MRIs can be an invaluable asset to veterinarians, helping to accurately diagnose conditions in dogs. But they come with certain risks.
Veterinarians caution that MRIs should only be recommended after other diagnostic methods have failed, and when their information can help with treating your pet.
Pet insurance policies may help cover some or all costs associated with an MRI scan; however, this doesn’t cover every test available.
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Cost
Cost estimates for dog MRI scans depend on several factors, including type and weight of scan. If you’re concerned about cost estimates for an MRI, local veterinarians may offer estimates.
Ultrasound testing is another popular solution for diagnosing soft tissue problems in dogs, using sound waves to explore inside his/her body and produce live images on a monitor screen. Compared with sedating anesthesia, ultrasound typically provides faster diagnosis with no adverse side effects.
Contrary to ultrasound exams, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) requires anesthesia. Your dog needs to remain still during this procedure in order for its magnets to produce clear images; if they’re nervous or anxious during their session they might not remain still for its entirety.
Anesthesia costs can add several hundred dollars to the overall cost of an MRI for your dog, so if budget constraints prevent you from affording one it might be wiser to look into interest free payment plans as a means of spreading out costs more evenly.
MRIs can be expensive as the equipment needed is highly specialized and expensive to purchase. However, they are extremely useful for diagnosing brain and spinal cord conditions such as tumors, infarcts (lack of blood supply to an area), abscesses inflammation or nerve root impingement.
Average fees for dog MRI exams range between PS1,500 to PS4,000; larger dogs may require special machinery that accommodates their size; this may increase overall costs, so please consult your vet first before booking an MRI appointment.
MRI Machine
MRIs are an invaluable diagnostic tool that vets use to help pinpoint any possible medical problems with your dog, such as spinal cord disorders, herniated discs, brain diseases or injuries. They’re especially beneficial when diagnosing certain conditions like spinal cord disorders, herniated discs or brain diseases/injuries.
Your pet will be comfortably placed on a padded table that slides into a chamber containing an intense magnetic field that will encase his or her entire body, providing an in-depth picture of its inner workings.
Before your pet undergoes an MRI scan, we will conduct a comprehensive physical exam and review any recent bloodwork to ensure they are strong enough. A mild sedative will also be given so they stay still during their scan.
Once anesthetic agents and intravenous fluids have been administered, your dog will be placed on a padded table that slides into the chamber and connected to a special catheter that will carry their medication throughout the procedure.
Once the MRI is finished, we will take steps to remove the catheter and walk your pet out. Before leaving we will also conduct blood pressure and ECG readings to make sure everything goes according to plan.
Undergoing an MRI exam for your pet may be time consuming and tedious, but the benefits make it worth while!
New, high-field MRI systems can be prohibitively expensive. Thankfully, FDA-approved refurbished models that provide similar imaging quality at lower costs may also be FDA approved; some even feature smaller footprints than comparable newer units on the market!
Anesthesia
Anesthesia is a medical treatment that uses drugs to put your pet under anaesthesia during procedures. You can opt for either hospital-grade anesthesia, administered at home by a veterinarian, or home administration by yourself. Your veterinarian will conduct a physical exam on your pet, identify risk factors and discuss any procedures before prescribing anesthesia for your dog.
General anesthesia is necessary for MRI exams as your pet must remain still during the scan. While this may cause some discomfort to them, this also provides your veterinarian with images that allow him or her to detect abnormalities and provide an accurate diagnosis.
If your veterinarian opts to administer general anesthesia during an MRI procedure, they will administer various medications and monitor several vital signs to ensure your pet’s comfort during the procedure. This could include blood pressure monitoring, pulse oximetry testing and temperature tracking as well as warming blankets to avoid hypothermia (low body temperature) during this crucial part of treatment.
Notably, most veterinary hospitals employ experienced anesthesia specialists; however, some practices may rely on only anesthesia-certified technicians for anesthesia provision – this is especially the case for small animal practices without full-time anesthesia specialists on staff.
SEVN technicians are specially trained to administer anesthesia for dogs and are also responsible for patient monitoring during procedures, including pulse oximetry and endotracheal tubes which deliver the anesthetic gas and oxygen directly into your pet’s lungs; blood pressure monitoring; and pulse rate detection.
Anesthesia can be a dangerous procedure for dogs, so it’s essential that owners find an experienced veterinary anesthesiologist board certified by the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiology – often found at private veterinary practices.
Pre-scan tests
An MRI can assist veterinarians in diagnosing various conditions. It provides high-resolution images of soft tissues like brain, spinal cord, tendon and abdominal organs which cannot be captured using traditional X-rays. Furthermore, an MRI may also be used to detect certain cancers or inflammation.
Blood tests should be performed prior to an MRI exam in order to ensure your pet’s wellbeing and ensure an MRI can take place safely and successfully. These exams can assess red and white blood cell counts, electrolyte levels, liver and kidney functions and more.
Once your pet has been safely anesthetized, they will be placed on a comfortable table that slides into a chamber surrounded by a magnetic field to ensure complete stillness during the scan.
Your pet may require not only an MRI but also a CT or PET scan in order for your veterinarian to assess their condition properly. These exams must also be carried out under general anesthesia so they remain completely still throughout.
Once a radiologist interprets your pet’s scan results, they will forward them directly to their veterinarian – this process may take up to several weeks for delivery to them.
Befor the test begins, you’ll be required to sign an agreement form indicating your intent for the scan as well as notify staff if any metals may interfere with it.
Bring along someone to assist with maintaining calm. If you suffer from claustrophobia, they might provide medicine that helps calm you.
Beginning the procedure requires inserting an intravenous line and administering radiotracer injection. It typically takes 30 to 90 minutes for the tracer to travel throughout your body, so drinking plenty of water prior to having the scan may help flush it out faster.
Post-scan care
MRIs are among the most advanced diagnostic tools used in veterinary medicine, offering detailed images of soft tissues like the brain and spinal cord which cannot be seen with traditional imaging tools such as x-rays or CT scans. Thanks to this technology, veterinarians can spot tumors or herniated discs which otherwise wouldn’t have been visible otherwise.
Contrasting with traditional X-rays, which must be conducted from only one position on the body, MRIs offer more versatility when it comes to positioning on different areas. This makes MRIs ideal for assessing lung, heart and other vital organ health in dogs.
Veterinarians use MRI scans to check for conditions that could lead to paralysis in pets, such as herniated discs in the spine. Once detected, these specialists can pinpoint their locations and prescribe an effective course of treatment for each case.
Cost factors associated with dog MRI services depend on several variables, including machine type and number of images required; as well as size/age considerations when scheduling an examination.
Although MRIs aren’t as widely utilized in veterinary medicine as they are in human medicine, they’re still an invaluable way of diagnosing medical ailments and giving an inside glimpse into a dog’s internal workings. Aside from diagnosing issues in the brain or spinal cord, an MRI can also be used to examine tendons, ligaments, and abdominal organs.
The MRI process is extremely safe, with no known side effects from magnetic fields or radio waves. An injection of contrast may be administered to help identify any abnormal structures within your pet’s body; in these instances, their condition will be closely monitored by our team in order to avoid any side effects.