Veterinary Hospital

Radiology

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an appointment for my pet directly with radiology?

Radiology serves patients that have already been admitted through the MSU Animal Health Center. We do not provide primary care.

If I know my pet will be having radiographs or an ultrasound, do I need to do anything special before we come in to the Animal Health Center?

We prefer that your pet does not eat in the morning before coming to radiology.  Please check with your veterinarian to make sure it is safe for your pet to be fasted.

Will having radiographs taken be painful for my pet?

We do everything we can to minimize pain and discomfort while images are being obtained.  Most animals do very well with the mild restraint required.  However, if your pet is painful, has just been injured, or is too stressed, we will request pain medication and/or a sedative to minimize any pain and discomfort.

I know that radiation is used for radiographs.  Is that safe for my pet?

Yes!  The amount of radiation your pet will be exposed to is very low.

My pet is having an ultrasound performed. Why does the fur on the abdomen have to be clipped?

The ultrasound beam does not penetrate fur because of the small amounts of air between the hairs.  Air will significantly degrade the image and will lead to suboptimal study.