Digital Dental Radiographs
A dental radiograph is very similar to you getting dental X-rays taken at your dentist. As part of our dental process we will take radiographs of your cat’s teeth. We do this for every dental patient we see to ensure we are providing the best care. These radiographs can help the Veterinarian determine the best treatment for your cat. If your cat has a broken tooth or disease below the gum line the radiograph will show this. A radiograph cannot be done without anesthesia. Once we know what is going on inside your cat’s mouth, we can make decisions about the best way to care for your cat. We will not do any additional work without your acknowledgment and we ask that the day of your cat’s dental procedure, you be available by phone to discuss what is found on the radiographs and your options.
The radiation risk to the patient from taking dental radiographs is minimal. We only use digital imaging systems which significantly reduces the radiation exposure for the patient and veterinary staff present.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure used to evaluate your cat’s internal organs. The ultrasound machine sends sound waves into your pet’s body, listens for the echoes, and the echoes form a picture of what’s going on inside your pet. Ultrasound examinations can be used to examine the abdominal organs, heart, and reproductive organs in cats. An ultrasound may be advised if your cat is vomiting, has diarrhea, is having difficulty urinating, or is suspected of having heart disease. During an exam, the Doctor will feel your cat’s abdomen and may recommend an ultrasound if they feel a lump or mass, or if your cat’s bloodwork comes back abnormal.
If it is recommended that your cat have an ultrasound the Doctor and Staff at Albuquerque Cat Clinic will discuss this with you and answer any questions you may have.
Digital Radiographs
We may on occasion need to do a Digital Radiograph (X-ray) on your cat. We do this to help us determine the cause of your cat’s illness or problems. A Digital Radiograph can be done here in our office and we have immediate results and information to share with you.
Digital Radiographs (X-rays) provide valuable information about a cat’s bones, gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, colon), respiratory tract (lungs), heart, bladder and prostate. We use digital radiology (x-rays) rather than film so we can provide you with a faster diagnosis. Digital Radiographs use less radiation than traditional film X-rays, making them safer for your cat and for our staff.
To diagnose your cat using a digital radiograph it is best for your cat to be completely still. This may be difficult to accomplish if your cat is not sedated, so on occasion we may need to use sedation or anesthesia to help us get the best picture possible.
If you have any questions about any of our imaging procedures, please do not hesitate to talk to our highly trained Care Team Members!