Veterinary radiology is an essential tool for diagnosing a wide range of conditions. Are your customers properly equipped?

Radiology plays a crucial role in veterinary diagnostics, offering a non-invasive, quick and reliable method to evaluate a range of conditions in animal patients. The technology is indispensable for assessing musculoskeletal issues, such as fractures, dislocations and degenerative joint disease, as well as for diagnosing conditions in soft tissue structures, including cardiac and pulmonary abnormalities, gastrointestinal (GI) blockages and masses. Medical imaging also serves as an essential tool for dental evaluations, foreign body detection and monitoring the progression of chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis and heart disease. In addition, medical imaging provides detailed and immediate insights into a patient’s internal anatomy, enhancing the veterinarian’s diagnostic accuracy and enabling more effective treatment planning, which improves patient outcomes.

Veterinary radiology technology is rapidly advancing. Modern innovations, such as digital radiography, allow veterinarians to instantly capture high-quality images that provide clearer details and reduce the need for retakes, minimizing radiation exposure. Computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are becoming more accessible in veterinary practices, offering 3D imaging that better visualizes complex structures, such as the brain, joints and internal organs. Additionally, cloud-based imaging platforms enable seamless sharing of radiographs and scans with specialists for quicker consultations. These technological advancements are enhancing diagnostic accuracy, improving patient care, and streamlining workflows in veterinary clinics.

Let’s more closely examine how today’s general practitioners are using digital radiography, and the best practices for taking images.

How is radiography used in general veterinary practice?

In general veterinary practice, radiography is a fundamental tool used to diagnose a wide range of conditions in animals. Some key applications include:

Musculoskeletal assessments – Radiography provides detailed images of bones and joints, allowing veterinarians to diagnose conditions such as fractures, dislocations and bone tumors. In trauma cases, radiographs are often the first imaging modality used to identify breaks, determine their severity and guide treatment plans. Radiographs also play a crucial role in detecting diseases, such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation and osteoarthritis.
Soft tissue evaluation – Veterinarians can use X-rays to gain crucial insights into the condition of organs and structures, such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, urinary bladder and GI tract. Thoracic radiographs are commonly used to evaluate the heart and lungs to diagnose conditions such as cardiomegaly, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion or tumors. In the abdominal cavity, radiography helps veterinarians identify conditions such as GI blockages, organ enlargement or abnormal fluid accumulation.
Dental examination – Intraoral radiographs provide critical information about the health of tooth roots, alveolar bone and surrounding structures that aren’t visible externally. This helps diagnose conditions such as tooth root abscesses, periodontal disease, retained roots and fractures, which can all cause significant discomfort and health issues, if left untreated. Without X-rays, veterinarians can easily miss significant oral health issues that are visible only below the gum line.
Foreign body detection – When a pet ingests a foreign body, radiographs allow veterinarians to locate the object in the GI tract and assess severity. X-rays not only provide immediate visualization of radiopaque objects, but can also reveal secondary obstruction signs, such as abnormal gas patterns and intestinal distention or fluid buildup, if the object isn’t visible. This imaging helps to determine whether conservative management is appropriate or more invasive interventions, such as endoscopy or surgery, are necessary.

Laura Shuler, DVM, owner of Animal Hospitals of the Lowcountry, said that radiographs are especially useful for oral and bladder surgeries.

“Oral surgeries are hands down improved by using digital radiology, and when performing bladder surgeries, pre- and post-op films are necessary to ensure you clear radiodense stones.”

She also points out that radiographs are a necessary prescreening tool for surgical candidates.

“When planning to remove a spleen, if the pre-op chest film reveals suspicious areas on the lungs, you may rethink your plan of action.”

What are the capabilities of advanced radiography models?

