If your pet has received any type of imaging, it’s likely a board-certified veterinary radiologist was behind the scenes reviewing those results. They are the ones helping your family veterinarian, emergency veterinarian, or specialty veterinarian piece together your pet’s diagnosis.
So, what exactly does a veterinary radiologist do? In this blog, we’ll explore the field of veterinary radiology, breaking down the role of a veterinary radiologist to help pet parents better understand the imaging process and why veterinary radiologists are essential to your pet’s care.
What is a Veterinary Radiologist?
A veterinary radiologist is a board-certified specialist who has completed extensive training and testing in diagnostic imaging. This includes:
- 3-4 years of undergraduate studies
- 4 years of veterinary school
- An internship
- 3-4 years of residency
Veterinary radiologists are experts in evaluating diagnostic imaging studies which includes x-rays, fluoroscopy (a moving x-ray), ultrasound, CT, and MRI. They provide other veterinarians with comprehensive results and imaging reports.
Image Interpretation and Guiding Treatment Plans
Veterinary radiologists interpret imaging studies which can provide details on hidden health problems that may not show up on a physical exam or bloodwork. They can also provide more detailed information on suspected diseases.
Example:
Vomiting in a pet can have a large variety of potential causes. An x-ray or ultrasound study often provides a detailed diagnosis or narrows the list of potential causes.
Most ultrasound studies are performed by the radiologist, allowing a thorough evaluation and immediate interpretation. Imaging studies often uncover diseases including bone fractures, pneumonia, intestinal blockages, tumors, infections, and ageing changes.
Advocating for Pet & Staff Safety
In addition to interpreting results, veterinary radiologists are there to ensure imaging procedures are safe for both pets and the veterinary team assisting the pet. This includes:
- Using the lowest radiation dosages possible to obtain good images for x-ray and CT
- Good positioning of images to help reach a diagnosis with less exposure attempts
- Staying up-to-date on the newest imaging equipment and techniques
- Working with the pet’s primary veterinarian or specialist to determine safe sedation and anesthesia protocols when necessary
Image Guided Biopsies
Veterinary radiologists are also skilled in acquiring either ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirates (aspiration of a nodule, tumor, or organ with a thin needle), or larger tissue biopsies when indicated such as a tru-cut biopsy which is a larger core biopsy. For most cases, the radiologist can perform these aspirates/biopsies at the time of the imaging study (often after ultrasounds, CT, or MRI studies) with sedation or under the same general anesthesia episode as the imaging study.
Part of Your Pet’s Healthcare Team
A veterinary radiologist works closely with other veterinarians to discuss challenging cases, findings, and treatment plans. They also perform recheck studies to determine if a pet’s treatments have been effective. By working together as a team, veterinary professionals strive to provide the highest standard of care and improve outcomes for many types of healthcare problems.
The next time your pet needs advanced diagnostics or imaging, you can trust the expertise of a veterinary radiologist to provide comprehensive assessment and compassionate care. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s imaging needs, you can consult with your family veterinarian.
Learn more about Imaging options at Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota here.
More Reading:
- Five Veterinary Radiology Imaging Options for Pets
- 5 Common Conditions Found on a Pet’s Abdominal Ultrasound
- The Benefits and Limits of X-rays for Pets
- Navigating Your Pet’s Anesthesia
