A New Way of Detecting Diseases

Something new and exciting has come to PCVC! No, it’s not another pink stethoscope or a cage for Buckwheat. We now have a state-of-the-art CT scanner at our facility.

What is a CT scanner?

CT stands for Computed Tomography, which is also known as a CAT scan. It uses a computer to generate images that are much more sophisticated than an X-ray machine. CT scanners can project 3-D images, whereas X-ray machines only produce two dimensional images. We use CT scanners to get a closer look at issues that may not appear on an X-ray. Tumors, for example, show up much more distinctly on a CT scanner than on radiographs.   It simply allows visualization of parts of the body which previously could not be seen.

X-ray of a tortoise

CT of a tortoise. Notice the image's complexity

compared to the X-ray above. 

Full body images of an animal take only a few minutes on a CT scanner, thanks to a mobile table. All a technician needs to do is securely place the animal on the table and then run it through the scanner. To get a radiograph of a full body, it may require the technician changing positions of the animal several times.

Radiographs are still a necessary tool. Our doctors will often order X-rays if there is a possibility of a bone fracture or an obstruction in the intestines. But, if there is a need to evaluate parts of the body invisible on X-rays, the CT scan allows us to see pathology with significantly more detail.

The CT scanner helps us determine stages of cancer; or detect brain, joint, bone, lung, vascular, spinal diseases, and much more.

Basically CT scanners are used if an animal is sick and the radiographs don’t show us what is going on. In the past, when our doctors are suspecting a disease such as cancer in an animal, we would have to make special arrangements to use a human scanner.  It took a lot of time and effort to do . Now, we can do that right in the heart of our clinic and at a fraction of the time and cost.

We are very excited about our new piece of technology. It will change how we detect complicated diseases. Feel free to ask any of our staff questions you may have about the CT scanner.  

More Photos of X-rays and CTs

X-rays of snake

CT skull of dog

CT of snake