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Specialty Services / Imaging
Imaging Services
The Animal Emergency Center has state-of-the-art imaging capabilities to aid in the diagnosis of your pet.
- Radiographs (also known as x-rays)
- Fluoroscopy (radiographs in movie-like form)
- Ultrasound
- Echocardiography
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Spiral computer tomography (CT – available November 2005)
Radiographs
Radiographs of the affected body parts are typically taken as part of the initial diagnostic work-up. The same equipment that produces the radiograph is also used to create fluoroscopy images. Contrast media, such as barium, may be added to outline the structure of an organ. Repeated radiographs can tell the progress of the movement of the contrast material (examples: barium series for GI tract; urinary bladder cystogram).
Fluoroscopy
Fluorscopy is used to watch the movement of a structure within the body at “real time”. Examples include: tracheal movement during breathing; esophageal or gastric movement during and after swallowing; gastric emptying after eating; and diaphragm movement during respiration.
click here for an exciting
Imaging case study >
is demonstrating a finding on abdominal ultrasound.Ultrasonography
Ultrasonography is used to examine the soft tissue internal structures of the abdomen and chest. It can be performed cage side when necessary for the diagnosis of a critical animal. Many times ultrasound will reveal fluid, masses, enlarged organs, and other abnormalities that are not evident on plain radiographs. Ultrasound is often used to guide aspiration of fluid for analysis and for taking biopsies of organs such as the liver, spleen or kidney.
Echocardiogram
The same machine is used to do echocardiography. The echocardiogram will provide a 3-dimensional image of the heart as it is moving. Measuements that are taken allow an assessment of the size and shape of the internal heart structures, as well as the ability of the heart to contract. This crucial information is used to diagnose heart disease and directs the selection of medications to treat the heart problem.Echocardiography done in the ICU
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (VetMR)
The Animal Emergency Center has the only MRI (VetMR) for animals in the southeast Wisconsin area. Magnentic reasonance imaging (MRI) is done when other standard methods of imaging such as radiographs and ultrasound are not adequate to demonstrate the problem. The VetMR is an open MRI unit that has been adapted for use in animals. It is ideal for imaging hard to reach soft tissue structures such as the brain, spinal cord, and joints. It is an ideal aid for the diagnosis of neurologic problems in your pet. It can also be used for diagnosing ear and nasal problems. General anesthesia is required.
Click here to download the VetMR brochure for detailed information on what the VetMR can do and what to expect from the procedure.
Click here to read about a case where the VetMR was helpful in demonstrating the location of pathology for a neurologic problem.
Spiral Computed tomography (CT)
Computed tomography (CT) is available at AEC. The spiral CT unit will allow imaging of a body part in approximately 5 minutes. It is ideal for evaluating the lungs for metastasis, the brain for hemorrhage, nasal passages, and abdominal organs that cannot be imaged by other techniques. Often, contrast media is administered to identify organs and blood supply.
