X-rays and ultrasounds allow us to explore your pet’s body through digital images. Both procedures are non-invasive and are safe for your pet. Our team is fully trained to minimize the risks of both procedures, ensuring your pet has a positive experience with our digital imaging technology.
Will my pet need to be put under anesthesia?
Pets must be completely still when taking their X-ray to ensure we get a clear image. This means we may need to sedate your pet if they’re particularly squirmy or have difficulty staying in one position. If complete muscle relaxation is necessary or your pet seems highly stressed/uncomfortable, we’ll administer a short-acting general anesthetic. Typically, the effects of the medication will wear off shortly after we finish. If you have concerns about your pet being sedated or put under anesthesia, please contact us at 613-258-5745.
Why does my pet need an X-ray?
X-rays provide valuable diagnostic information to assess your pet’s overall health. Sometimes we recommend them as a preventative measure to determine your pet’s current condition, whereas in other cases, they’re necessary to help us treat a specific medical issue. For example, if one of our veterinarians feels a lump in your pet’s abdomen after a physical exam, an X-ray can help us determine which organ it’s in.
When do you recommend ultrasounds?
An ultrasound is typically used when we need to examine body tissues with the help of soundwaves that produce real-time images. This includes exploring your pet’s internal organs, tumours, bladder stones, cysts, foreign objects and evaluating pregnancies. If X-rays, blood tests and physical exams show a problem in your pet’s liver, spleen, intestine or pancreas, an ultrasound can shed light on the specific problem. If your pet has any of the following symptoms, an abdominal ultrasound could be used to pinpoint the issue:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty urinating
- Bloody urine
