Veterinary Viewpoint: Mobile CT Scans available locally
Physical exams tell us a lot about an animal’s condition, but using the correct diagnostic tools can reveal more.
Standard blood tests (CBC/complete blood counts) show whether the results are in the normal range and if not, where to start looking for intervention and treatment procedures and plans.
Other diagnostic tests can help pinpoint problems not visible through a physical exam, blood tests, biopsies or urine/fecal testing.
Radiology (X-rays) use radiation to produce energy that penetrates the body to show underlying structures such as bones and soft tissues (organs). Radiology is considered a standard test for most clinics.
X-rays allow for quick imaging and can help with the diagnosis of many conditions such as fractures, heart failure, bladder stones, and some types of cancer. However, radiology may not reveal brain tumors, prolapsed spinal disks and more complex problems.
Ultrasounds can look inside the body via the use of sound waves. They are useful for diagnosing conditions that could be missed or are not easily defined by the use of X-rays. The possibilities include bladder stones, tumors of the abdominal organs, and abdominal fluid deposits as found in the case of a bleeding tumor.
Echocardiography is an ultrasound examination of the heart that can find heart-based tumors and evidence of suspected heart disease, whereas, radiology can show heart and blood vessel enlargement, echocardiography shows the heart and valves in motion. However, it may not reveal every condition such as pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs).
Many veterinary clinics also utilize ultrasounds as standard procedures, but if a case is more complex, animals usually have to be referred to a larger veterinary facility for imaging such as a CAT Scan or MRI.
A CT scan combines X-rays taken from different positions to create a more detailed image. This can is very useful for detecting small tumors, complex orthopedic issues, and internal bleeding.
If the CT scan does not deliver enough information, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) might be used to diagnose knee, nerve, brain and spinal cord injuries especially if tumors or bleeding are suspected.
Bronson Veterinary Services can now offer appointments with a traveling portable CT Scan service available to our clients on an at-need basis. This service is only for small animals, but is a cost-saving tool as the client pays the service directly and saves a trip to a larger facility. The imaging provides us with the results so that a treatment plan can be devised.
A CT scan can give further information on areas of concern that are beyond our resources. Head images can reveal the cause of chronic nasal discharge from the presence of polyps, neoplasia, fungus or a foreign body. It can also help pinpoint chronic otitis from masses or otitis media. In cases of facial trauma, it can determine the extent of injury. Ocular disease, oral masses and the extent of dental disease can be seen.
In the thoracic area, imaging can provide information on metastatic conditions, pleural effusions, pneumothorax and pulmonary bullae, mediastinal/heart base masses and lung lobe torsions.
CT scans can provide images of the entire head including the brain, the neck and head and information on thyroid conditions. When viewing the abdominal region, a scan can determine the presence of a mass and indicate whether it might be operable. Images of the body wall can pinpoint vaccine sarcomas/invasive lipomas and help with surgical planning. A scan of the bones can reveal cancer versus osteomyelitis versus cysts versus proliferative diseases.
With fractures that are located in the skull, facial area, ribs, and pelvic areas and for viewing dense tissue such as found in the liver and spleen, a CT image is superior.
A CT scan is excellent in imaging different body conformations and the presence of obstructive gas that can be missed on an ultrasound.
Pancreatitis, adrenal disease and multiple obstructions are also clearer with a scan.
The MVCT (mobile veterinary computed tomography) scan mobile CT unit travels throughout Michigan and provides service to veterinary clinics, hospitals and zoos and includes all exotic animals.
Referring veterinarians have immediate access to the images and MVCT also transmits images to a board-certified veterinary radiologist for further interpretation with results typically available the next day.
MVCT utilizes a state-of-the-art portable, eight-slice CT scanner manufactured in Danvers, MA and is the same scanner used in stroke ambulances and hospital ICUs.
Appointments normally take 1-2 weeks to schedule through our clinic for this convenient diagnostic procedure.
— Dr. Joanna Bronson of Bronson Veterinary Services, located at 452 W. Central Road, Coldwater. Contact her at 517-369-2161 or visit bronsonvetservices.vetstreet.com.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Veterinary Viewpoint: Mobile CT Scans available locally
