Radiology
Our hospital has state-of-the-art x-ray and ultrasound diagnostic equipment, permitting our doctors to do many specialized procedures. Most of these procedures can be done the same day the pet is admitted into the hospital.
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Myelogram: involves inserting dye into the spinal canal through a spinal tap in order to detect intervertebral disk abnormalities, spinal tumors or cogngenital central nervous system defects.
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Cystogram: involves inserting dye into the bladder through a urinary catheter to detect abnormalities in the bladder wall (such as tumors, or changes due to chronic infection) or bladder stones that are not evident on routine X-rays.
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GI Barium Series: involves following the flow of barium through the intestinal tract to detect foreign objects, tumors, and certain motility disorders.
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Hip Abnormalities (Hip Dysplasia): Our hospital offers two types of radiographic analysis of hip dysplasia: the most traditional OFA films and the Penn Hip analysis. Penn Hip is a statistical analysis that has been shown to predict the possibility of hip disorders as early as 4 months of age, whereas the standard OFA cannot be performed until 2 years of age. We are one of the few hospitals certified to perform the Penn Hip method in the Houston area .
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Ultrasonography: While the animal is awake, ultrasonography enables the doctor to evaluate heart function and changes in organ density. While x-rays are very important for evaluating changes in organ size and shape, only the ultrasound can detect changes in organ consistency (tumor) or function.
