When it comes to a pet’s health, pet owners should take every step to keep them happy, healthy, and full of life. That’s why our team at West Park Animal Hospital has added a CT machine/CAT machine to our veterinary facility. This high-tech equipment offers a CT scan for pets that helps see things the human eye cannot. When you add that to our team’s knowledge and experience, it’s easy to see why we’re trusted by those in West Park, North Olmsted, Berea, Rocky River, Lakewood, Fairview Park, and Cleveland, Ohio, as well as other surrounding areas. Learn more about veterinary diagnostics at West Park Animal Hospital.

What Is a CT Machine?

Computed tomography, or CT, is a computerized X-ray imaging procedure used in medical environments. The process uses X-rays to take images of your pet’s body. During a CT scan, your pet sits on a special table, X-ray beams rotate around the body, and the computer generates cross-sectional images called tomographic images. These tomographic images help provide intricate detail that X-rays alone could not. When enough images are generated, a CT machine can create a 3D image that pet owners and veterinarians can better understand.

What Are CT Machines Used For?

When your pet gets sick, a veterinarian can usually figure out what’s wrong with a physical exam and basic diagnostics; but sometimes they might require the assistance of internal imaging. Unlike humans, pets can’t tell the vet where it hurts, so it’s harder to find out what’s going on inside them.

That’s where CT scans come in. The scans are super detailed pictures of the inside of your pet’s body. With these images, vets can see everything from bones and muscles to organs and blood vessels without having to do any cutting. This simple process can lead to the discovery of tumors, allow for investigation of dental disease, and more. This is what makes CT scans for dogs, cats, and other animals so revolutionary.

Why Choose a CT Scan for Pets?

Using a CT scan for pets allows veterinarians to determine the problem and its location. This information helps our team plan out the best approach for your pet. We use our cone-beam CT machine mainly for examining the head, mouth (dental), and limbs in guiding diagnoses. Another type of CT machine that internal medicine specialists have at referral clinics can better evaluate the thorax and abdomen. Some issues our scan of cats or dogs may reveal include:

• Dental disease, tooth decay, trauma, and abscesses in the mouth and surrounding structures.
• Nasal disease in cats and dogs suffering from chronic nasal discharge
• Thorough evaluation of fractured bones in legs
• Tumors, abscesses, or fractures around the eye
• orthopedic abnormalities

Unlike people, pets are unlikely to lie down for the extent of a CT scan. Therefore, pets are anesthetized during the procedure. This means your pet will be given medication to anesthetize and prevent any movement during the CT scan. This ensures they stay completely still, which is necessary for getting clear and accurate images. The anesthesia is administered by a trained technician, and your pet will be closely monitored throughout the procedure to ensure their safety.

Our CT Machine

West Park Animal Hospital is proud to offer the vTRON from Xoran. This state-of-the-art unit lets veterinarians scan and treat a pet in one position. It features a wide mouth, allowing the team to scan multiple parts of your pet’s body. The vTRON is designed with pets and vets in mind, providing beautifully detailed images (when pets are under anesthesia).

Our CT scanner has already enhanced our diagnostic imaging, as the team discovered a mass behind the eye and a brain tumor using vTRON. We can view the images instantly and send them off for a consultation if needed (typical turnaround time is three to five days), so the process goes smoothly.

Advanced Dental Care for Your Pet

The vTRON CT scanner provides a highly detailed view of pets’ teeth, making it an invaluable tool for veterinary dental care. Unlike traditional dental X-rays, the vTRON CT scanner captures comprehensive, three-dimensional images of the entire tooth and surrounding structures.

This level of detail allows veterinarians to accurately diagnose dental issues, plan effective treatments, and perform precise cleanings and extractions. By using our CT scanner, vets can identify hidden problems such as tooth decay, fractures, and periodontal disease, ensuring pets receive the best possible care for their dental health.

Make Your Appointment Today

When a pet is not feeling well or acting abnormally, it can be scary. Those in West Park, North Olmsted, Berea, Rocky River, Lakewood, Fairview Park, Cleveland, and other surrounding areas should turn to the trusted team at the West Park Animal Hospital. Our caring team treats each pet as if they were their own, and we are prepared to talk you through your options, including if we believe our vTRON is the best option.

Not only do we provide CT scans for pets, but we also provide additional veterinary services. If you’re interested in a scan or have any questions for our team, contact us today at West Park Animal Hospital.

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