Imaging & Scans

Our veterinarians deal with a range of medical illnesses, including the heart, lungs, digestive system, hormones/endocrine problems such as diabetes, urinary problems and disorders of the brain and neurological system.

At our hospital, state-of-the-art diagnostic tests are available, combined with veterinary and nursing staff on duty 24-hours per day to care for your pet. If your pet is very unwell, he or she may be placed in our intensive care unit overnight, to ensure constant supervision and excellent nursing care. We also have a dedicated cat-only ward, where you cat may rest in peaceful surroundings away from dogs and other animals.

On-site, we have a 4-slice helical CT scanner, Color-flow Doppler ultrasound, video endoscopy and in-house laboratory facilities to ensure the best treatments are available for your pet. We are able to perform advanced procedures such as cerebrospinal fluid analysis (‘spinal taps’), placement of feeding tubes, ventilation (assisted breathing) and oxygen therapy.

Common Reasons For Exploratory Imaging

Infection can cause serious illness, especially in very young or very old patients. Infections can range from minor infections of a skin wound, to life-threatening infections of the lungs (pneumonia), brain (infectious meningitis) or other internal organs. Signs of an infection may include lethargy, unwillingness to eat, loss of energy, fever, swelling, nasal discharge, cough, swellings, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Once a veterinarian has examined your pet, blood test, Xrays or tissue samples are required in some cases. Our hospital is fitted with a dedicated isolation unit, so that patients with infection may be kept separate from the rest of the hospital. We carry a full range of antibiotics and other medications to treat your pet as required. We also have strict hospital policies on dealing with infection, to ensure the best outcome for your pet.

In some cases, your pet will gain weight from overfeeding and lack of exercise. It is important to regularly weigh your pet, and also the measure your dog’s food to ensure they are being fed the correct amount. In some cases, there may be a medical reason for weight gain. If you are concerned, please consult a veterinarian.

If you feel your dog or cat has recently started to drink more water than normal, it is important to consult your veterinarian. There are many different causes of increased thirst, including kidney failure, liver disease, disorders of the brain, behavioral reasons and other causes. Generally, the veterinarian will start with blood and urine tests. It is also useful to actually measure and record how much water your pet is drinking at home (however this can be difficult to do if there is more than one animal in the house).

There are various different causes of increased hunger in animals. This can include dietary deficiencies, digestive problems, behavioral problems, and malnutrition to name a few. It is important to measure or weigh the amount of food your pet is receiving. If you are concerned your pet may have increased hunger, please consult a veterinarian.

Unfortunately, animals can develop cancer just as people can. Pets can suffer from all types of cancer, ranging from small skin tumors that are easily removed to advanced cancer involving major organs. At Pet Emergency and Specialist Centre, we have surgeons available to diagnose and treat many types of cancer. Our specially trained staff commonly perform cancer surgery, palliative and nursing care for pets suffering from cancer. In some cases, you may receive a referral from your local family veterinarian to our hospital. In other cases, signs of cancer can come on suddenly and you may need to come into our emergency department. We understand the human-animal bond and are highly trained in the fields of pain relief and palliative therapy and aim to provide you with the best treatment options for your special pet.

Common Imaging Techniques

We have four diagnostic modalities available for fast and accurate imaging:

  • Digital radiology (DR)
  • Ultrasound
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Computed tomography (CT).

Each plays an important role in the management of patients with relative advantages and disadvantages. Radiology is fast and does not often require anaesthesia allowing vets to attain diagnoses during their emergency consultations.

  • Radiology remains the backbone of orthopaedic surgery (bones and joints).
  • Ultrasound allows us to look inside the abdomen and assess the organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys and GIT and to see if there is any free fluid or enlarged lymph nodes.
  • Fluoroscopy offers continuous imaging and can also be mobile to allow imaging during surgery.
  • PESC has a 16 slice GE CT scanner which allows sensitive assessment of the brain, body cavities and spine.