Cave Creek Equine Surgical and Diagnostic Imaging Center
MRI and Nuclear Scintigraphy for Small Animals
MRI image of a dog spinal cord.
Bone Scan (nuclear scintigraphy) of a dog.
MRI- How Does It Work?
MRI utilizes a strong magnetic field (5000 times a strong as the Earth’s magnetic field) to orient the atoms of the body. By changing this field temporarily, the atoms react and emit radio waves that are transformed by a computer to create the MRI image. No radiation is used and there are no known side-effects to the use of MRI.
Indications for Nuclear Scintigraphy
Subclinical renal insufficiency, Response to therapy, Evaluate function prior to renal insult, Prior to nephrectomy/nephrotomy, Obstructive uropathies, Post transplantationBones/Joints/Spine
Kidneys
Kidneys
Angiocardiogram
Left to right/right to left cardiac shunts, Localize shunt location
Venriculogram
Ventricular function, Ejection fraction, Systolic and Diastolic function
Hepatobiliary
Hepatocyte function, Biliary tract patency, Hepatic morphology, Biliary kinetics and gall bladder ejection fraction, Acute or chronic cholecysitits
Portosystemic Shunts
Severity, Determine the efficacy of surgery, Monitor effect of occluding devices
Gastrointestinal
Esophagus, Gastric emptying, Gastrointestinal blood loss
Lymphoscintigraphy
Lymphoedema, patency, metastasis, leakage from thoracic duct, Sentinal node
Small Animal MRI and Nuclear Scintigraphy
Small animal veterinarians may refer their patients to Cave Creek Equine Surgical & Diagnostic Imaging Center for MRI, Nuclear Scintigraphy, or digital radiography. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call our hospital. Image interpretation is not included in the procedure. We will send the images to the veterinary radiologist of your choice, or will happily offer the names of individuals who are willing to interpret the images.
Advanced Diagnostic Imaging
MRI is the gold standard in human medicine for diagnostic imaging of orthopedic and soft tissue injuries. It is rapidly becoming the gold standard in veterinary medicine as well. Unlike x-rays, MRI shows both bone and soft tissues like tendons and ligaments. It can even detect areas of inflammation (swelling) within both bone and soft tissues.
MRI is the gold standard in human medicine for diagnostic imaging of orthopedic and soft tissue injuries. It is rapidly becoming the gold standard in veterinary medicine as well. Unlike x-rays, MRI shows both bone and soft tissues like tendons and ligaments. It can even detect areas of inflammation (swelling) within both bone and soft tissues.
MRI at Cave Creek Equine
A state-of-the-art open Rotating Grande magnet has been installed in a customized facility at Cave Creek Equine Surgical & Diagnostic Imaging Center. This system allows for effective and efficient imaging of orthopedic and soft tissue disorders in dogs and cats. The latest MRI is not only faster (requiring shorter anesthesia times), but provides superior image quality.
A state-of-the-art open Rotating Grande magnet has been installed in a customized facility at Cave Creek Equine Surgical & Diagnostic Imaging Center. This system allows for effective and efficient imaging of orthopedic and soft tissue disorders in dogs and cats. The latest MRI is not only faster (requiring shorter anesthesia times), but provides superior image quality.