Radiology (x-rays) is routinely used to provide valuable information about a pet’s bones, gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, colon), respiratory tract (lungs), heart, and genitourinary system (bladder, prostate). It can be used alone or in conjunction with other diagnostic tools to provide a list of possible causes for a pet’s condition, identify the exact cause of a problem or rule out possible problems. There are many special radiographic procedures that veterinarians have to provide, such as giving a barium swallow to ensure the gastrointestinal tract is not blocked, or a contrast study of the bladder, where the bladder is inflated with air via a catheter so the lining may be evaluated. Often we require your pet to stay with us for half a day in order to ensure we obtain the views necessary to make a correct diagnosis. You will be advised if we must give your pet a sedative or general anaesthesia to ensure quality radiographs. Interpretation of radiographs requires great skill on the part of the veterinarian and if necessary we will consult with a veterinary radiologist.
