Bringing Clarity to Pet Care: Maryland's Top Veterinary Imaging

At Veterinary Neurology and Imaging of the Chesapeake (VNIoC)  we bring clarity to pet care through our focus on Radiography (X-Ray), Computed Tomography (CT), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Through these modalities we are able to offer a window into the unseen, ensuring top-tier diagnostics and care. 

An important part of any neurology practice is the ability to quickly and easily access advanced veterinary imaging modalities to help identify and diagnose problems. MRI, CT, and X-rays are excellent veterinary imaging tools, but each has its own diagnostic strengths and drawbacks.

For instance:

• Radiography does an excellent job at evaluating anatomic regions of stark contrast and density (like bones and air), but it can be limited when evaluating other areas like soft tissues where the density differences are more subtle. Overlying structures can also obscure areas of interest.  The nervous system in particular is made up of soft tissues that do not offer enough contrast to show up on X-ray imaging.

• A CT scan uses a series of X-rays taken as several “slices” to create detailed pictures of organs, bones, and other tissues. The data collected can be assembled to form three-dimensional (3D) images. These images reveal abnormalities in both bone and soft tissues, such as pneumonia in the lungs, tumors in different organs, or bone fractures. The 3D format allows us to see “inside” the body - for instance to evaluate the liver or stomach within the abdomen.

• Although CT is a bit better at looking at soft tissues, it still falls short when looking at the type of soft tissue that makes up the nervous system. Since the central nervous system (CNS) is essentially encased in bone (skull and spinal canal), the bones tend to obscure key CNS detail. In addition, radiographic technique does not capture the detail needed for diagnosing many veterinary neurologic conditions.

• A pitfall of CT (and radiography, though to a lesser extent) is that CT can produce 10-70 times more radiation than from an X-ray (which also produces radiation). While this veterinary imaging modality is safe for patients in small, short doses, it can have additive effects if a patient needs multiple scans over their lifetime.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the gold standard veterinary imaging modality to evaluate soft tissues, and more specifically the CNS, in detail.

• When you arrive at our facility, you will be greeted by our friendly patient care coordinators who will check your pet in and ensure all paperwork is in order.

• Your pet will then be escorted to our ICU area where they will be prepared for anesthesia.  This includes placing an IV catheter and running bloodwork, and in some cases taking X-rays of the chest.  Our anesthesia protocols also include pre-procedure anti-nausea medications to help your pet have a smoother post-anesthetic recovery.

• When it is your pet’s turn for imaging, your pet will be sedated and taken to the MRI or CT area for their scan.  They will be hooked up to anesthetic monitoring equipment so that we can monitor your pet’s vitals during the imaging procedure.  Your pet may also receive intravenous fluids during their scan.

• For MRI, typical scanning times range from 30-60 minutes depending on what we are imaging and the size of the patient.  CT scans are much faster and typically only require about 15 minutes of anesthesia time.

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