Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are both crucial diagnostic tools that allow a vet neurologist and the team at BrightCare to get a better look at your pet and determine what treatment works best.
As a service to referring veterinarians and their clients, BrightCare Animal Neurology and Imaging offers high-quality on-site CT and MR imaging to the referring veterinarians and their clients. This service is only offered for stable patients on weekdays (from 9 am to 5 pm) and on an outpatient basis. Emergencies, critically ill, or unstable patients should come through our emergency department (Animal ER).
All patients that require neurological imaging (brain and spinal cord) need a consultation with the vet neurologist first prior to advanced imaging.
Referring the patient
The primary care veterinarian refers the client and pet to the BrightCare Animal Neurology and Imaging by submitting the Non-Neurologic Advanced Imaging Referral Form online or via fax to us. CBC & Chemistry Panel results (performed within the last 14 days) should be faxed to us prior to the appointment. The referring veterinarian will decide which type of non-neurological imaging is appropriate, CT vs. MRI. CT is generally better in evaluating bone or calcified tissues, while MRI is usually better in evaluating soft tissues. If you have any questions or need assistance with the decision-making, feel free to contact us and discuss it with Dr. Gorgi.
Scheduling the appointment
We invite all pet parents to contact us and schedule an appointment. Before coming here, try to withhold any food or water from your pet for a full 12 hours prior to the appointment. We recommend this to prevent any complications with the anesthetic procedure that result in cases of nausea, vomiting, or aspiration of food. Certainly, you can continue to provide them with very small amounts of water to avoid dehydration.
Additionally, if your pet is diabetic, you should consult with your pets’ veterinarian about proper dieting and feeding patterns prior to their appointment with us. Last, but not least, your main veterinarian should provide you with instructions regarding your pets’ medications and how you should go about administering them or halting them entirely.
Procedure
The patient will receive a physical exam on admission, and one of our doctors will oversee their care while hospitalized and undergoing anesthesia for CT or MRI. Specially trained CT and MRI technologists and veterinary technicians with experience in anesthesia and recovery will assist the lead specialist. Clients are welcome to wait at our facility; however, the pet’s stay will be approximately 4 hours or longer, so pet parents might prefer to make plans and return later. Although the CT or MRI study will take only 15-60 minutes, general anesthesia is required in order to prevent movement during the scan, so their recovery will also take a bit longer. In the meantime, we will carefully observe your pet in the hospital until they fully recover from the effects of anesthesia.
Results
The doctors at the BrightCare Animal Neurology and Imaging do not interpret the results of non-neurological studies. Instead, we send the digital images of the study to a board-certified radiologist for interpretation. We will then send you the results of the study via email or fax through the referring veterinarian within 1 business day. The imaging study will also be available on a CD to the referring veterinarian via the owner or seen online.
