Pet Radiography (X-ray) & Ultrasound

When might my pet need radiography or ultrasound?

Your pet may need diagnostic imaging if we need to investigate pain, injury, illness or changes that cannot be fully assessed during a physical examination.

Radiography or ultrasound may be recommended if your pet has:

• Limping or suspected bone injury
• Pain after a fall, accident or trauma
• Difficulty breathing or coughing
• Vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain
• A swollen or painful abdomen
• Suspected swallowed object
• Urinary problems
• Suspected pregnancy
• Unexplained weight loss
• A lump, mass or internal abnormality
• Ongoing illness that needs further investigation

Imaging helps us look beneath the surface and make more informed decisions about your pet’s care.

Digital radiography (X-ray) for dogs and cats

Digital radiography, commonly known as X-ray, allows us to take clear images of your pet’s bones, joints, chest, abdomen and other internal structures.

Radiography is commonly used to assess:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Joint problems and arthritis
• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Chest and lung disease
• Heart size and chest changes
• Swallowed foreign objects
• Abdominal concerns
• Some bladder stones
• Dental disease and hidden tooth root problems

Digital radiography produces images quickly, which is especially helpful when your pet is in pain, injured or needs urgent assessment.

Radiography for limping, injuries and joint problems

If your dog or cat is limping, sore, reluctant to move, or has had an accident, radiography can help us assess bones and joints more clearly.

It may be used to diagnose fractures, dislocations, arthritis, joint changes, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia or other skeletal problems. For some pets, imaging helps us decide whether rest, medication, further testing, surgery or referral is needed.

For dogs needing official hip or elbow scoring, we can take the required radiographs and submit them for assessment.

Radiography for swallowed objects

If your pet has swallowed something they shouldn’t, radiography may help us identify whether the object is visible, where it is located, and whether there are signs of obstruction.

This is especially important if your pet is vomiting, painful, not eating, bloated, lethargic, or you know they have eaten something unusual.

Some swallowed objects need urgent treatment, endoscopy or surgery. Others may be monitored closely depending on the object and your pet’s symptoms. Our vets will guide you through the safest option.

Ultrasound for dogs and cats

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create real-time images of soft tissues and internal organs.

It is commonly used to assess:

• Liver, kidneys, spleen and bladder
• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Internal fluid or bleeding
• Tumours or masses
• Bladder stones or urinary concerns
• Pregnancy
• Some heart conditions
• Unexplained weight loss or illness

Ultrasound can be especially useful when we need to assess organs, soft tissues or fluid changes that may not be visible on radiographs.

Pregnancy ultrasound

Ultrasound can be used to help confirm pregnancy and assess developing puppies or kittens.

Pregnancy ultrasound may help us:

• Confirm whether your pet is pregnant
• Assess foetal heartbeats
• Check for signs of complications
• Support planning for pregnancy and birth care

If you are planning a litter or have concerns about pregnancy, our vets can advise when ultrasound is most useful and what information it can provide.

Does my pet need sedation for radiography or ultrasound?

Some pets need light sedation for radiography, especially if they are painful, anxious, injured, or need very specific positioning. Sedation helps keep your pet still and comfortable so we can take clear, useful images.

Many ultrasounds can be performed without sedation, although nervous, painful or very unsettled pets may benefit from light calming medication.

Our team will always consider your pet’s comfort, safety and stress levels when planning imaging.

Advanced imaging and specialist support

Most routine radiographs and ultrasounds can be performed at The Village Vet. For complex cases, we may work with veterinary imaging specialists for expert interpretation or recommend referral for advanced imaging such as CT or MRI.

If your pet needs specialist imaging, our team will explain why it is recommended, what it may show, and how it fits into your pet’s overall treatment plan.