Animal Pet Scan Instruments

Several methods are available for viewing your pet's insides, just as several different reasons exist for doing this. Remember that not all veterinary offices have access to all of the types of imaging available and they may refer you to a larger university or a specialist in some cases.

  1. MRI

    • MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is most often used when pets have skeletal issues that need an in-depth detailed view as an aid to diagnosis. The instruments used during an MRI for your pet may vary slightly but most veterinarians and technicians keep track of a pet's heart rate with a monitor attached to the leg, or the tongue if the pet is rendered unconscious. Sometimes pets may be required to remain very still, so anesthesia is used to keep the pet asleep until after the scan is over. Pet owners are usually required to sign an anesthesia permission slip before an MRI, even if it is not used during the procedure. Depending on the size of the pet, the animal may be strapped to the table, which is then inserted into the MRI scanning machine. Larger pets, such as horses, will be walked through a larger version of the machine.

    X-ray

    • An X-ray is a form of pet scanning that has been used for several years. An X-ray serves usually as a cheaper alternative to a CT scan or MRI when a veterinarian is looking for a preliminary diagnosis. In addition to the X-ray machine and the protective aprons that the pet and technicians will need to use, several instruments may be included in a typical X-ray procedure. Extremely nervous, badly injured or upset animals may need to be tranquilized to keep them still during the process, but animals are not usually put under anesthesia unless the X-rays are being taken for an organization that requires that they be. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) requires animals to be anesthetized to obtain the clearest possible X-ray.

    Ultrasound

    • Ultrasound is a quick procedure used by veterinarians to look at the internal organs of a pet. It is most often used to look for blockages along the intestinal track and to check for pregnancy in pets. The ultrasound machine is required and, for long-haired pets, it may be necessary to shave the part of the body where the ultrasound is to be performed. Restraints are the only other instrument that may be required for an ultrasound if the animal becomes frightened.