Medical Imaging

Medical imaging helps us to look at what’s going on inside your pet without actually opening them up. Using medical imaging such as X-rays (also known as radiographs) and ultrasound, and CT (also known as Computed Tomography) we can examine bones and soft tissue to diagnose conditions from fractures (broken bones) and bone cancer to pneumonia and pregnancy.

Digital X-Rays

Adelaide Plains Veterinary Surgery state of the art digital X-ray machine allows us to process and examine X-ray images of your pet quickly, aiding in diagnosis and treatment of many conditions, including in some dental examinations. Depending on what area needs to be X-rayed, your pet may require sedation.

Computed Tomography

As veterinarians we are always seeking ways to provide the best care possible for our patients and although digital systems have simplified radiography as a means of diagnosis, there are still limitations in what can be imaged.

A CT scan, also known as computed tomography scan, makes use of computer-processed combinations of many measurements taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional (tomographic) images (virtual “slices”) of specific areas of the patient, allowing the Veterinarian to see far more to assist in diagnosis of many injuries, illnesses and disease.

All imaging is performed under general anaesthetic by a qualified radiographer, with patient monitoring performed by our veterinary team. We are also able to offer referral to a radiologist for specialist interpretation of the produced images if required to assist in diagnosis.

We are pleased to be able to offer Computed Tomography imaging as part of an in house imaging diagnostic tool. We are one of very few veterinary businesses within South Australia that are able to offer this Gold Standard of care in –house with out the need for referral.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound scanning uses high frequency sound waves (that humans can’t hear) to generate images of internal structures. When the sound waves are pointed at the body, some of the waves are absorbed and some bounce back – the ones that bounce back are measured by the machine and transformed into an image for us to examine. Your pet’s fur may obstruct the ultrasound scan – so don’t be surprised if your pet comes home with a shaved patch!

Pregnancy Ultrasound

We are able to offer ultrasound for pregnancy diagnosis. We recommend ultrasounds be performed no earlier than 28 days following mating. Our experienced Veterinary team will scan your bitch to confirm pregnancy and if able will also endeavor to give an estimate of the number of young seen on scan, although we cannot give a guarantee of exact numbers. This is able to be done during consultation, without the need for a day stay.

Endoscope

Endoscopy is performed by placing a tube with a flexible tip and camera on the end down your pets throat whilst under anesthetic to view areas such as the esophagus, stomach and upper intestines. It allows our veterinary surgeons to visually exam areas without the need for invasive surgery.