Why are pet xrays sometimes required?
If your pet has suffered an injury to a bone or has swallowed a toy or other foreign body, an x-ray can help diagnose the issue. X-rays are commonly used by doctors and vets to gain a better idea of what is happening inside the body, such as with the lungs or bones.
X-rays work by a machine emitting radiation rays through the body. The machine creates an image of internal structures within the body which the vet can then analyse. As x-ray exposure is extremely short, they do not pose significant harm to you or your pet if carried out infrequently.
An x-ray may be carried out instead of or in addition to an ultrasound, depending on the possible issue with your pet. For example, x-rays are often used for looking at the lungs and hard structures such as the bones. An ultrasound may be more appropriate if the issue mainly concerns soft tissue.
X-rays can be used for diagnosing a range of issues in your pet, such as:
Depending on the type of issue, your pet may require sedation or anaesthetic before the x-ray is carried out, particularly if your pet is very young or nervous.
