Veterinary Radiology at Upstate Veterinary Specialties

Veterinary Radiology is the study and interpretation of high-quality images from multiple modalities, including radiographs, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. These imaging modalities allow us to obtain an internal view of our patients using equipment and instruments that are commonly used in human medicine, which have been adapted for veterinary use.

What to Expect:

The radiology team at UVS operates behind the scenes, supporting our specialty and emergency services by generating and interpreting requested imaging. When combined with the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, imaging enables our radiology team to localize abnormalities and assist our medical team in forming treatment plans. While these modalities are non-invasive, depending on the requested imaging, patients may need sedation or general anesthesia to undergo specific procedures. For abdominal ultrasonography, the patient’s abdomen will be shaved to obtain the best imaging results.

Radiology Services and Procedures:

Our radiology department currently utilizes the following modalities to obtain diagnostic images:

Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive modality that can generate images of soft tissues, organs, and blood flow. It is most commonly used to assess abdominal organs, identify abnormalities, and guide procedures such as biopsies.
Radiographs
Radiography is the most commonly used imaging modality in veterinary practices. The x-ray images (radiographs) are produced using the same processes as in human medicine, except that the equipment is sized for use with dogs, cats, and other small animals. Radiographs are frequently used to capture images of bones, foreign objects, and large body areas, such as the chest and abdomen.
CT
CT is a modality that uses a combination of X-rays and computer programming to capture detailed images of the body, including bones, muscles, organs, and blood vessels. CT imaging is produced using the same processes as in human medicine, but with modified software for veterinary patients. Our veterinary teams can utilize these scans to detect abnormalities deep within the body.

Additionally, our specialty services—most commonly Internal Medicine, Neurology, Cardiology, and Surgery—use MRI, fluoroscopy, and contrast studies as diagnostic tools.

Partnerships with Board-Certified Veterinary Radiologists:

UVS partners with board-certified radiologists for diagnostic imaging interpretation, including Dr. Kristina Wilson of Capital Region Veterinary Imaging and Dr. Layla Shaikh of Insight Veterinary Imaging and Consulting.

Ultrasonography
Ultrasound exams are comprehensive and performed by a licensed veterinary technician with over 15 years of experience in ultrasound. Our off-site veterinary radiology services provide real-time ultrasound interpretation by board-certified radiologists. The findings are communicated directly to the attending specialist, along with a written report sent to the patient’s primary care veterinarian, assisting in guiding treatment decisions.

Radiography
Radiography is performed at UVS by our trained medical staff. UVS utilizes Digital Radiography, allowing us to safely store and quickly send images to our off-site veterinary radiology service for interpretation, as needed.

Computed Tomography (CT)
Our CT scans are performed by trained medical staff and interpreted through our off-site veterinary radiology service by board-certified radiologists.