Diagnostic Imaging

At White Oaks Veterinary Clinic we have both radiology (x-rays) and ultrasound to visualize the inside of your pet's body without opening it. This provides valuable information about a pet's bones, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, heart, and the genitourinary system (bladder, uterus, prostate). It can be used alone or in conjunction with other diagnostic tools to provide a list of possible causes for a pet's condition, or it can identify the exact cause of a problem or rule out many other problems.

X-rays

When a pet is being radiographed, an x-ray beam passes through the body and hits a piece of radiographic film. Images on the film appear as various shades of gray and reflect the anatomy of the animal. Bones, which absorb more x-rays, appear light gray or almost white. Soft tissues, such as the organs, absorb fewer x-rays and appear as darker gray structures. Air filled areas will appear as black on the film. Interpretation of radiographs requires great skill on the part of the veterinarian.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound (sonography) is a procedure that uses high frequency soundwaves to view and produce images of internal organs in the body. Abdominal ultrasound allows us to visualize the tissue density of many organs with detail that is not possible with x-rays. With ultrasound we can see the bladder, kidneys, gallbladder, abnormal fluid accumulations, pancreas, adrenal glands, uterus and stomach and intestines. As early as 21-25 days into pregnancy we can see beating fetal hearts. Furthermore, a small needle can be guided by ultrasound to take samples of a particular tissue or fluid.