Dog - Radiography - X-Ray Examination
There are few of us today unaware of the advantages of x-rays (radiographs). However radiography in the dog tends to be a little more complicated in that you mostly are unable to tell your patient to lie still, turn this way, turn that way, hold your breath etc. Therefore either heavy sedation or a general anaesthetic is usually mandatory. Also, since irresponsibly used x-rays can carry some hazard there are strict health and safety regulations regarding their use. One specific requirement of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is that the patient must be adequately restrained and not hand-held and again general anaesthesia is a useful means of ensuring this restraint.
Therefore radiographic examination in the dog usually involves an anaesthetic fee. In addition more than one view (eg one from the top looking down and one from the side at least) is necessary in order to arrive at a diagnosis and several plates may have to be taken.
Finally, the radiographs have to be interpreted and sometimes a specialist veterinary radiologist has to be consulted for this purpose.
All in all therefore the procedure is likely to be more expensive than, say an ECG examination. Your veterinary surgeon will be more than happy to discuss procedures and costs with you.
© Copyright 2025 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license. This content written by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.) is licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeLearn. This content does not contain all available information for any referenced medications and has not been reviewed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, or Health Canada Veterinary Drugs Directorate. This content may help answer commonly asked questions, but is not a substitute for medical advice, or a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by a veterinarian. Please contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health. Created on Jun 24, 2008.