Hunting relief for your hunting dog?

Why human-quality imaging is important for working, sporting, and hunting dogs like Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, and others 

Why is my dog suddenly moving slowly and appearing to be in pain?

Seeing your dog move uncomfortably in apparent pain is difficult. For working and sporting dogs trained to lead very active lives, limited mobility can severely impact their quality of life. In fact, nearly 25% of dogs in the US (approximately 20 million) suffer from some type of osteoarthritis or musculoskeletal disease. These are common diseases in senior or large breed dogs (such as Belgian Malinois) as well as working or sporting dogs with very active lifestyles.

What is an MRI for dogs? Is it necessary to diagnose my dog’s condition?

Receiving an accurate diagnosis of your dog’s condition is vital in developing an appropriate treatment plan for musculoskeletal diseases in dogs. An image gathered using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often useful. 

MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, and other internal body structures. MRI has been used for more than 30 years in veterinary medicine to diagnose or assess brain tumors, slipped discs, spinal cancer, inner ear infections, liver shunts, ACL tears, lameness, and various joint injuries. 

At Sage Veterinary Imaging (SVI), our 3T MRI offers twice the accuracy in half the time, revealing a clearer, more concise picture of your dog’s joints and internal organs.

What To Expect at Your MRI Appointment

An MRI – whether for a human or a sporting dog – is an easy, painless procedure. Our staff is here to help you at every step.

For 12 hours before your pet’s appointment, your dog should only have water – no food.  This allows the SVI team to get the clearest image possible. 

When you arrive at the appointment, our skilled technicians will ensure your pet is ready for the procedure. When cleared, your dog will undergo anesthesia. This is required 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 MRI machine, the technicians will begin the procedure. This will only take a few minutes, and your dog will be supervised the entire time.  After the MRI is complete, images are available quickly and sent to your veterinarian. 

Possible Treatment Plans 

At Sage Veterinary Imaging, our panel of experts works with your vet to discuss the best treatment plan available for your pet. This might include medication, therapy, surgery or alternative treatment options. If we find that your working dog suffers from canine joint osteoarthritis, we may recommend treatment with Synovetin OA. We help you make important decisions, developing a treatment plan that’s best for you, your dog, and your lifestyle. 

Where To Find MRI for Dogs In Texas or Utah

Sage Veterinary Imaging has offices in Round Rock, Texas and Sandy, Utah. 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 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 an MRI scan for dogs in Texas or Utah, go to our Contact Us page to learn more.