CT Scans

CT Scans, or computed tomography scans, take a fast series of x-rays which are put together to create 3-D, cross sectional images of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels. These images represent a “slice” of the scanned area. Your veterinary team will use the images along with expertise to diagnose problems such as but not limited to - cancer, abnormalities of blood vessels, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders. 

CT scans are ideal for examining various parts of a pet's body:

• Cranial structures - CT scans are invaluable for examining pet skulls. They allow your veterinary team the ability to see in the structures of the head to help diagnose chronic upper respiratory infections, ear infections or identify lesions or polyps.

• Thoracic/Abdominal views - These types of scans help when evaluating masses or abnormalities within the chest and/or abdomen. This allows your veterinary team to be well-prepared before undertaking complex surgeries.

• Bones - Pets with joint or bone disorders benefit from these types of scans because CT images provide clear images of bone structures. This helps to aid diagnosing certain conditions and also planning orthopedic surgeries or treatments. 

• Emergency cases - In cases of accidents or trauma, CT scans can be used to rapidly assess internal injuries. Since general anesthesia is required, these cases are very situational. It is important to gather valuable information on your pet for treatment, but your pet needs to be stable enough to ensure this is a safe process. 

Although the process of using the CT machine to take the images is not extensive, your veterinary team has to use general anesthesia to ensure your pet remains still while in the machine. During the scan, pets are briefly exposed to ionizing radiation, but this does not remain in the body after the imaging is completed. Due to the size and cost of the machine, not all veterinary clinics and hospitals offer this method of advanced imaging. These machines can be found in some larger emergency & specialty facilities or in clinics tied to veterinary teaching institutions.