X-Ray
Radiographs (or X-rays as they are also known) provide vets with one way to look at what is happening on the inside of your pet. The two main types of tissues we look at using radiographs are bones and soft tissue structures.
Conditions affecting the bones that may be diagnosed using radiographs include fractures, osteoarthritis, spinal problems, dislocations and bone cancer to name a few. It can also be used to monitor healing fractures, to ensure orthopaedic surgeries have been successful or to monitor bone growth in young animals.
Conditions affecting soft tissue structures that can be monitored by X-ray include heart enlargement, chest or lung conditions such as pneumonia or asthma, cancer, stomach or intestinal foreign bodies, kidney disease, bladder stones & constipation.
Radiographs are also used alongside dentistry to assess what is happening to the roots of teeth underneath the gum line. This helps us to assess which teeth are diseased and therefore need treatment or extraction.
Radiographs are quite safe for your pet and are normally be conducted with a light sedative to stop your pet from becoming over anxious, and keep them calm and happy. Some X-rays that require animals to lay in uncomfortable positions such as hip X-rays or after a fracture generally require a general anaesthetic. Click here for more information on anaesthetics.
What happens to my pet when it is booked in for radiographs?
Most of our patients are admitted into hospital for the day to have routine radiographs taken, unless it is an emergency where they will be attended to as soon as possible. We ask that you bring your pet in fasted on the morning of admission as they will most likely be sedated or anaesthetised to allow us to take the best quality radiographs possible. Please click here for more information on pre surgical care.
Mildura Veterinary Hospital is equipped with high quality radiograph equipment including X-ray machines, automatic processors & X-ray view equipment. Once the radiographs have been processed your veterinarian will show you the images and to discuss the diagnosis and treatment plan for your pet generally in the discharge appointment. If the X-rays are difficult to read or you are having difficulty understanding the black & white images your veterinarian will be able to explain it & answer any questions you might have.