Our hospital routinely employs state-of-the-art noninvasive tools such as radiology and ultrasound to help diagnose many pet illnesses and injuries. The specialists we work with, called radiologists, correlate medical image findings with other examinations and tests to assist the diagnosis of many diseases. We are committed to providing optimal care to our patients using veterinary diagnostic imaging. The radiologist at our hospital has completed a residency program and is board-certified.
VCA California Veterinary Specialists provides our radiologist with tools that allow us to acquire high quality digital radiographic images, (including specific orthopedic radiographs for surgical planning, and contrast urinary and gastrointestinal imaging), and perform thoracic and abdominal ultrasounds, and computed tomography (CT).
The information provided by our radiologists is often integral for ideal patient management. At CVS, we pride ourselves on providing truly compassionate care, and imaging is no different. We keep our ultrasound rooms dark and quiet and provide gentle calm handling during the ultrasound exams to minimize patient anxiety.
A board-certified specialist in veterinary radiology is a licensed veterinarian who has obtained intensive additional training in all aspects of radiology, such as radiographs (x-rays), ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine. Specialists in veterinary radiology typically work in support of general practitioner veterinarians and other specialists. The signs of disease on a veterinary x-ray or ultrasound are often very subtle. It can take significant expertise to read these subtle signs. However, they are less likely to be missed or misinterpreted if an expert in veterinary radiology is consulted.
Some general practices have board-certified veterinary radiologists on staff within their own hospitals. In other cases, general practitioners will consult with or refer patients to veterinary radiologists at referral practices. While many general practitioners routinely take radiographs or offer ultrasonography in their own practices, board-certified radiologists are frequently needed for additional consultation. Thanks to the magic of telemedicine, veterinary radiologists can also review images and offer consultation remotely to any practice via the internet. When a pet needs a CT scan, an MRI, or radiation treatment, these types of sophisticated medical services typically can be obtained at veterinary imaging referral centers or university sites staffed by boarded specialists. Due to the expense of the equipment and the specialized training required, these types of services are generally available only at such referral facilities. While your general practitioner veterinarian can handle many aspects of your pet's care, just as in human medicine, there is sometimes a need for the attention of a specialist to either take over the pet's treatment or work in tandem with the doctor as veterinary radiologists typically do. You can be assured that a veterinarian who knows when to refer you and your pet for more specialized diagnostic work or treatment is one that is caring and committed to ensuring that your pet receives the highest standard of medical care for his or her problem.