Diagnostic Imaging

We use a variety of machines to help us diagnose and treat illnesses in animal. These include an X-ray machine, and ultrasound machine, and an endoscope. We keep these items together in a special room where we have everything we need close at hand.

We recently upgraded our X-ray machine. This machine only does part of what is needed to produce X-rays though. The X-rays are on film, like the film in a camera, so they have to be developed before we can see them. This is done in our darkroom which is right next door.

We have an ultrasound machine that helps us to look inside animals. While X-rays are very good at looking at bones ultrasound is much better at looking at different tissues, especially the heart, and in the abdomen. The special black cushion you see, is used to help us take heart ultrasounds, because we have to look from underneath the patient!

The endoscope allows us to look into places with a camera, such as the stomach. We can even take tissue samples or remove foreign objects using special forceps.