Return to: U of M Home

	myU \| One Stop \| Directories \| Search U of M

Owner and Patient Instructions

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Ultrasound or Ultrasound with Biopsy
Special Procedures

Cystourethrography
Dynamic Esophagography
Fluoroscopy
Intravenous Urography (IVU)
Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

Go to Top

Your pet is scheduled to have a CT scan. This information sheet will give you an idea of what is involved in the procedure and what to expect.

How does a CT scan work?
Computed tomography is commonly referred to as a CT scan. This technology is very useful when looking at parts of the body such as the lungs and thorax, nasal passage and sinuses, ears, abdomen and some orthopedic structures. CT scans are non-invasive and are not painful. The table on which the animal is laying is slowly advanced into the part of the machine that performs the scan (called the gantry). An x-ray tube rotates 360° around the patient to record the x-rays from many angles, creating slices. The number of images taken depends on the area and size of the suspected problem. When the computer finishes processing the information, the slices are stacked together to create a three dimensional image of your pet without superimposition of organs or other tissues.
Why has a CT scan been recommended?
Animals who are candidates for a CT scan include those with lung disease, screening the lungs for metastatic cancer prior to surgery, nasal disease, ear disease, abdominal and some orthopedic conditions and patients with metal implants that cannot be imaged with MRI. CT can also be used to guide tissue sampling of deep structures, particularly within the thorax. CT scans provide better differentiation of bones and soft tissues than conventional radiographs (x-rays) because this slice-based x-ray technology avoids the superimposition of structures that occurs with radiology, and because CT can differentiate between fluid and soft tissue. An iodine-based contrast media is usually injected intravenously to further increase the differentiation of tissue. The results of the CT scan will help your veterinarian make a definitive diagnosis and offer you the best options for treating your pet.
Are there any known complications from a CT scan?
CT scans are considered safe, but they do utilize ionizing radiation (like an x-ray). There can be some side effects associated with the iodine-containing contrast which may be injected during the procedure. If your pet has seizures, kidney disease, or cardiac disease, we may elect to use a different type of contrast or not give contrast at all. If CT is used to guide tissue sampling, side effects can include bleeding or a leak of the lung which leads to air around the lung.
How should I prepare my pet for the CT scan?
Pets having a CT scan must be anesthetized so that they remain still for the procedure, which lasts about 30-60 minutes. In preparation for general anesthesia, your pet should not eat after 8 p.m. the night before the exam. Please continue to provide free access to fresh water. Ask your veterinarian for instructions if your pet is on any medications.
What should I bring to the appointment?
We will ask your veterinarian to fax us a copy of the medical record so that you do not need to be responsible. However, if your veterinarian has any x-rays that they are unable to mail to us in time for the appointment, we ask that you please bring those to the appointment.
What should I expect during the CT scan?
Your pet will be anesthetized approximately 30-60 minutes for the CT scan. Before any anesthesia is given, we will make sure that your pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. We will place an intravenous catheter for fluid administration throughout the procedure. Your pet's vital signs will be carefully monitored during and after anesthesia.
What happens to my pet after the CT scan?
After the CT scan, your pet will be disoriented and off balance for about half an hour. We will watch your pet closely until he/she has recovered. Once your pet is standing and able to move around safely, he/she will be hospitalized in our wards. Your pet will be able to be discharged between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. You will be notified as to when you may pick up your pet.
Your pet may urinate a large amount after they get home because of the fluids given during the anesthesia. Once home, it will be important to keep your pet away from stairs and obstacles and feed only a small meal. The effects of general anesthesia should be gone within about 24 hours. If you feel your pet has not fully recovered by that time, please call us or your regular veterinarian.
How will I learn the results of the CT scan?
The radiologist who performed your pet's procedure will complete a report which will be faxed to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will call you with the results of this procedure.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Go to Top

Your pet is scheduleded to have an MRI. This information sheet will give you an idea of what is involved in the procedure and what to expect.

What is MRI and how does it work?
An MRI is an advanced imaging technology that has been used in human medicine for the last two decades. MRI is non-invasive and is not painful. Unlike x-rays or CTs, the MRI does not use ionizing radiation. Instead, it uses magnetic fields and pulses of radio waves to temporarily and harmlessly energize molecules in your pet's body. As they relax, these energized molecules give off signals that are transferred into images.
Why has an MRI been recommended?
MRI is a very powerful imaging modality. It has been recommended because it provides exceptional soft tissue detail. We can image areas such as the brain, spine and spinal cord, nasal passage and sinuses, abdominal organs, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints with more detail than a radiograph (x-ray) or CT scan. The results of the MRI will help your veterinarian make a definitive diagnosis and offer you the best options for treating your pet.
Are there any known complications from an MRI?
MRI exams are considered safe. The procedure does cause some heating in the body, but there are safe-guards to stay well below any harmful effect. There are reported side effects in people with severe kidney disease from the contrast which may be administered during the exam. Although this has not been documented in animals, if your pet has severe kidney disease, the contrast will not be administered. Pieces of metal in the body (bullet fragments, pellets, surgical devices) can cause artifacts on the MRI images, but generally do not harm the pet; however, it is important for us to know if there is the possibility of these metal objects in your pet.
How should I prepare my pet for the MRI?
Pets having an MRI must be anesthetized so that they remain still for the procedure, which lasts approximately one hour. In preparation for general anesthesia, your pet should not eat after 8 p.m. the night before the exam. Please continue to provide free access to fresh water. Ask your veterinarian for instructions if your pet is on any medications.
What should I bring to the appointment?
We will ask your veterinarian to fax us a copy of the medical record so that you do not need to be responsible. However, if your veterinarian has any x-rays that they are unable to mail to us in time for the appointment, we ask that you please bring those to the appointment.
What should I expect during the MRI?
Your pet will be anesthetized for approximately one hour for the MRI exam. Before any anesthesia is given, we will make sure that your pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. We will place an intravenous catheter for fluid administration throughout the procedure. Your pet's vital signs will be carefully monitored during and after anesthesia.
What happens to my pet after the MRI?
After anesthesia, your pet will be disoriented and off balance for about half an hour. We will watch your pet closely until he/she has recovered. Once your pet is standing and able to move around safely, he/she will be hospitalized in our wards. Your pet will be able to be discharged between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. You will be notified as to when you may pick up your pet.
Your pet may urinate a large amount after returning home because of the fluids given during the anesthesia. Once home, it will be important to keep your pet away from stairs and obstacles and feed only a small meal. The effects of general anesthesia should be gone within about 24 hours. If you feel your pet has not fully recovered by that time, please call us or your regular veterinarian.
How will I learn the results of the MRI?
The radiologist who performed your pet's procedure will complete a report which will be faxed to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will call you with the results of this procedure.

