Diagnostic Imaging for Dogs and Cats

At Yarra Ranges Animal Hospital, we have a range of advanced diagnostic imaging equipment available at our Lilydale hospital to help investigate illness, injury and other health concerns in dogs and cats.

Our diagnostic imaging facilities include digital X-ray, ultrasound, echocardiography, video endoscopy, and access to mobile CT imaging, allowing our veterinarians to investigate a wide range of medical and surgical conditions and, in many cases, obtain important diagnostic information locally.

Digital Radiography (X-rays)

Digital radiography provides high-quality X-ray images within seconds and is an important diagnostic tool for investigating a wide range of conditions in dogs and cats.

X-rays are commonly used to assess bones and joints, including fractures, arthritis, joint disease, orthopaedic conditions and cruciate ligament injuries. They are also valuable for examining the chest and abdomen, helping us investigate conditions involving the heart and lungs, gastrointestinal foreign bodies, bladder stones and other abnormalities.

Our veterinarians also use radiographs when planning certain orthopaedic procedures and assessing patients following surgery.

Yarra Ranges Animal Hospital can perform hip and elbow radiographs for breeding and screening purposes, and Dr Ben Fell is a certified member of the PennHIP Referral Network.

We can also perform pregnancy radiographs later in gestation when appropriate to help determine the number of puppies or kittens expected.

Ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging technique that allows us to examine your pet’s internal organs and soft tissues in real time. At Yarra Ranges Animal Hospital, we use ultrasound for a range of diagnostic purposes in dogs and cats, from rapid emergency assessment through to more detailed abdominal and cardiac investigations.

Point-of-care and emergency ultrasound can be used when a pet is acutely unwell to rapidly assess for abnormalities such as internal bleeding or fluid within the chest or abdomen, helping our veterinarians make important treatment decisions.

Abdominal ultrasound allows us to assess organs including the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, bladder, spleen, gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. It can be particularly useful when investigating problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss, changes in appetite, urinary abnormalities or abnormal blood test results.

Pregnancy Ultrasound for dogs and cats for pregnancy diagnosis

Thoracic (chest) ultrasound can assist in investigating abnormalities within the chest, particularly where fluid, masses or changes involving the lungs or structures surrounding the heart are suspected.

Cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) is available for selected dogs and cats at our Lilydale hospital. An echocardiogram allows us to assess the structure and function of the heart and can form part of the investigation and staging of heart murmurs and heart disease in dogs and cats.

Our echocardiography service is performed by our general practice veterinarians and is not a specialist cardiology service. Where more complex cardiac investigation or specialist assessment is indicated, we can recommend referral to a veterinary cardiologist.

Video Endoscopy

Our Lilydale hospital is equipped with digital video endoscopy, allowing our veterinarians to directly examine areas of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts using a small camera.

Endoscopy can be useful when investigating conditions affecting the oesophagus, stomach, airways and nasal passages, and may allow us to obtain biopsies or samples without the need for more invasive surgery.

Depending on the individual case, endoscopy may be used for procedures including:

• Investigation and removal of some oesophageal foreign bodies
• Examination of the oesophagus and stomach
• Gastrointestinal biopsies
• Rhinoscopy to investigate nasal disease
• Tracheoscopy and assessment of airway disease
• Collection of respiratory samples for further testing

Our veterinarians will discuss whether endoscopy is appropriate for your pet based on their symptoms and the condition being investigated.