Canine and Feline Radiology Services
Nuclear Scintigraphy
Nuclear scintigraphy is a painless, non-invasive imaging technique that is useful for evaluation of kidneys, brain, thyroid, gallbladder, and liver. Unlike an MRI scan, scintigraphy goes beyond physical anatomy; it is an imaging technique which can show the physiology, or function, of an organ. Evaluating the blood flow/perfusion to or through an organ helps diagnose many common diseases or illnesses before moving on to more serious treatment options. The imaging techniques are modeled from human medicine, so your pet receives the same scan you would receive at a human hospital or imaging center.
Nuclear medicine is an effective option to have available for your pet. Radiopharmaceuticals, also called radiotracers or radioisotopes, emit gamma radiation, which is captured by a gamma camera and creates an image to visualize organs like the heart, thyroid, gallbladder, and liver. Depending on the type of scan your pet is having, the tracer will be administered by intravenous injection immediately or a few hours prior to the beginning of the scan. Each tracer then targets a specific organ or organ system. The gamma camera works with computers to acquire data that is essential for a proper diagnosis. The amount of radioactive tracer your pet receives is small and your pet’s body will eliminate it within a few days via the urinary tract. There are no contrast agents required for these types of tests.
Digital Radiography
Digital radiography is state-of-the-art x-ray technology that uses a digital-detection system and provides quick and clear radiographic image. Unlike traditional radiography which requires film, digital radiography uses sensors directed at the x-rays and allows our staff to manipulate the obtained image(s). This allows our doctors to view the image in ways that were not possible on traditional film. Our radiographs can be viewed and evaluated by our doctors quickly. The images can be viewed on the internet and have the ability to be sent to other board-certified radiologists allowing rapid image interpretation. Because digital radiography is much more sensitive than conventional radiology, a lower radiation dosage is possible. VREC is proud to offer a true digital radiography (DR) system, not computed (CR), which many others refer to as digital.