Ultrasound or Ultrasound with Biopsy

Go to Top

Your pet is scheduled to have an ultrasound procedure. This information sheet will give you an idea of what is involved in the procedure and what to expect. There are no known harmful effects associated with routine veterinary ultrasounds. When guided sampling (biopsy) is needed, there is a low possibility of complications occurring. Please discuss with your veterinarian.

What is an ultrasound?
Ultrasound is an imaging technique based on the use of sound waves and offers a non-invasive, non-painful method for diagnosis and staging of many diseases.
Why has an ultrasound been recommended?
Ultrasound is an excellent tool for evaluating the internal abdominal organs (liver, gallbladder, kidneys, urinary bladder, lymph nodes), checking for pregnancy, evaluating for thoracic masses, and other structures (for example, thyroid and parathyroid). Ultrasound is also an excellent tool to obtain tissue samples without submitting your pet to surgery. The results of the ultrasound will help your veterinarian make a definitive diagnosis and offer you the best options for treating your pet.
How should I prepare my pet for the ultrasound?
Pets having an ultrasound should not eat for twelve hours prior to the procedure; therefore, please do not feed your pet after 8 p.m. the night before the exam. Please continue to provide free access to fresh water. The presence of food in the stomach makes it more difficult for the ultrasound to penetrate to the organs to be studied. Even if the animal has only a small meal or a "cookie", he or she may swallow gas with it, which will block the ultrasound beam. Ask your veterinarian for instructions if your pet is on any medications.
Pets having an ultrasound with biopsy
A fine needle aspirate/core needle biopsy are methods of collecting cells or tissue from a specific site such as an organ (kidney or liver), an undetermined mass, or area to look for signs of infection, cancer, or other conditions. The veterinary radiologist inserts a needle or biopsy instrument into the area and withdraws a sample of tissue. The material is then examined under a microscope. A fine needle aspirate and/or core needle biopsy may be the only test you need to find out whether an area is diseased; however, in some cases your pet may need another procedure.
Pets having an ultrasound with biopsy must be anesthetized so that they remain still for the exam. In preparation for general anesthesia, they should not eat after 8 p.m. the night before the exam. Ask your veterinarian for instructions if your pet is on any medications. If fasting is not possible (ie diabetic patient) keep the morning meal as small as possible, and schedule the ultrasound as close before the next meal as possible.
Your pet will have an area of hair / coat shaved
To ensure the best ultrasound results possible, we will shave the animal. For most abdominal exams, we shave from the last few ribs to the brim of the pelvis, and about one third of the way up the side towards the back. A larger area may be needed depending on the specific areas being examined and your pet's body shape. For non-abdominal exams, ask your veterinarian what area will be shaved if you are concerned. We make every effort to shave carefully, but some pets may experience mild "razor burn".
What should I bring to the appointment?
We will ask your veterinarian to fax us a copy of the medical record so that you do not need to be responsible. However, if your veterinarian has any x-rays that they are unable to mail to us in time for the appointment, we ask that you please bring those to the appointment.
What happens to my pet after the ultrasound procedure?
If an ultrasound with biopsy is performed in most cases you will be unable to see from where the sample was taken, but please watch for bleeding, redness, or swelling over the next couple of days.
If sedated or anesthetized your pet will be disoriented and off balance for about half an hour. We will watch your pet closely until he/she has recovered. Once your pet is standing and able to move around safely, they will be hospitalized in our wards. Your pet will be able to be discharged between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. You will be notified as to when you may pick up your pet.
Your pet may urinate a large amount after returning home because of fluids that may be given during the anesthesia. Once home, it will be important to keep your pet away from stairs and obstacles and feed only a small meal. The effects of the sedation / anesthesia should be gone within about 24 hours. If you feel your pet has not fully recovered by that time, please call us or your regular veterinarian.
How will I learn the results of the ultrasound?
The radiologist who performed your pet's procedure will complete a report which will be faxed to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will call you with the results of this procedure.

Special Procedures - Cystourethrography

Go to Top