X-Rays are a very
useful diagnostic tool.
They let us see into a
patient – not only to
look at their bones,
but also to get a view
of their internal
organs. At Gold Coast
Vet Surgery we have
dedicated x-ray
facilities on site. The
x-ray machine is fully
adjustable enabling us
to take high quality
x-rays on any size pet
from the smallest rat
or bird, to the largest
dog
breeds.
If the vet feels x-rays
are needed for your pet
we will schedule them
to be admitted to
hospital for the day.
Most x-rays are taken
under deep sedation or
general anaesthetic.
This is because the
part of the body being
x-rayed needs to be
perfectly still, and
sometimes the animals
need to be in rather
uncomfortable positions
to take the x-rays.
Also, often patients
needing x-rays may have
very painful problems,
such as a broken bone,
and the kindest way to
handle them, without
hurting them, is to
sedate or anaethetise
them. Often we will
plan to coincide other
procedures that may
also need sedation or
anaesthetic, such as
bandaging an injured
leg or dental
treatment, to be done
at the same time as the
x-rays. This means we
can save your pet being
sedated too often,
which also helps to
save you money. In most
cases the sedation is
fully reversed by an
injection at the end of
the procedure and your
pet will wake up within
minutes and be ready to
walk out the door
within half an hour if
necessary!
Most of our patients
fit on the special lead
lined table but some
are just too large. We
can them move the table
out of the way, lower
the x-ray machine and
take the x-rays right
on the floor without
having to lift the
giant patients!! The
x-rays are immediately
processed in our
specialised dark room,
enabling us to have
results within minutes.
If necessary a digital
copy of the x-rays can
be sent to a specialist
for a second opinion.
This may be a
specialist radiologist,
surgeon or physician,
depending on the
problem.
X-Rays can be a very
useful tool for
establishing precisely
what is wrong with a
pet and are often also
used to follow up and
check on the success of
a procedure such as a
fracture
repair.
Since too many x-rays
can be dangerous, the
vets and nurses taking
the x-rays wear special
lead lined protective
clothing when x-rays
are taken. The
equipment is also
frequently tested and
examined by government
regulators and the
dedicated x-ray area is
specifically certified
for animal x-rays. At
Gold Coast Vet Surgery
we not only value the
health and wellbeing of
your pet, but also the
health and safety of
our wonderful
staff!
Before
After
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