Service
Imaging (X-rays and Ultrasound)
X-rays (radiographs) and ultrasonography (ultrasound) provide unique and complementary non-invasive and safe methods of getting a look inside your pet. While X-rays are a standard requirement of all veterinary hospitals in Ontario, ultrasonography is optional due to the cost of equipment and training involved. We’ve made the investment in both. They’re suited to different things and on occasion, we need both to give us a fuller picture of a patient’s health than either one provides alone. Here’s how they differ and why both are important diagnostic tools…
X-rays
X-rays use electromagnetic waves to create an image of internal structures of the body. They’re especially useful in identifying disease in the chest (asthma, bronchopneumonia, cancer, and fluid build-up from congestive heart failure, for instance) as well as musculoskeletal disease (including arthritis, developmental problems such as hip dysplasia, fractures and cancerous lesions in bones). They can also be useful in evaluating the abdomen (identifying urinary bladder stones, a tumour, problems such as constipation and ‘megacolon’, and so on).
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high frequency sound (ultrasound) waves to produce images of structures within the body. It involves no radiation whatsoever. Next to X-rays, ultrasound is the most common imaging method used in veterinary medicine. It allows us to see more detail where organs in the abdomen (abdominal ultrasound) are concerned including the bladder, kidney, liver, spleen, stomach, and intestines. It also allows us to assess the structure of the heart (cardiac ultrasound) for abnormalities in muscle walls and valves (especially important if we’re considering a procedure that involves sedation or general anesthesia in a patient with a heart murmur, for example). Using ultrasound, we can also look for fluid build-up in the chest or abdomen. And we can use it to safely guide sampling of fluids and tissues for further analysis.
Sedation is used only if a patient is too wiggly or experiencing too much pain to tolerate the mild pressure of the ultrasound probe.
we take our x-rays “hands-free”
Taking an X-ray traditionally requires two technicians to properly position and restrain a pet to capture an image. To avoid exposure to radiation, our techs use hands-free techniques – positioning devices, quiet, calm handling, and if needed, some mild sedation to help a patient relax so they can capture an image that’s of diagnostic quality. Your veterinarian will inform you if a light sedative is needed and will choose one that’s tailored to your pet.
There are certain x-rays (for example, those evaluating painful orthopedic conditions) that require heavier sedation. Your veterinarian will let you know if that level of sedation is indicated.
For more information visit: https://handsfreexrays.com/