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Computed Tomography (CT)

Here at Packerland we are always looking for ways to improve our ability to care for the patients that visit us. It is important that we are able to provide as seamless of an experience as possible for the families that entrust us to care for their furry loved ones. This is why we have added Computed Tomography (CT) technology to our diagnostics services.

A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce 3d images of the inside of the body. It shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, organs and blood vessels. We can use it to pinpoint anything from orthopedic disease to cancerous processes and many things in between!

Click for more information about our state of the art CT scanner.

FAQs about CT

Does my pet have to be sedated for the procedure?
Animals are not generally cooperative when you ask them to stay perfectly still, so they will undergo full anesthesia to complete the scan. Just like any other procedure, they will have pre-anesthetic labwork, individualized and up-to-date anesthetic protocols and constant monitoring to ensure the highest level of safety throughout. Your pet will need to be monitored as they recover afterwards, so you should typically plan for them to stay until well into the afternoon when they can be safely discharged.

How long does the scan take?
A scan itself takes only about 45 seconds. The entire procedure doesn’t take long, but is also very dependent on size of patient and what we are looking for. Multiple scans may be needed which would also result in additional anesthetic time to ensure optimal positioning prior to exposure.

Will my pet have the CT scan the same day as our appointment?
Oftentimes we will start with a consult visit to examine, review history and determine if CT is appropriate and what else, if anything, might also be necessary. If there is a possible expectation of surgery we may even want to schedule CT on a day where the anesthetic procedures could be combined and we could potentially proceed right into surgery if needed.

Will I get results same-day?
While at times the findings may be obvious, to provide the highest quality medicine we do send out our scans to a radiologist for a full review to make sure that nothing is missed. This review is typically complete within a few business days. At that point we will call to discuss and/or schedule an appointment to go over results more in depth.

How much will it cost?
It is difficult to give an estimate without knowing more about the nuances of what each pet needs. We cater our anesthetic protocols and medications to each individual patient and costs may vary. Additionally, different scans may require contrast to highlight various pathology and it may be difficult for our staff to be able to anticipate these needs ahead of time. A detailed estimate will be provided at the time of your consult appointment.