Diagnostic Imaging: Why You Want Fast, High-Quality Care For Your Pet
When pets are in pain, they can’t tell us where it hurts. They just don’t speak our language and some diseases are simply hard to diagnose in animals. Underlying, hidden health problems can cause a number of symptoms and standard tests don’t always show everything going on inside your pet.
This is where highly accurate veterinary diagnostic imaging is critical for diagnosis and treatment. Sage Veterinary Imaging offers human-grade technology and highly detailed images. Combined with a team of experts, we enable fast diagnosis and effective treatment plans for pets suffering from complex pain.
For you and your vet, this means getting a clearer picture of your pet’s problem. With the latest equipment and leading science, we get answers and provide the best possible treatment and a more positive outcome for your four-legged friend.
Sage Veterinary Imaging specializes in diagnostic imaging for your pets to find underlying causes of disease and pain.
What is veterinary diagnostic imaging?
Veterinary diagnostic imaging is an umbrella term for a few different things. Sometimes these phrases are used interchangeably. Below are the types of diagnostic imaging modalities commonly used:
Radiography (X-ray)
Ultrasonography (Ultrasound)
Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Veterinary radiography has been around since the late-1880s. We now know these early practitioners were using the very first forms of x-ray, and in turn, maybe doing more harm than good. The detrimental effects of x-rays were not truly understood until the 1950s. X-ray technology is now a safe form of diagnostic imaging and since the 1960s has been used in veterinary medicine with no risk posed to staff or your pets.[1]
Ultrasound was adopted into regular practice in the 1990s. Most veterinary offices have ultrasound machines. This is the same type of ultrasound you receive at a hospital. Ultrasonography is the second most commonly used imaging format in veterinary practice.
CT scans were first used with humans in 1971. About 10 years later, experimentation with animals and CT began to happen. CT scans became a commonplace procedure for animals in the 90s. It’s less common for a general practice clinic to have a CT scan onsite.
Lastly, MRI is the latest technology to make waves in the veterinary diagnostic imaging field. MRI was used with humans a bit later than CT, in 1977. The first MRI trials for dogs were probably done during off hours by some very clever doctors, and by the mid-to late-90s, MRI became a regularly practiced and studied format for diagnostic imaging for pets. Even less common than CT scans, MRIs are generally performed by an outpatient diagnostic imaging center.
Sage Veterinary Imaging offers Ultrasound, CT, and MRI for your pets. It is the only outpatient imaging center of its type in Round Rock, Texas and Sandy, Utah.
Why is fast, human-quality diagnostic imaging important for my pet?
The clear, accurate images you’ll get from Sage Veterinary Imaging are vitally important for the diagnosis and treatment of your pet. These images help determine the best treatment protocol and also guide procedures if surgery if necessary. Because they are so detailed, vets have a complete picture of your pet’s health helping them make more informed decisions.
The clarity and quality of good diagnostic imaging act as a roadmap for treating veterinarians. High-quality equipment generates the best test results, meaning they can be clearly interpreted, especially in smaller animals where internal organs are more compressed.
At Sage Veterinary Imaging, we use a 128-slice CT scanner with a 128-slice CT scan, pets don’t often need anesthesia. With MRI or the older, slower, 16-slice CT scanners commonly used in veterinary medicine, animals need to be fully anesthetized to keep them completely still for the scan.
In contrast, our 128-slice CT scan takes only a few seconds to acquire a large number of slices (pictures), which means we can use light sedation to calm your pet for the study. Because scan times are shorter with Sage Veterinary Imaging, your pet is in and out in the least possible amount of time.
How do high-quality images benefit my pet?
Imagine looking at your pet’s images through a dirty window. Without state-of-the-art imaging like that found at Sage Veterinary Imaging, diagnosing and treating your pet is like looking through a dirty window: nothing is perfectly clear.
This is especially critical should your pet need surgery. Surgeons are better prepared to address your pet’s health issue quickly when they can rely on the quality of the images. They are able to ‘see’ the problem in advance of making an incision. Secondly, studies have shown that the longer pets are under anesthesia (as they are during surgery), the poorer the outcome.
The 3T MRI at Sage Veterinary Imaging offers twice the accuracy in half the time.
What can I expect if my pet needs diagnostic imaging?
The team at Sage Veterinary Imaging works closely with your veterinarian to secure the best possible images to determine a diagnosis. This may involve a CT scan, 3T MRI, echocardiogram, ultrasound, scintigraphy, or image-guided biopsy.
Before your pet’s procedure, they should not eat for 12 hours. This ensures a clearer picture and protects your pet from aspirating (getting undigested food caught in their airway) during the exam.
When you arrive at the appointment, our skilled technicians may conduct bloodwork to ensure your pet is ready for the procedure. We may also shave a small area on their leg to allow us to place a catheter, and a portion of their belly may also be shaved if an ultrasound exam is required. Some dogs and cats have sensitive skin and may show some signs of razor burn, even when their fur is gently shaved with our electric safety trimmers. This is normal and will heal quickly.
When cleared, your dog will be sedated to keep them calm, but this will always be discussed with you in advance. Sedation and anesthesia are necessary because any movement during the scan will disrupt the procedure and result in a murky image. This also helps keep your pet calm and comfortable.
Once your dog is asleep and positioned on the diagnostic equipment, the technicians will begin the procedure. This will only take a few minutes, and your dog will be supervised the entire time.
After the procedure is complete, images are available quickly and sent to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will have full access to your pet’s diagnostic images and will have the option to discuss your pet’s case in depth with our radiology staff.
Sage Veterinary Imaging in Sandy, Utah
How do I find diagnostic imaging for dogs in Texas or Utah?
When your pet is acting differently and showing signs of distress, it may need a CT scan. And we know you only want the best for your animal. With a higher slice count scanner like the 128 slice CT at Sage Veterinary Imaging, the radiologists, surgeons, and veterinarians are able to see more of your pet’s complete health profile. Our goal is to make the most informed decisions to help your pet.
Dr. Jaime Sage, the founder, received her veterinary training at Texas A&M. After completing a radiology residency, she received further training as an MRI specialist with Patrick Gavin, PhD, DACVR/RO, one of the early pioneers of veterinary MRI.
Dr. Sage is currently president of the CT & MRI Society of the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) and has issued over 20,000 MRI reports over the past 15 years. She lectures frequently at meetings and conferences worldwide.
For more information on where to find diagnostic imaging for dogs in Texas or Utah, go to our Contact Us page to learn more.
References:
https://www.tuftsyourdog.com/doghealthandmedicine/a-brief-history-of-radiologic-time/
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/clinical-pathology-and-procedures/diagnostic-imaging/ultrasonography-in-animals
