Radiology and Ultrasound
Radiology: A Complete Picture (Literally) of Your Pet’s Health Including the…
- Musculoskeletal system
- Cardiovascular system
- Respiratory system
- Gastrointestinal system
- Reproductive system
- Urinary system
To ensure an accurate diagnosis, quality and timely X-rays are imperative steps. Therefore, our radiographs are done on-site and results are available immediately.
Ultrasonography: A Dynamic Picture
Ultrasound allows us to obtain a three-dimensional image of your pet’s organs.
More importantly, this non-invasive, state-of-the-art technology uses sound waves to painlessly examine specific internal organs including the heart, liver, spleen, kidney, stomach, intestines, pancreas, adrenal glands, and bladder.
When diseases of the liver or kidney arise, the ultrasound gives us more detailed information on the extent of the suspected lesion and possible treatments.
We can also use the ultrasound to help guide biopsy needles into the exact suspicious area of the organ.
This practice allows for a more accurate, thorough diagnosis.
We recommend an ultrasound on all of our cardiac patients, especially cats.
Older cats are prone to HCM-Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. This disease leads to heart muscle hypertrophy or enlargement thereby decreasing the volume of blood available to the heart.
Unfortunately, radiographs will not diagnose HCM; they can only be diagnosed via ultrasound.
While HCM proves fatal without specific and appropriate medical management, many cats can be managed successfully.
Ultrasound is also helpful with pregnancy exams, tendon evaluation, fluid collection, and biopsies.
Echocardiography, CT, MRI
We can also provide specialty Veterinary Radiography, Ultrasonography, and Echocardiography, via Dr. Erica D. Baravick-Munsell, DVM, DACVR.
Dr. Munsell is trained in veterinary radiography, ultrasonography, echocardiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear medicine. Additionally, she works with both small and large animals as well as exotic species. Dr. Munsell’s services are mobile and she services many veterinary clinics throughout Nashville and surrounding areas.
Questions About X-rays and Ultrasonography
1. Do the procedures require anesthesia?
Regarding x-rays, it depends on the views chosen. For the arm, many times we can do these x-rays without sedation. For the pelvis though, sedation is best because we must position your dog or cat on his back and stretch the legs. Most animals will not stay still to acquire a good image.
2. How safe is radiology and ultrasonography?
Very safe!
3. How do you determine if my pet needs x-rays, ultrasound or both?
Sometimes, x-rays only are warranted in the case of a fracture. However with internal organs such as the pancreas, many times ultrasound is the best choice. We make every effort to use our experience to run only the tests needed to procure a diagnosis. We ALWAYS choose tests based on the most efficient, cost effective means of procuring a diagnosis.
