Computed Tomography is commonly referred to as a CT scan or CAT scan. This technology is very useful when looking at parts of the body such as lungs, nasal passage and sinuses, ears, abdomen and some bones and joints. The animal is anaesthetised and laid on the CT table, which is slowly advanced through the scanning tube. An x-ray tube rotates 360˚ around the patient to record the x-rays from many angles, creating “slices”. The computer stacks these slices together to create a 3-D image of your pet’s body parts.
Patients that may have been recommended a CT scan include those with lung disease, screening for cancer spread prior to surgery, disease in the nose or ears, suspected brain tumour, abdominal conditions and some orthopaedic conditions. CT scans provide better differentiation of bones and soft tissues than ordinary x-rays because this slice-based technology avoids superimposition of body parts, in other words we can single out particular organs/bones/areas that would otherwise appear flattened with surrounding structures on an ordinary x-ray film. A contrast media is usually injected intravenously to further increase differentiation. The the images created will help your veterinarian make a definitive diagnosis and therefore offer you the best options for treating your pet.
Patients that may have been recommended a CT scan include those with lung disease, screening for cancer spread prior to surgery, disease in the nose or ears, suspected brain tumour, abdominal conditions and some orthopaedic conditions. CT scans provide better differentiation of bones and soft tissues than ordinary x-rays because this slice-based technology avoids superimposition of body parts, in other words we can single out particular organs/bones/areas that would otherwise appear flattened with surrounding structures on an ordinary x-ray film. A contrast media is usually injected intravenously to further increase differentiation. The the images created will help your veterinarian make a definitive diagnosis and therefore offer you the best options for treating your pet.
