Diagnostic Imaging for Pets
When physical exams and lab tests aren’t enough, diagnostic imaging allows us to look inside your pet’s body and get clear answers-quickly and safely.
At River Road Animal Hospital, we use modern digital X-ray and ultrasound technology to diagnose illness, injury, and internal disease. Our imaging is performed in-house whenever possible, reviewed carefully by your veterinarian, and supported by advanced consultation when needed.
Digital X-Rays: Fast Answers, Confident Decisions
Digital X-rays allow us to capture detailed images in seconds, helping us diagnose many conditions during the same visit. This means less waiting, fewer repeat appointments, and faster treatment when your pet needs it. Unlike older film systems, digital images can be adjusted, enlarged, and securely shared, giving us greater clarity and flexibility in care.
How We Use Digital X-Rays
Digital X-rays help us evaluate:
- Bone fractures and joint injuries
- Heart and lung conditions
- Abdominal organs and intestinal blockages
- Bladder stones and kidney changes
- Tumors, masses, and internal abnormalities
- Dental and jaw conditions
Added Expertise Built In
Every X-ray we take can be reviewed in multiple ways:
- AI - assisted interpretation for rapid confirmation
- Board - certified veterinary radiologist review when additional expertise is needed
This layered approach gives you the benefit of advanced technology and specialist-level insight - without needing to leave our hospital.
Comfort and Safety
Digital X-rays use significantly less radiation than traditional systems and are completed quickly. Most pets do not require sedation. For anxious or painful patients, light sedation may be recommended to keep the experience calm and comfortable.
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Ultrasound Imaging: A Deeper Look Inside
Ultrasound allows us to evaluate soft tissues and internal organs in real time, providing information that X-rays alone can’t always reveal. It’s non-invasive, radiation-free, and highly informative. At River Road Animal Hospital, ultrasounds may be performed:
- In-house by our veterinary team, all of whom receive ongoing ultrasound training
- By an experienced visiting ultrasonographer with over 30 years of expertise for more comprehensive studies
This flexible approach ensures your pet receives the level of detail their condition requires.
What to Expect
Ultrasound exams are painless and typically do not require anesthesia. Fur may be lightly clipped to improve image quality. Images are carefully reviewed, and results are discussed with you so you understand both the findings and the next steps.
Ultrasound Is Commonly Used to Evaluate
- Chronic vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained weight loss
- Liver, kidney, spleen, or bladder disease
- Fluid buildup or internal inflammation
- Abdominal masses or organ changes
- Pregnancy and fetal development
Ultrasound often helps us avoid exploratory surgery and move directly to targeted treatment.
Why Imaging at River Road Animal Hospital Matters
- Advanced digital imaging performed on-site
- Specialist consultation available when needed
- Faster answers and coordinated care
- Less stress and fewer referrals for pets and owners
Imaging That Works Together
Digital X-rays and ultrasound look at the body in different, but complementary, ways. X-rays are especially helpful for evaluating bones, lungs, and overall organ size, while ultrasound allows us to assess soft tissues, organ structure, and motion in real time.
In some situations, one imaging tool may be clearly best, such as X-rays for fractures or ultrasound to evaluate intestinal movement. In many cases, however, using both together provides a more complete picture, helping us understand not just what structures look like but also how they function.
By combining imaging modalities when appropriate, we’re able to make more confident diagnoses and create more precise treatment plans.
Ultrasounding the Heart
- Chronic vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained weight loss
- Liver, kidney, spleen, or bladder disease
- Fluid buildup or internal inflammation
- Abdominal masses or organ changes
- Pregnancy and fetal development
In addition to evaluating abdominal organs, ultrasound plays an important role in assessing heart health. When a heart murmur is detected, or in breeds at higher risk for cardiac disease, ultrasound allows us to evaluate heart structure and function more closely and determine whether further monitoring or treatment is needed.
This non-invasive approach helps us distinguish between innocent findings and conditions that require ongoing care – often without the need for referral or invasive testing.
Using X-rays and ultrasound together allows us to see both structure and function – giving a clearer, more complete understanding of your pet’s health.
Which Imaging Does My Pet Need?
- X-rays are often the first step when we need to evaluate bones, lungs, overall organ size, or look for things like fractures, foreign objects, or changes in the chest or abdomen.
- Ultrasound allows us to look more closely at soft tissues and organ function, including how structures move, how blood flows, and whether organs are structurally normal.
In many cases, these tools are used together. For example, X-rays may show changes in organ size, while ultrasound helps us understand what’s happening inside those organs. Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate imaging – or combination of imaging – based on your pet’s symptoms, exam findings, and health history.
Our goal is always to gather the right information with the least stress to your pet.
Cardiac Screening for At - Risk Breeds
Some pets are at higher risk for heart disease based on breed, age, or physical exam findings.
When a heart murmur is detected – or when a pet belongs to a breed known for inherited cardiac conditions – ultrasound can play an important role in early evaluation.
Cardiac ultrasound allows us to assess:
- Heart structure and chamber size
- Valve function
- Blood flow and heart motion
This helps us distinguish between innocent murmurs and changes that require monitoring or treatment.
Breeds commonly recommended for cardiac screening may include:
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Boxers
- Doberman Pinschers
- Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats
- Other breeds with known cardiac risk
Early screening can provide peace of mind or allow us to begin monitoring and care before symptoms develop, supporting better long-term outcomes.