| Radiographs
(X-rays)
One
of the most common and useful medical diagnostic procedures
is radiography or x-rays. The greatest benefit of x-rays is
their ability to penetrate tissues and show internal structures.
A skilled veterinarian and veterinary radiologist can determine
many conditions with the use of this relatively simple and
inexpensive diagnostic tool.
At
Harmony we use digital radiology. Digital radiographs don't
use traditional film so that makes them much faster to take
so we are often able to reach a diagnosis in far less time.
This speed difference reduces the number of retakes necessary
to obtain proper diagnostic images thereby providing a superior
as well as safer procedure for all of our patients. They are
also of higher detail and quality and are able to be easily
sent to radiology specialists when a consultation is desired.
X-rays
are most useful for viewing areas of the body that have contrasting
tissue densities and when viewing solid tissues.
 In
the chest, the lungs are primarily filled with air and have
a very soft density, so absorb very few x-rays. The heart
muscle is denser, while the bony ribs are hard and extremely
dense. The heart silhouette is easily seen on an x-ray, and
large blood vessels can be seen within the lungs since the
blood and arterial and venous walls are denser than the surrounding
lungs. If fluid accumulates in the lungs (pulmonary edema),
it is also readily seen.
In
the abdomen, many organs can be distinguished and foreign
bodies or air trapped within the intestines may often be easily
observed. The size and shape of the liver, kidneys and spleen
are often assessed on radiographs. In animals that are extremely
obese or that have very little body fat, it can be more difficult
to distinguish the various internal organs.
The
bones of the spine and limbs are routinely x-rayed and many
bone abnormalities can be readily detected. Joints can be
challenging to analyze due to the similar soft tissue density
of ligaments and tendons. Your veterinarian is most often
looking for cavities or abnormal swelling within a joint or
for abnormal positioning or orientation of bones.
Harmony
Animal Hospital provides radiographs certified by the Orthopedic
Foundation For Animals.
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Ultrasound
 We
often utilize our ultrasound equipment at Harmony
in order to help diagnose certain health issues.
An ultrasound examination, also known as ultrasonography,
is a non-invasive imaging technique that allows
internal body structures to be seen by recording
echoes or reflections of ultrasonic waves and producing
moving images of your pet's internal organs in real-time.
Unlike x-rays, which are potentially dangerous,
ultrasound waves are considered to be safe. Ultrasound
is painless and requires no chemicals, radiation,
or entry into the body. It is safe to use on delicate
tissue like the retina, the spinal cord, and developing
fetuses.
Anesthesia is not usually needed for most ultrasound
examinations, unless biopsies are to be taken. The
technique is totally painless and most pets will
lie comfortably while the scan is being performed.
Occasionally, if the patient is very frightened
or fractious, a sedative may be necessary.
Ultrasound
equipment directs a narrow beam of high frequency
sound waves into the area of interest. The sound
waves may be transmitted through, reflected or absorbed
by the tissues that they encounter. The ultrasound
waves that are reflected will return as "echoes"
to the probe, and are converted into an image that
is displayed on the monitor, giving a 2-dimensional
"picture" of the tissues under examination.
Ultrasound examinations are of little value in examining
organs that contain air. Ultrasound waves will not
pass through air and therefore it cannot be used
to examine normal lungs. Bone also stops ultrasound
waves, so the brain and spinal cord are unable to
be seen with an ultrasound study, and obviously,
bones cannot be examined.
The
technique is invaluable for the examination of internal
organs and was first used in veterinary medicine
for pregnancy diagnosis. However, the technique
is also extremely useful in evaluating heart conditions
and identifying changes in abdominal organs and
for bladder scans. We often use it in guided cystocentesis
in which a small needle is inserted into the bladder
to retrieve a sterile urine sample for further laboratory
testing. Ultrasonography is very useful in the diagnosis
of cysts and tumors.
A specialized kind of ultrasound used to view the
heart is called an echocardiogram. Doppler echocardiography,
a particular kind of echocardiography, uses the
ultrasound to determine the direction and velocity
of blood flow within the cardiovascular system.
These procedures are designed to investigate cardiac
and blood vessel problems like heart murmurs or
congestive heart failure.
Although the initial cost of a scan may seem high,
it has to be equated with the high cost of the equipment,
the fact that specialized training is required in
order to interpret the images, and a significant
amount of time is involved in carrying out the examination.
Its usefulness for pregnancy diagnosis, evaluation
of the internal organs, assessment of heart function,
and evaluation of certain eye diseases, make it
an invaluable, non-invasive diagnostic tool to help
protect to your pet's well-being.
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Dental
Digital Radiology
At
Harmony Animal Hospital, we are able to take complete
digital x-rays of your pet’s mouth. There are
significant reasons why you would want to have good
dental images in order to provide optimal care of your
pet, including:
•
In evaluating an area for root fragments, where teeth
are not clinically apparent
• In determining the cause of chronic nasal discharge
• To properly evaluate tooth vitality
• To determine the number of permanent teeth for
a kitten or puppy before secondary teeth eruption
• For anatomical orientation and documentation
before extraction
• For evaluation after extraction, to confirm
all root fragments were removed
• In doing a treatment planning evaluation, when
periodontal disease is present
• To evaluate feline odontoclastic resorptive
lesions (FORLs)
• To evaluate jaw fractures.
• To evaluate oral and facial swellings |
Endoscopy
 Endoscopy
allows our veterinarians to see an animal’s internal
organs by inserting a long, flexible tube either into the
stomach through the mouth or the colon via the rectum.. The
tip of the tube contains a video chip and a light, and it
captures images and sends them to a video monitor allowing
a close up look of your pet's internal organs. The endoscope
can be inserted through the mouth to look at the upper gastrointestinal
tract (GI endoscopy) or the lungs (brachioscopy), into the
rectum to examine the colon (colonoscopy), into the nose (rhinoscopy),
or into the joints (arthroscopy). This procedure lets veterinarians
see internal tissue and is far less invasive than routine
surgeries. The veterinarian can also insert instruments through
the tube and remove tissue to biopsy for additional diagnostic
information.
Anesthesia
is needed for endoscopic procedures. It is impossible to safely
pass an endoscope into a conscious animal's stomach or colon.
Most pets will require only a short-acting anesthesia and
the patient is allowed to go home shortly after completion
of the procedure.
MedRx
Video VetScope
The VetScope enables us to better examine, diagnose, and treat
diseases of the ear canal, nose, throat, rectum, eye, mouth,
and various other areas, and if needed, take samples for biopsy.
• Your pet's doctor may use the Video Vetscope in
a variety of ways. The MedRx VetScope software allows us
to take digital images and videos during a procedure and
put them into the patient's electronic medical record. Digital
images also make it possible to document the results of
procedures and and how they progress over time. This makes
it easier to track the progress of a patient, and allows
us to share results with clients. The camera may be used
to better diagnose ear infections or blockages, pinpoint
dental or throat conditions or identify rectal or genital/urinary
tract problems that might not otherwise be seen.
• The tapered probe also contains a biopsy channel that
allows for videoscopic and/or laparoscopic procedures such
as tumor or foreign body removal. We can also apply medication
directly at the source of the problem.
 
Images
from the MedRx VetScope System :
Retina Scan (cat); Debris in the ear canal (dog).
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