Radiology

Windcrest Animal Hospital has recently converted to digital x-rays to improve our diagnostic x-ray capabilities. Digital radiographs allow for quicker studies as there is no processing time needed. A digital x-ray will be taken of the area of injury or concern on your pet, and results will be available for review within minutes. They allow for better diagnosis of your pet as the x-ray can be manipulated just like a digital photograph. For instance, it allows magnification and emphasis of certain areas within the image which is not possible with standard x-rays. The digital radiographs can be burned onto CD’s or transmitted via e-mail for review by radiology specialists.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a non-invasive, non-painful way to diagnose and stage many diseases. It is an excellent modality for evaluating fluid filled and soft tissue organs such as the bladder, liver, spleen and kidneys but not for air filled tissues or bone. Fine needle aspirates and true-cut biopsies can be obtained with no or mild sedation (methods to obtain small samples of tissue.) Clipping of the fur in the area to be visualized may be necessary as ultrasound does not penetrate hair. The general ultrasound requires approximately an hour and generally no sedation. Images are interpreted during the scan and reports are available a few minutes after ultrasound. The doctor will discuss these findings with the owner. For referrals ultrasounds, reports will be discussed with the owner, a report will be faxed to the referral veterinarian, and the referral veterinarian will be called. Owners may wait approximately an hour for their pets, or drop off in the morning and pick up later in the day.