it depends on the modality being utilized and also on the behavior and anxiety of the cat. Most of our cats can have radiographs and an ultrasound done without sedation. If they're anxious or in pain, some light sedation may be required to get good images. Most of the imaging, like taking pictures with your camera, requires that the subject not be moving or shaking. If it moves or shakes, we'll get blurry images. If the cat is unable to sit still for the images required, then light sedation would be necessary.
CT and MRIs do require sedation, as they absolutely cannot move as they go through the tubes for that imaging. Laparoscopes and endoscopes also require sedation for those procedures.
When is diagnostic imaging recommended for cats?
There are many possible reasons to image our cats. It could be to figure out why our cat is sick. For example, we may have a cat that's been coughing or has a distended abdomen, and we're trying to determine why that's happening. It could be for illness, trying to determine a diagnosis and gain more insight into why the symptoms are presenting as they are.
It could also be for some healthy reasons. An example of a possible healthy reason to do some imaging is a pregnant female cat. If our cats are pregnant, we may want to determine if the fetuses are viable. Ultrasound could allow us to look at the heart and see if the hearts are beating. We could determine a heart rate on them. If we wanted a kitten count, we may do radiographs at a certain point in the pregnancy to count how many fetuses we see. It could be for sick reasons or healthy reasons.
Diagnostic imaging is an invaluable tool for veterinarians to detect and diagnose various health conditions in cats. It can be used to assess broken bones, cancerous tumors, dental issues, intestinal problems, heart conditions, soft tissue issues, respiratory problems, and bladder stones. In some cases, sedation or anesthesia may be required to ensure adequate image quality. Learn more about cat procedures requiring anesthesia from the Cornell Feline Health Center.
Is diagnostic imaging safe for my cat?
In general, our modalities are considered safe. Yes, MRI, CT, radiographs, and ultrasound are all considered to be safe.
How can I prepare my cat for diagnostic imaging?
The big thing most of us require is for the cat to be fasted. Certainly, for ultrasounds, CT, MR, anything that would require sedation, we would like them to be fasted if possible. If it's a planned procedure, that is ideal. In more urgent or emergent situations, we can move forward with the modalities without fasting them.
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How Will a Veterinarian Decide If a Cat Needs Diagnostic Imaging?
The decision to perform diagnostic imaging is based on a variety of factors, including the cat’s symptoms, medical history, and physical examination findings. A veterinarian who suspects an underlying condition or injury will likely recommend performing diagnostic imaging to help come to a conclusive diagnosis and help guide treatment.
Why Is Early Detection and Diagnosis of Internal Injury to Your Cat So Important?
Early detection and diagnosis of internal injuries in cats are important due to their rapid aging and the potential for health issues to progress quickly. Regular check-ups and diagnostic tests can help prevent and manage health conditions, ensuring the well-being of your feline companion. As a pet owner, staying informed and vigilant about your cat’s health can lead to a happier, healthier life for your furry friend.
How quickly will I get the results for my cat's diagnostic imaging test?
It'll depend on the modality. Radiographs usually allow us to get the results immediately. Ultrasound also, if available in the hospital you utilize, can provide results immediately. CT and MRIs tend to be more of a specialty imaging modality, and we tend to send those to specialty centers. All imaging can currently be sent off to a radiologist to be read and get a report from a boarded veterinary radiologist. If that is chosen as an option, it sometimes takes 24 hours to get the radiologist report back.
How often should my cat undergo diagnostic imaging if they have a chronic condition?
This is a very open-ended question. It will depend on the condition itself. Some imaging is a one-time modality, done to determine the diagnosis, after which we move on to treatment. However, other conditions that are more chronic and should be tracked a little better could be something like an echocardiogram to monitor a heart condition. Often, these need to be monitored every six to twelve months for progress, allowing us to adjust medical treatment based on what we find out from the echo.
Can diagnostic imaging be used to monitor the progression of a cat's disease?
As mentioned in the last question, like an echocardiogram, yes, there are diseases that can be monitored with imaging. It depends on the medical condition your cat has and is up to the clinician managing the case to determine how often we should be looking at the progression to adjust treatment protocols.
Cat Diagnostic Imaging at All Creatures Animal Hospital
Cat diagnostic imaging is an invaluable tool for veterinarians to detect and diagnose various health conditions in cats. With the help of advanced imaging technologies, specific body parts and organs can be quickly and accurately assessed to help resolve medical issues. Early detection and diagnosis of internal injuries are especially important to avoid progressing health issues and to ensure a high quality of life for your cat.
At All Creatures Animal Hospital, your pet is our priority. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call our team at (817) 326-6262, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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