Many of us know someone who has had a CT (“CAT”) scan or an MRI at some time. Imaging developments, like breakthroughs in human medicine, have greatly boosted our capacity to rapidly and safely determine the etiology of a range of ailments in companion animals.
Many veterinary clinics now offer digital X-rays and ultrasound, and a growing number of specialized and emergency veterinary hospitals have computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in-house (MRI). If your pet requires a veterinary mri, your primary care veterinarian will likely send you to a nearby veterinary neurologist or radiologist for examination and, if necessary, further imaging.
Why is my pet needing an MRI?
In neurology, clinical symptoms shown by a pet are determined by the location of the illness rather than the disease process. In other words, since a brain tumor, stroke, or infection in the same brain region create clinical indications that are extremely similar, we cannot diagnose the origin of your pet’s disease based just on the exam. As a consequence, sophisticated imaging is usually necessary.
With MRI at our disposal, we can increasingly deliver a more precise diagnosis of your pet’s ailment in a more timely and safe manner, enabling us to more correctly treat and provide a better quality of life for your furry loved ones.
What exactly is an MRI?
The transparency of the body’s tissues is astonishing using MRI. MRI is the most often suggested imaging method by veterinary neurologists and vet oncology ventura for evaluating the neurological and musculoskeletal systems. MRI, as opposed to CT, is substantially better at imaging soft tissues such as the brain, spinal cord, intervertebral discs, tendons and ligaments, and muscles.
MRI may identify tiny abnormalities as small as 1-2 mm that CT and other imaging modalities would miss. We can also collect pictures from all three body planes, left-to-right, front-to-back, and top-to-bottom, using MRI without moving the patient. This allows us to see the body in three dimensions.
How much time does it take?
After being securely sedated, the operation normally takes 1 to 2 hours to complete, depending on the area being scanned. A veterinary technician will be actively monitoring your pet throughout this period.
Because your pet will be sedated for the operation, we must concentrate our scan on the area of interest for patient safety, which is why a “whole body” MRI is not often conducted in veterinary medicine. After the pictures are collected, they are examined by a neurologist or radiologist, who generally provides the customer with findings the same day. Read through this link to learn more.
To End
Dogs may present with various health issues due to the huge variances in canine anatomy across breeds. Referrals for veterinary MRI services are sometimes the greatest choice for diagnosing and treating a dog to establish the best course of action.
Without an accurate diagnosis from their veterinarian, dog owners cannot make educated choices about their pet’s treatment. Although MRIs may be costly, they are usually covered by insurance and can be useful in determining the source of a dog’s health issues.