Digital Radiography
Diagnostic tools such as radiography are vital to veterinary clinics for the simple reason that our pets can’t talk to us and tell us what is wrong when they have a problem. Sometimes, an external exam does not provide all the information a veterinarian needs to determine the overall health of your pet.
An important diagnostic tool that we use here at Clarke County Animal Hospital is digital radiography. This in-house radiography capability enables us to safely and quickly assess the status of injuries or disease that may be affecting your pet. It can be extremely beneficial in helping our veterinarian diagnose fractures, locate objects your pet may have swallowed, discover masses such as tumors, measure organ size for disease, diagnose pneumonia, discover pregnancies, bladder stones, chronic arthritis, and certain spinal cord diseases.
Digital radiography is painless, safe, completely non-invasive, and it uses only very low doses of radiation. Because the level of radiation exposure is so low, even pregnant females and very young puppies and kittens can undergo radiography.
Digital radiography uses x-ray sensors instead of traditional photographic film, providing our veterinarian with images much faster and with greater clarity than traditional film x-rays. These digital images can be manipulated, enhanced and contrasted, as well as viewed from different angles. This manipulation capability aids in diagnostic procedures since it allows our veterinarian to see exactly what he needs to see. It also lessens the need for retakes, and cuts down on the time between diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, these digital images can easily be transferred and shared instantly for consultations with specialists if required.