Departments

CT-Scan FAQ

What happens during a CT scan?

If your pet is an in-house patient of CARE Center, then this description applies to you. If your pet was referred for an outpatient CT scan, see the next question. The in-house patient is prepared for the CT scan by fasting for 6-12 hours prior to the test. The patient is then anesthetized for the short (5-30 minute) procedure. Keeping the patient absolutely still is essential to getting a good image. Anesthesia is prescribed, administered and monitored by our experienced veterinarians and nurses. Once asleep, your pet will be positioned on the bed of the scanner in the appropriate posture. The scan is quick, painless, and completely non-invasive. Once the test is completed, your pet will be returned to the ICU to be recovered from anesthesia under the supervision of the ICU nursing staff.

The results of the CT scan will be reviewed by the prescribing veterinarian, but in most cases will also be sent out to be read by a board-certified veterinary Radiologist. Results are usually returned within 48 hours, often within 24.

What happens during a referral (outpatient) CT scan?

If your family veterinarian has referred you to CARE Center for a CT scan, you can call our office (513-530-0911, home link) at any time to schedule this procedure. You will be instructed to fast your pet for at least 8 hours before the procedure to allow for safe anesthesia. When arriving for your CT appointment, we recommend that you come a few minutes early in order to process your registration information in a timely fashion. (you can fill out this information prior to arrival by going here) Your pet will then by escorted by our nursing staff to the ICU, where one of our emergency doctors will do a physical exam to ensure that anesthesia can be performed safely. That veterinarian will then oversee anesthesia for your pet.

The patient is then anesthetized for the short (5-30 minute) procedure. Keeping the patient absolutely still is essential to getting a good image. Anesthesia is prescribed, administered and monitored by our experienced veterinarians and nurses. Once asleep, your pet will be positioned on the bed of the scanner in the appropriate posture. The scan is quick, painless, and completely non-invasive. Once the test is completed, your pet will be returned to the ICU to be recovered from anesthesia under the supervision of the ICU nursing staff.

Once fully awake, your pet will be able to go home with you. This is usually within 1-3 hours of the completion of the scan. You are welcome to wait at the CARE Center during this entire procedure, or can certainly leave during the procedure and return when your pet is ready to go home.

The results of the CT scan will be reviewed by the emergency veterinarian, and forwarded to your family vet, but in most cases will also be sent out to be read by a board-certified veterinary Radiologist. Results are usually returned within 48 hours, often within 24.

Isn’t this an extravagant test for a pet?

We understand why it may seem like it. And while the cost may seem high for a single diagnostic test, CT scan offers a very high likelihood of obtaining a specific diagnosis for conditions that cannot be diagnosed in any other way. So rather than spending an equal or greater amount of money by running a series of different tests, in many cases going straight to CT is ultimately less expensive. And CT scanning is extremely safe and completely non-invasive.

How much does a CT scan cost?

This will vary depending upon the time under anesthesia, the type of anesthesia used, whether a contrast injection is needed (to get better detail with certain studies) whether or not the results are sent to a radiologist, etc. As a broad estimate, the test will run between $450-700. A more specific estimate can be given if your patient is in our hospital, or if we discuss the case with your family veterinarian prior to referral.

Is there any danger to my pet?

Not from the CT scan itself. Because all patients must be anesthetized in order to keep them still, there are the accompanying risks of anesthesia. Risks of general anesthesia are present whether performing a simple spay or a CT scan. Because many of our CT patients are being scanned because of disorders of the central nervous system, the effects of anesthesia can be exaggerated. But in almost all cases, anesthesia can be performed safely and without complications, even in the sickest of animals. Concerns about anesthesia will be discussed with you before your pet’s scan. If contrast material is being used for you pet’s scan (an injection that helps some types of tissue show up in more detail on the image), there is some small chance of an adverse reaction to this drug. The incidence of such reactions is very rare, however, and will be closely monitored for.

Who reads the results?

If prescribed by one of the clinicians at the CARE Center, that clinician will review the study. In almost all cases of in house CT scans, and all cases of referral CT scans, the test will also be reviewed by a board-certified veterinary Radiologist. Results are usually returned within 48 hours, often within 24.

How quickly can my pet be scheduled for a CT scan?

Usually within 24 hours, often the same day that your veterinarian calls us. If being prescribed for a patient of CARE Center who is in hospital, testing is usually done the same day.