If your dog is sick, has been injured, has swallowed something it shouldn't have, or is pregnant, chances are they will need radiography (X-rays). Our Santa Rosa vets explain more about the procedure.
What Can Dog X-rays Help Vets Diagnose?
X-rays are one of the most helpful, and frequently used tools in both human healthcare and veterinary healthcare. X-rays can help vets to get a view of your pet's bones, tissues, and internal organs so that they can diagnose issues such as broken bones, bladder stones, swallowing foreign objects, and more.
X-ray images can help vets to spot some tumors, pregnancy, and enlarged organs which may lead to a diagnosis such as heart disease or cancer.
A detailed view of organs, tissues, and ligaments cannot be obtained using X-ray technology. In these cases, other diagnostic imaging such as MRI and Ultrasound is more beneficial.
An X-ray of a pregnant dog can also help you to prepare for the birth of puppies by allowing you to know how many puppies your dog is expecting, and whether a c-section may be required for any reason.
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How Can I Prepare For My Dog's X-ray Appointment?
More often than not, an X-ray is done when a pet is brought into the vet with health concerns. Thankfully for this, there is no preparation that is required before your appointment. Your vet will check over your dog, then, if they determine that an X-ray is needed, they will take the time to discuss it in detail with you.
will My Dog Be Sedated When They Have Their X-ray?
Sedation can sometimes be required so that clear X-rays can be obtained on the first try. If your dog is calm, not in too much pain, and able to lay in a comfortable position while the X-ray is being taken, sedation will not be necessary.
On the other hand, if your dog is squirmy, edgy, or in pain sedation will be recommended. Other reasons why sedation may be used during your pup's X-ray include if the dog's muscles need to be relaxed in order to get a clear image, or when the X-ray is of the skull, teeth or spine.
Are X-rays Safe For Dogs?
While the use of X-rays is generally considered safe for dogs, radiation is involved and so X-rays are typically used only occasionally and generally as a diagnostic tool. In some cases vets will use X-ray technology to glean information about a dog's pregnancy however other forms of imaging such as ultrasound could be used in that case.
If you worry about the health of your dog during an X-ray, bring up your concerns with your vet. They will be able to discuss the possibility of any risks and compare them to the benefits based on your dog's unique needs.
How Much Will My Dog's X-rays Cost?
There are far too many factors that play a part in determining the exact cost of X-rays in dogs. These include the size of your pet, the area being X-rayed, whether sedation was used, the type of clinic, where your veterinary clinic is located, and more. If you are concerned about the cost of your pup's X-rays, ask your vet for an estimate before agreeing to the procedure.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.