Radiographs (X-rays) allow us to evaluate your pet’s systems visually.
Veterinary diseases of the musculoskeletal system that can be diagnosed via x-ray include bone fractures, arthritis, joint inflammation, joint instability, bony infections and cancer. Radiographs of the chest cavity can diagnose diseases of the trachea, lungs and heart. Conditions which cause radiographic changes include collapsing trachea, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, cancer, heart enlargement, heart failure, torn diaphragm, and others.
Radiographs of the abdomen allow evaluation of the shape and size of your pet’s vital organs including the liver, kidneys, spleen, lymph nodes, urinary bladder, and pancreas. While a radiograph may not tell us the underlying cause of visual changes, it allows us to confirm the presence of disease in a given organ. Radiographs can also identify intestinal issues such as stomach or intestinal foreign body, bloat (GDV) and obstruction.
If a more in-depth, 3-D evaluation of an organ is needed, we use ultrasound to see inside the organ.
Ultrasound is non-painful, but does require your pet to remain relatively still for a period of time. Sometimes a light sedative can be given to relax the pet and allow for optimal imaging. Ultrasound is used to evaluate changes to the heart muscles and valves, structural changes in organs, presence of irregular tissue, stones in the gall bladder and urinary bladder, presence of abnormal air or fluid in a body cavity, enlargement of internal lymph nodes, and other abnormalities. With the use of ultrasound as a guide, samples of abnormal tissues or fluids in the body cavities can be obtained for microscopic evaluation. This is a crucial step in diagnosing the underlying cause of many diseases. We also frequently use ultrasound guidance to obtain sterile urine samples directly from the urinary bladder (cystocentesis).
If you are interested in viewing your pet’s radiographs or ultrasound images, we are always happy to review these with you. Many owners find it quite interesting to see “inside” their pet!
Our Bozeman Facility:
At our thoughtfully designed Bozeman veterinary hospital, we have gone to great lengths to create a comfortable and inviting environment. Large windows, abundant natural light, and a homey feel help your pet feel relaxed and secure, while receiving the care they need.
Our Bozeman Mobile Vet Clinic
We are happy to work with anxious pets and their owners to minimize the stress of a visit to the veterinarian. An excellent option for these pets is our mobile vet clinic! For more information on Bozeman’s mobile veterinarian, Dr. Amy Krier, visit our mobile services page!