Our hospital offers an advanced diagnostic imaging tool called CT (computed tomography) scanning. Pets who may require a CT scan include those with orthopedic disorders, trauma, nasal disease, gastrointestinal diseases, and cancer among others. Pets must be heavily sedated to fully anesthetized during imaging. Your pet will be placed on a special table that is slowly advanced into the part of the machine that performs the scan. An x-ray tube rotates 360 degrees around your pet to record the x-rays in thin slices. When the computer finishes internally processing all the x-rays, it creates an image on a monitor. CT scans provide more detailed information than traditional x-rays (radiographs). A contrast media visible on the CT is often injected into your pet's bloodstream to further outline any abnormalities as well as to define vascular structures. Two and three-dimensional computed reconstructions help our experienced specialists understand the extent of the condition if it is present and therefore they are better able to make additional diagnostic and treatment recommendations. CT can also be used to guide a biopsy or a needle aspirate of an abnormality within the body less invasively than with surgery.
Every patient that presents for a CT scan will receive a thorough physical exam, and will have a review of recent bloodwork and other testing done prior to anesthesia to ensure they are good candidates for anesthesia. Every patient anesthetized at our hospital is closely monitored while under anesthesia by a veterinarian and a trained veterinary assistant and/or a certified veterinary technician.