Just like humans, animals can benefit from the newest medical imaging technologies for diagnosis of various conditions. WVRC provides the latest imaging techniques to help evaluate a number of conditions, including orthopedic conditions, heart and lung problems, cancers, and brain diseases.
Veterinary diagnostic imaging allows us to safely and non-invasively assess your pet’s health and help identify the cause of illness or injury. At WVRC, we offer advanced imaging services, including Ultrasound, CT, and MRI, through our specialty departments or as outpatient services for pets whose care is being managed by their regular veterinarian. By working in partnership with your veterinarian, we provide high-quality diagnostic imaging and timely results to help guide your pet’s treatment and care.
Outpatient Ultrasound:
What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses soundwaves to visualize internal structures in a non-invasive way. Its findings rarely stand on their own and must be interpreted in light of the entire clinical picture. For this reason, our imaging department collaborates with your primary care veterinarian to facilitate outpatient imaging, and a full ultrasound report is provided to your primary veterinarian for interpretation within the context of your pet’s clinical condition.
How does it work?
Your primary care veterinarian must complete a referral form and then we will contact you to schedule your pet’s outpatient ultrasound appointment with us.
A finalized ultrasound report, including key diagnostic images, will be sent directly to your primary veterinarian on the same day the ultrasound is performed. Your veterinarian will then review the findings in the context of your pet's overall health and discuss the results and recommended treatment plan with you.
If the results warrant a consultation with one of our specialty departments, please give us a call and we can facilitate consultation with one of our specialties as a next step.
Will my animal be sedated?
We want your pet to feel as safe and comfortable as possible while they are in our care. Because new environments, unfamiliar people, and medical procedures can sometimes cause stress, your veterinarian may recommend oral medications before your pet’s visit. These medications can help ease anxiety and support a calmer imaging experience, which can help our team obtain the best images possible.
Gabapentin and/or Trazodone are commonly used to help reduce stress and promote comfort during outpatient visits. If you believe your pet may benefit from these medications prior to their outpatient ultrasound at WVRC, please discuss this with your primary veterinarian.
IV sedation may still be needed to help your pet remain comfortable and still so we can obtain the highest-quality images possible. In most cases, we expect your pet to be ready to return home with you at the end of their approximately one-hour appointment.
How do I prepare for my ultrasound appointment?
Please withhold food from your pet for 12 hours before their appointment. (A small amount of water is okay until two hours prior to appointment.)
If your pet is taking prescribed medications, please call our office to confirm the medications are okay to give that day.
Important Reminders
Outpatient ultrasound is for stable patients who can wait for an appointment and whose care is still managed by their primary care veterinarian. Unstable or urgent patients should be evaluated by our emergency department to determine the best imaging option and timing.
Outpatient CT:
What is CT?
Computed Tomography (CT) is an imaging technique that uses x-rays and computer technology to create detailed images of the inside of the body, in a non-invasive manner. These images can be combined to create a three-dimensional view of the body’s structures.
Its findings rarely stand on their own and must be interpreted in light of the entire clinical picture. For this reason, our imaging department collaborates with your primary care veterinarian to facilitate outpatient imaging and a full report is provided to your primary veterinarian for interpretation within the context of your pet’s clinical condition.
Our facility features an 128-slice CT scanner, the same advanced imaging technology used in human hospitals. Unlike cone beam scanners often utilized elsewhere, which are limited to small areas and have difficulty evaluating soft tissues, our CT system delivers ultra-fast, high-resolution, full-body imaging in just seconds. This advanced technology produces exceptionally detailed 3D images of organs, muscles, blood vessels, and other internal structures, while also offering vascular imaging and advanced cardiac scan capabilities. The result is faster, safer diagnostics, minimal time under sedation, and more accurate answers, providing a level of image quality and diagnostic precision not available with traditional cone beam systems.
How does outpatient CT work?
Your primary care veterinarian must complete a referral form and then we will contact you to schedule your pet’s outpatient CT.
Someone from our team will also reach out to you within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment to confirm medications and discuss recommendations for your appointment.
Board-certified radiologist reports are typically available within 1-2 business days and are shared directly with your primary veterinarian.
Your primary veterinarian will contact you to convey the results of the study and create a treatment plan tailored for you and your pet.
If the results warrant a consultation with one of our specialty departments, please give us a call and we can facilitate consultation with one of our specialties as a next step.
Will my animal be sedated?
CT requires heavy sedation to facilitate quality imaging. Patients must be good candidates for heavy sedation. Gabapentin and/or Trazodone are commonly used to help reduce stress, promote comfort during outpatient visits and minimize the amount of IV sedation needed. If you believe your pet may benefit from these medications prior to their outpatient CT appointment at WVRC, please discuss this with your primary veterinarian.
Through our coordination with your primary veterinarian and our anesthesia teams, we will tailor a sedation approach that is safe for your pet.
After imaging, patients are monitored for 1-2 hours to assist in their recovery from sedation. We expect they can go home between 2-4 hours after their scheduled imaging time.
How do I prepare for my outpatient CT appointment?
Please withhold food from your pet for 12 hours prior to their appointment. (A small amount of water may be offered up to 4 hours before the appointment).
Important Reminders
Outpatient CT is intended for stable patients who can wait for a scheduled appointment and whose care continues to be managed by their primary veterinarian. Urgent or unstable patients should be evaluated through our emergency service to determine the most appropriate imaging plan and timing.