When your pet is unwell, getting to the bottom of what is causing the problem is an important first step.
In many cases, a physical examination, blood tests, X-rays or an ultrasound will give us the information we need. Sometimes, however, we need a more detailed view of what’s happening inside the body.
That is where a CT scan can be incredibly useful.
At St Kitts, our Basingstoke practice is the only first opinion veterinary practice in the area with in-house CT scanning. Having this advanced technology available within our own practice means we can investigate certain conditions in much greater detail, helping us reach a diagnosis and make informed decisions about the next steps for your pet.
What is a veterinary CT scan?
CT stands for Computed Tomography. A CT scanner uses X-rays taken from lots of different angles to create highly detailed images of the inside of your pet’s body.
Unlike a standard X-ray, which produces a flat, two-dimensional image, a CT scan creates cross-sectional images. This gives us a much clearer view of areas such as bones, joints, the chest, spine, head and internal organs.
For certain conditions, this extra level of detail can make a real difference when we are trying to understand exactly what is going on.
When might we recommend a CT scan?
We may recommend a CT scan when we need more information than we can get from an examination or other types of diagnostic imaging.
CT scans can be particularly helpful when investigating:
- Tumours or unusual growths
- Complex fractures
- Head or spinal injuries
- Respiratory conditions
- Problems affecting internal organs
- Abscesses
- Certain circulatory problems
- Orthopaedic conditions
It does not necessarily mean that your pet has a serious condition. Sometimes we simply need a clearer picture before we can confidently decide on the best next step.
We will always talk you through why we are recommending a CT scan and what we hope to learn from it.
Why might my pet need a CT scan instead of an X-ray?
X-rays are an extremely useful diagnostic tool and are often one of the first forms of imaging we use. All our St Kitts practices have access to digital radiography, which allows us to quickly produce clear images of areas such as bones, joints and the chest. However, there are times when an X-ray cannot show us enough detail.
Because a CT scan takes images from multiple angles, it can help us look more closely at complex areas where bones, tissues and organs overlap.
For example, we might recommend a CT scan if we are investigating a complicated fracture, looking at an area inside the skull or chest or trying to understand the exact size and location of a growth.
What about ultrasound?
Ultrasound is another type of diagnostic imaging we regularly use at St Kitts. It uses sound waves rather than X-rays and is particularly useful for looking at soft tissues and internal organs. It can also be used for examinations such as heart scans and pregnancy scans.
CT, X-ray and ultrasound all give us different types of information. The right option will depend on your pet’s symptoms and the area of the body we need to investigate. In some cases, we may use more than one type of imaging to build up a clearer picture.
Will my pet need an anaesthetic for a CT scan?
In most cases, yes. Your pet needs to stay completely still while the CT images are being taken, so we will usually use sedation or a general anaesthetic.
We know that the thought of your pet having an anaesthetic can be worrying, which is why we will always explain the process beforehand and answer any questions you may have.
Your pet will be carefully monitored by our veterinary team throughout the procedure and during their recovery afterwards.
What happens during a CT scan?
Once your pet is safely sedated or anaesthetised, they will be positioned on the CT scanner. The table moves your pet through the circular part of the scanner while X-ray images are taken from different angles around the body.
The scan itself is usually very quick, although your pet will be with us for longer to allow time for preparation, monitoring and recovery.
Once the images have been produced, we can examine the area in much greater detail.
What happens after the scan?
The information from a CT scan can help us understand what is causing your pet’s symptoms and decide what should happen next.
Depending on the reason for the scan, it may help us:
- Confirm or rule out a suspected condition
- See the location or extent of an injury
- Investigate an abnormal growth
- Plan surgery
- Decide whether further tests are needed
- Choose the most appropriate treatment
We will explain the findings to you clearly and talk through any recommended next steps.
Advanced diagnostic imaging at St Kitts Vets
Having access to different types of diagnostic imaging means we can choose the most suitable approach for each individual pet.
Alongside digital X-rays and ultrasound, our Basingstoke practice has its own CT scanner and is the only first opinion vet in the area to offer in-house CT scanning. This gives our team access to advanced imaging when a more detailed investigation is needed, without having to refer every case elsewhere for a CT scan.
Our four practices work closely together, so if your pet is seen at Hartley Wintney, Crookham Park or Firgrove and we feel a CT scan would be helpful, we can arrange this.
We also accept CT referrals from other veterinary practices.
Does my pet need a CT scan?
Every pet is different, so there’s no single symptom that automatically means a CT scan is needed. It is simply one of the advanced diagnostic tools available to us when we need a more detailed view of what is happening inside the body.
If your pet has ongoing symptoms, an injury or a health problem that needs further investigation, please speak to our team. We can assess them and advise whether an X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan or another diagnostic test is the most appropriate next step.
To find out more about our CT scanning and diagnostic imaging services, or to speak to us about your pet, please contact your local St Kitts practice:
St Kitts Vets Hartley Wintney: 01252 844044
St Kitts Vets Basingstoke: 01256 844944
Crookham Park Veterinary Centre: 01252 913990
Firgrove Veterinary Centre: 01252 877799
