Picture Picture: Pet Digital Imaging

While providing a thorough physical examination and obtaining your pet’s history can help us to get to the bottom of many issues, sometimes more advanced diagnostic testing is required.  A picture is worth a thousand words, and radiography (X-rays) and ultrasound can give us a lot of valuable information.

At Androscoggin Animal Hospital, we offer digital imaging for pets so that we can diagnose problems more efficiently to help your pet feel better, faster.

The Bones of Radiography

Radiographs, more commonly called X-rays, allow us to take a look at your pet’s internal organs. A radiograph is essentially a two-dimensional picture created by gamma rays on a film. It shows us different tissues in various grayscale.

Radiographs allow us to view the chest and/or abdominal cavity, as well as the bones of the body. They are extremely useful in assessing the general size and shape of the various organs and integrity of the bones, joints, and even teeth.

Scanning Over Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a valuable technology that allows us to use soundwaves to create a real-time image of the internal organs in a safe, non-invasive way. During an ultrasound we can see the internal structure of most organs and view them in action, allowing us to obtain a lot of valuable information.

During an ultrasound we can also perform a needle biopsy of structures in question. Because we can view the placement of our needle on the screen, we can be sure that we are obtaining the right cells for further examination.

Having an Edge with Digital Imagining for Pets

In this day and age, virtually everything is digital. Besides being modern, though, digital imaging for pets offers a few distinct advantages when it comes to treating our patients. Digital imaging is:

• Fast – no developing or other processing typically required
• Easy to obtain – optimal positions for acquiring information
• Portable – can be sent anywhere in the world, should you move elsewhere
• Accessible – we can easily obtain another opinion or a radiologist’s interpretation

Digital images also provide greater clarity than traditional images. They can be manipulated by zooming in or adjusting the contrast, making the information they hold more valuable than ever before.

Digital imaging for pets allows us to get all sorts of information about our patients quickly and noninvasively. This means that it allows us to diagnose more expeditiously and begin treatment right away.

To learn more about the advantages of digital imaging for pets, contact us.