Studies most often submitted
- Thoracic radiographs for dyspnea, asthma, cardiac disease and pleural effusion.
- Abdominal radiographs and Ultrasound for weight loss, chronic vomiting, intestinal disease and urinary obstruction.
- Ultrasound for hepatic, renal, pancreatic and lymph node assessment.
- CT for nasal disease, skull and dental-adjacent questions, and thoracic staging.
- MR for intracranial and spinal presentations.
Preparing the study
- Keep exposure and collimation tight; feline thoracic detail is lost quickly to overexposure.
- Minimize motion. Note stress, dyspnea or handling limits in the history rather than leaving them unexplained.
- Submit original DICOM files with clear left and right markers.
- State the question you want answered, not only the presenting complaint.
Standard, STAT or Wet Read
STAT x-ray and fluoroscopy studies are returned in 1 hour. STAT CT, Ultrasound and MR studies are returned within 4 hours. Standard studies are returned within 24 hours. Wet Read is the fastest option, read while you wait.
The priority is chosen case by case at submission. Reports place the prioritized diagnoses and recommendations first, followed by the comprehensive findings, and every case carries Real-Time Chat so a question reaches the reading radiologist in seconds. More detail is in the guide to choosing a priority.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a usable thoracic study on a dyspneic cat?
Stabilize first, then take what the patient tolerates and say so in the history. A single well-exposed view with context is more useful than three rushed, motion-blurred projections. The radiologist reports what the study supports and states clearly what could not be assessed.
Is Ultrasound or radiography the better first step in feline abdominal disease?
Radiographs give organ size, position and gas patterns and screen for obstruction. Ultrasound resolves parenchymal detail and wall layering. Many feline abdominal cases benefit from both, and the report will state where one modality reached its limit.
Are feline studies read by the same board-certified radiologists?
Yes. Every case, whatever the species or priority, is read by an ACVR- or ECVDI-certified radiologist.
Can a feline case be submitted as a Wet Read?
Yes. Wet Read is available at submission alongside Standard and STAT. It is the fastest option, read while you wait, with the radiologist answering the specific questions you submit.