Cat X-Ray Pictures: Incredible Real Photos

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Cat X-Ray Pictures – X-Ray of Cat

The radiologist found this to be a normal cat chest x-ray, i.e., no scary things. There was a benign or non-pathologic area in the left side of the lung field (atelectasis) and a shifting of the heart that coincided with laying on his left side under anesthesia. Other non-pathologic subtle changes in the chest can probably be attributed to sedation/anesthesia. Overall, good news for this cat’s abdomen x-ray!

I went to my parents’ house last night, picked up Murphy, and said, “Beau, Beau! I saw your insides today!” He purred. And now, a lot more people get to see his insides. I love to see the cat skeleton. I hope you enjoyed seeing them as much as I did.

Feline Radiographs (X-Rays)

Radiographs or X-rays are non-invasive diagnostic imaging procedures that are extremely useful to vets. In addition, it is a painless procedure for pets. In most cases, an X-ray can be performed without sedating the animal (which is an immense benefit for cats suffering from kidney, liver, heart disease, or other medical issues that might make them ineligible for sedation).

X-rays are most commonly used to examine the cat’s skeletal structure.

• Bone Integrity
• Bone Growth
• Thoracic Cavity
• Abdominal Cavity

Radiographs are used to identify:

• Fractures
• Lung Pathology
• Cardiac Pathology
• Presence of Foreign Bodies
• The function of the Digestive Tract
• Other Issues

For instance, if the cat has swallowed a toy or any object, an X-ray can provide immediate information about where it is in the digestive tract. Hence, the vet knows where to intervene.

In the event of trauma (accidents, falls), X-ray images can quickly provide information about fractures and even tears or lesions of the internal organs – spleen, liver, kidneys, or other structures such as the diaphragm, which separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. This diagnostic imaging can also determine the presence of liquids in the abdominal or thoracic cavity.

Veterinary dentists use dental radiographs to examine the cat’s teeth and gum line. The dentist can spot structural anomalies, fractures, and infections in the cat’s teeth. 

When Do You Use Cat Diagnostic Imaging?

Diagnostic imaging is used when veterinarians need to gain visibility into the state of the cat’s internal structures – bones, blood vessels, nervous structures, and internal organs.

While exploratory surgery is the most precise way to examine a cat’s internal organs, it is highly invasive. So instead, the doctor can use diagnostic imaging – X-rays, ultrasounds, CTs, and MRIs, which are entirely non-invasive. This is used in the diagnostic process.

Based on the information provided by diagnostic imaging, the vet’s examination, and, if needed, blood and urine testing, the cat receives a diagnosis and a treatment plan.

In some cases, such as fractures, the X-rays are enough for the vet to make an accurate diagnosis. Following treatment, which usually entails orthopedic surgery, X-rays are then used to re-examine how the fracture has been resolved.

The Four Types of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging.

There are four types of diagnostic imaging used in veterinary medicine:

• X-Rays
• Ultrasounds
• MRIs
• CT scans

1. X-rays and ultrasounds are the most commonly used types, which are non-invasive, inexpensive, and do not require sedation (at least in most cases).
2. MRIs and CT scans are less used because they require the cat to be sedated and because they are significantly more expensive.

Old cats, those suffering from lung, heart, liver, and kidney disease, cannot be placed under general anesthesia, which makes them ineligible for MRIs and CTs.

X-Rays for Cats

During the radiographic procedure, X-ray machines pass X-ray beams through the body. The X-rays are either absorbed or scattered by the various internal structures of the cat’s body, thus creating an X-ray pattern sent to a detector, which then records it in image format. The image, or radiograph, is then used in the examination.

The image is generated and recorded to provide information about the internal structure of the cat’s body. It is used to assess structural damage or anomaly and the presence or absence of foreign bodies or diseases.

Ultrasounds for Cats

Sonography or diagnostic medical sonography, commonly known as an ultrasound, is an imaging method that relies on high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures in the cat’s body. It is performed using an ultrasound device placed outside the body in the area that needs to be examined.

Ultrasounds are most commonly used to examine the organs in the abdominal and pelvic cavity. Still, they are also useful for examining the organs in the thoracic cavity (especially the heart – examined in echocardiogram).

Ultrasound images are used to diagnose bladder stones, tumors in the abdominal organs, intestinal obstructions, and many more soft tissue issues. 

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) for Cats

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), also known as tomography, is a complex diagnostic imaging procedure that leverages a powerful magnetic field to produce very detailed images of the cat’s body. The cat must be sedated for this procedure because it needs to sit perfectly still during it. After it has been sedated, the cat is carefully placed and immobilized in the electromagnetic chamber, where its body will be pulsed with radio waves. MRIs usually take 10-20 minutes. The images generated are significantly more precise than X-rays and provide more information about the examined structures.

CT Scans for Cats

CT scans or cat scans are computer-enhanced X-ray procedures used to evaluate structures in great detail. However, like MRIs, CTs require the cat to sit perfectly still during the procedure, which takes several minutes. This means that cats have to be sedated for this procedure.

The cat is placed on a motorized bed that goes inside the CT scanner, which takes a very high number of X-rays from various angles of the examined portion of the body.

A computer then uses these images to generate cross-sectional images of the examined area. CTs provide more accurate information than X-rays but are less accurate than MRIs as they do not compare the changes in fluid levels caused by inflammation or bleeding. 

CTs are commonly used to diagnose fractures, tumors, foreign bodies, and deep lesions.

FAQs

If you still have questions about diagnostic imaging for cats, then take a look as we go through the most commonly asked questions.