How do CT scans work?

During a CT scan, an X-ray tube moves around your pet’s body and continuously sends a thin beam of X-rays through it, creating detailed images. There are two types of CT scans, non-contrast and contrast. A non-contrast scan uses the body’s natural tissue and bone densities to help identify things like fractures, tumors, or general injuries. A contrast scan uses a special dye to highlight organs, blood vessels, and the digestive system for more detailed imaging. After the scan, the images are reviewed by a veterinary radiologist, who interprets and sends a report to your veterinarian to help plan the best course of treatment.

 

What are the benefits of a CT scan?

CT has much better contrast resolution than standard radiographs, so structures such as individual parts of the brain or individual muscle are separate and distinct on the scan. The actual scan is very fast and happens within seconds.

 

Why does my pet need a CT scan?

A CT scan can help diagnose cancers, spinal cord injuries, vascular problems, bone irregularities, liver shunts, dental tumours and tooth decay, splenic or liver masses and much more. A CT scan is fast, accurate, and a non-invasive way to get a better picture of what is going on internally in your pet.

 

Is my pet awake for the scan and what does it entail?

Even with such speed our patients must still be anesthetized and immobilized to ensure accurate and quality images. Once your pet receives anesthesia, the veterinary technicians place your pet in the correct position and run the scan. The time it can take to do the scan depends on the part of the body being scanned and the size of the patient.