Computed Tomography – CT Scan

(ONLY DONE AT THE MARION LOCATION)

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Vet Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

Heartland Animal Hospital is dedicated to providing the latest equipment in veterinary medicine to care for your pet. Digital imaging is a valuable diagnostic tool and we are excited to offer cutting edge Computed Tomography (CT) scanning.

Computed tomographic imaging, also known as “CT” or “cat scan”, works by producing multiple individual images or “slices” throughout a region of interest in the body using radiation (x-rays) and a computer. A common comparison to an image produced by a CT scanner is individual slices of bread that make up a complete loaf. The CT machine produces two-dimensional slices of a section of your pet’s anatomy and then reconfigures them into a complete image we can view. These slices can also be used to create three-dimensional reconstructions that can be very useful for things like surgical planning. Once the images are produced, they are sent to the radiologist to review and interpret.

What is a ct scan used for in pets and how is it beneficial?

The high-resolution images produced by the CT machine help us to evaluate your pet’s anatomy in great detail, details that we would otherwise not be able to see with just standard x-rays. CT scanners provide excellent detail of bony and soft tissue structures in the body.

The CT Scan Includes

  • High-tech scan occurs rapidly to reduce radiation exposure and anesthesia time
  • File is automatically sent to a veterinary radiologist for interpretation
  • CT scans offer valuable diagnostics to help create the optimal plan of treatment
  • Radiographic Assessment – The radiology consultation findings will be discussed with the owner by their primary veterinarian

Veterinary CT Scan Uses

An accurate diagnosis of your pet’s underlying health issue leads to successful treatment options. CT Scans are useful in the diagnosis of a wide variety of problems that occur and they are ideal to view the internal structures of your pet such as:

  • Nasal cavity
  • Inner ear
  • Bones/Joints
  • Spine
  • Chest/Lungs
  • Lymph nodes
  • Thyroid gland
  • Abdominal organs
  • Brain/Skull
  • Vascular structures

A CT scan can also be combined with a contrast agent that is given to your pet intravenously (IV), which allows us to see increased areas of blood flow in the body. This aids us in the detection of cancer and areas of inflammation.

Cutting Edge CT Scan

We are excited to bring state-of-the-art technology in advanced imaging to Heartland Animal Hospital.


Feline Abdominal Cavity

Feline Thoracic Cavity

Feline Skull