Advanced digital radiography technology provides a range of enhanced capabilities that significantly improve diagnostic efficiency and accuracy. Key features include:

High-resolution imaging – Advanced digital radiography systems offer superior image quality with high resolution and contrast, allowing veterinarians to visualize subtle anatomy changes and detect conditions they may miss with traditional film radiography.
Immediate image availability – The rapid availability of digital radiography enables veterinarians to make quick diagnostic decisions, reducing the time pets must remain in stressful positions and improving patient care.
Post-processing flexibility – Digital images can be easily manipulated, allowing veterinarians to adjust brightness, contrast and zoom to enhance the visibility of specific areas.
Image storing and sharing – Digital images can be stored electronically and easily retrieved for future reference or monitoring. Additionally, they can be shared seamlessly with specialists for remote consultations, improving collaborative care and case management.
Automatic exposure control – Many advanced digital radiography systems feature automatic exposure control, which optimizes the radiation dose based on the patient’s size and the anatomical area being imaged. This technology further ensures image quality, while minimizing exposure.

Dr. Shuler believes that taking advantage of the ability to easily share images with veterinary radiologists is important to provide patients the best possible care. “We build it into the price, so that we can send every image out for review,” she said. “It’s important to us to provide that as a service for our clients.”

What are best practices when taking radiographs?

Adhering to best practices when taking radiographs helps ensure high-quality images, minimizes radiation exposure and enhances patient safety. Key considerations include:

Patient preparation – Ensure that the patient is properly positioned and calm before taking radiographs. This may require sedation or physical restraint, depending on the area being imaged. For abdominal radiographs, ensure that the patient’s bladder is full to enhance visibility.
Proper positioning – Correct positioning is crucial for obtaining diagnostic-quality images. Use positioning aids, such as sandbags, tape or foam wedges to maintain alignment. Ensure the region of interest is centered and that the radiographic technique is appropriate for the anatomical area being imaged.
Use protective equipment – Minimize radiation exposure for personnel in the radiography room with lead shields, aprons and thyroid collars.
Follow regulatory requirements – Ensure team members wear their radiology badges and follow all regulatory codes.
Review images – Before the patient leaves the X-ray table, briefly review the image for readability and to ensure nothing was missed.

Dr. Shuler said that proper restraint is key to a good radiograph. “Know your patient and use the appropriate chemical restraint when necessary, so you aren’t scaring them or fighting with them.”

How can veterinary vendor partners help?

Distributor reps can support veterinarians regarding radiology equipment and training in several ways, including:

Customized equipment solutions – Vendor partners can help veterinarians select the most suitable radiology equipment based on the practice’s specific needs. They can tailor equipment recommendations to the practice’s patient demographics, caseload and budget. This ensures the practice invests in technology that maximizes diagnostic accuracy and is cost-effective.
Training and continued education – Comprehensive training is key to ensuring veterinary teams can efficiently use radiology equipment. Vendor partners can provide on-site training, online training modules and instructional videos specific to the practice’s equipment. They can also offer specialized training in areas such as dental imaging and advanced post-processing techniques to enhance diagnostic outcomes.
Good technical support – Radiography systems are complex, and technical issues can delay diagnostics and treatment. Prompt, knowledgeable tech support helps veterinarians quickly resolve problems, perform regular maintenance and receive software updates that improve the system’s performance. In addition, a good technical support team can guide the veterinary team on optimizing image quality and using advanced features, which enhances diagnostic accuracy and clinic workflow.
Regulatory and compliance assistance – Vendors can help practices remain compliant with radiation safety regulations by guiding them on proper shielding and staff safety protocols. They may also assist in maintaining the records and documentation required for equipment certification, radiation monitoring and regulatory audits.

Advanced radiology models enable veterinarians to diagnose conditions earlier, develop more precise treatment plans and monitor disease progression with greater accuracy, which lead to better patient outcomes. Veterinarians who partner with knowledgeable vendors can ensure they are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, receive ongoing support and are properly trained to deliver optimal patient care.

The more they know

Comprehensive training is key to ensuring veterinary teams can efficiently use radiology equipment. Vendor partners can provide on-site training, online training modules and instructional videos specific to the practice’s equipment.

How easy is the technology to use?

As owner of three practices, Dr. Shuler has a lot of experience working with radiography systems. “The equipment is easy to use when it is working well,” she said. She explained that when the X-ray table connects well, things go smoothly and that while the older models are typically built better, they may be more temperamental when communicating digitally, which can complicate how the system works.

Photo credit:

istockphoto.com/ArtistGNDphotography

Radiology in Veterinary General Practices