Dog Diagnostic Imaging

All About Diagnostic Imaging for Dogs

If you’re a pet owner, you know how important keeping your pet happy and healthy is. But when your dog shows signs of discomfort or illness, it can be difficult to determine the cause. Diagnostic imaging is a powerful tool veterinarians use to diagnose and treat various diseases in dogs. Diagnostic imaging provides valuable information about your pet’s health that vets can’t obtain through physical examination alone. At All Creatures Animal Hospital, we use the latest technology to provide your pet with the highest level of care.

How is Diagnostic Imaging Used in Diagnosing My Dog?

Diagnostic imaging is used to create images of the body's internal structures so that veterinarians can diagnose and treat health issues in your pet. It is a non-invasive and economical way for your veterinarian to examine your dog’s internal structures without surgery. By creating detailed images, diagnostic imaging can detect abnormalities or diseases that may not be apparent during a physical examination. Common diagnostic imaging techniques used in veterinary medicine include radiography (X-ray imaging), ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine imaging.

Dr. Carmine Esposito

What type of diagnostic imaging is available for dogs?

Our dogs today have numerous imaging options available. We have digital X-rays available, including whole body X-rays, thoracic X-rays, abdominal X-rays, orthopedic X-rays, even dental X-rays, and cervical and skull X-rays. We also have ultrasound, including abdominal ultrasounds, soft tissue ultrasounds, and thoracic ultrasounds that look at the heart. There is CT imaging, MRI imaging, and also scoping, including endoscopes and laparoscopes for procedures. There are numerous imaging modalities available for our dogs today.

What Does a Veterinary Radiologist Do?

A veterinary radiologist is a specialized veterinarian who interprets and evaluates diagnostic imaging. They are experts in interpreting medical images and use these images to diagnose diseases and abnormalities in animals. Veterinary radiologists use their expertise to help veterinarians determine the best course of treatment for their patients.

Pomeranian terrier mix getting ultrasound at veterinary clinic.

What Are the Different Types of Diagnostic Imaging?

Radiography (X-ray imaging) is the most common diagnostic imaging procedure used in veterinary practices. It produces black, white, and gray images (radiographs) of bones, foreign objects, and large body cavities. Radiography is particularly useful for detecting fractures, tumors, injuries, infections, and deformities. In some cases, specialized X-ray techniques called contrast procedures are used to provide more detailed images of body organs.

Ultrasonography, or ultrasound, is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of internal body structures. It is popular because it does not use ionizing radiation (X-rays) and can help evaluate pregnant animals and diagnose various diseases affecting the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, bladder, and more.

Computed tomography (CT) utilizes special X-ray equipment and sophisticated computers to produce multiple cross-sectional images of the body. CT scans provide more detailed information about pets' internal structures than regular X-rays and are particularly useful for diagnosing complex cases and visualizing soft tissues, including blood vessels and bones, in great detail.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced diagnostic imaging technique that uses powerful magnets, radio waves, and a computer to create detailed images of the body's internal structures. MRI scans provide valuable information for diagnosing neurological and musculoskeletal disorders in pets because they allow veterinarians to visualize soft tissues such as the brain, spinal cord muscles, and internal organs in great detail.

What Are Some of the Things that the Veterinarian Will Look for With Diagnostic Imaging?

Veterinarians use diagnostic imaging to identify and diagnose diseases, fractures, tumors, foreign objects, and other abnormalities. They look for changes in the size or shape of organs or bones as well as signs of inflammation or infection. Diagnostic imaging is also used to evaluate the heart, lungs, and other internal organs.

This is an open-ended question. It depends on what we are searching for. As clinicians, we are looking to find a diagnosis, a reason for the presentation. When you bring your dog in, we're trying to find an answer and an efficient way of treating them most appropriately. We pursue diagnostic imaging to find that answer for you.

What will determine which type of diagnostic imaging my veterinarian will use?

This will depend on the presentation and may also depend on what diagnostics have already been done. Often, as we pursue diagnostics, we get more clues or more answers that lead us in a direction that will point us to one diagnosis or diagnostic imaging modality over another. Often, X-rays and ultrasound are pursued first, and if more advanced imaging is required, it may be recommended later on.

Lateral x-ray of dog with bladder stones.

How long will I have to wait for results for my dog's imaging?

Most digital X-rays provide results pretty immediately. When we take them, we generally have answers then. Often nowadays, images are sent off to a veterinary radiologist to be read, and we get a report from them typically within 24 hours. Regarding ultrasound, if the hospital can do advanced diagnostic ultrasounds, they may be able to give you an answer right then and there or send it off to a radiologist to help interpret the images performed during that study. CT and MRIs are more advanced and typically done at a specialty center where they are read by radiologists. Those results may take a little longer to get back.

Will my dog need to be sedated for any type of diagnostic imaging?

This typically depends on the dog's personality and how anxious they are. Digital X-rays and ultrasound can generally be done without sedation if the dog is calm. There are always nuances to this. It depends on what we're trying to image, whether the patient is in pain, and the required positioning. Light sedation may be required for some of these more advanced imaging techniques. CT, MRI, and scoping with an endoscope generally require sedation or full anesthesia.

Will diagnostic imaging hurt my dog at all?

No. In general, our diagnostic imaging is considered safe. They are safe modalities.

Can I stay with my dog while the imaging or scans are being done?

Often, this is not allowed. Radiographs have radiation associated with them, so owners are not allowed to be present during the obtaining of the radiographs. Ultrasound itself is generally safe, and many times the owners can stay with their pets during the ultrasound. CT and MRI, similar to X-rays, often do not allow owners to be present while those modalities are being performed.

What happens if there are still no diagnostics for my dog after using diagnostic imaging?

Often, our diagnostic imaging is one part of the puzzle in figuring out the diagnosis for our patients. Many times we will get a diagnosis, and it will lead us to the next steps required to get a diagnosis. It is a key component in working our way down the path of diagnosing and treating your pet. Often, there will be a diagnosis from our diagnostic imaging, but many times, there may be clues from our imaging that indicate we need additional testing, which will point us in a direction to move forward.