RadiographyWe use radiographic techniques to view internal anatomy. By careful use of this form of energy (X-rays) from specialised equipment and following a complex protocol of development we can see a black - grey - white image of the animal. We use radiographs to make a diagnosis, to locate foreign bodies, to identify tumours and to check and measure anatomy and many other uses.
 Other forms of diagnostic imaging include:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and
Computer Tomography (CT scan)
These use different forms of energy to X-rays and require very specialised and expensive equipment. Veterinary schools and specialist referral centres such as our own Stone Lion Veterinary Centre have access to them.
  UltrasonographyThis is another diagnostic imaging method - this time using sound waves to draw images.
This technique is mostly used on soft tissue such as heart (echocardiograph) and abdominal organs. It can also be useful when examining pregnant animals (as in humans) and is used to measure anatomy and identify organs and abnormalities.
EndoscopyThis piece of equipment is commonly used to examine the internal surfaces of the tubes of the body that have openings to the outside (respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract) or less commonly in small animal practice as an athroscope, surgically inserted through tiny slits into joints (common procedure in horses).
An endoscope is a long tube, usually over 1metre long for use in the gut and about 30cm long for the respiratory tract.
 It contains a number of inner tubes:
Two light sources
One camera
An air / water port
A channel for passing down specialised instruments
It is a very specialised piece of equipment - the light sources are bundles of incredibly fine glass fibre - finer than a human hair.
These are arranged in tight bundles in a special order from the top to the bottom of the scope to present a clear picture to the viewer at the eye-piece.
Its use requires special techniques and skill and it can be used to view anatomy, collect samples of tissue or fluids and to retrieve small foreign bodies.
Blood analysis  Blood sample analysis can be used to gain all kinds of information about pets - sometimes to confirm suspicions raised from the animal's symptoms or to confirm a diagnosis but sometimes a blood analysis can illuminate imbalances before any signs are evident from the animal.
Blood is usually collected from a vein, often the foreleg vein (cephalic), or from the neck (jugular), depending on the amount of blood needed. Sterile needles and syringes will be used and the area is usually clipped first and then cleaned with a surgical preparation.
Different sample pots are used depending on the analysis to be performed and the anticoagulant (this stops the blood sample clotting) required, if any.
Virtually every body function, organs (liver, kidney, gut), hormone and immune system can be tested in some way. There are broad tests that cover a number of body systems which are useful when a number of options are being considered; this is often part of a basic work-up of a case and will be called a blood profile. There are defined specialised tests that give a definitive answer to specific tests e.g. thyroid or adrenal gland function.
 Blood analysis is a very important tool towards gaining a diagnosis as a lot of symptoms are shared amongst a number of conditions.
 Pre-anaesthetic blood sampling is recommended in an animal that is approaching old age or that is elderly and needs some kind of procedure, especially if that procedure involves a general anaesthetic.
This test gives important information on the state of the vital organs and the general state of health of the animal. Because the animal has an ability to compensate for illness or disease and therefore hides the signs these tests allow you and the vet, caring for the animal, to be fully aware of the animal's state and to make judgements accordingly.
Remember the liver and kidneys have an ability to work normally even when up to 60% of its tissue is damaged or diseased. The presence of this disease would have a big impact on the types of procedure and anaesthetic drugs that would be used. The extent of this damage will can only be displayed in the appropriate blood tests.
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