Pet X-Rays & Ultrasound
When a physical exam and routine bloodwork aren’t enough to give our team at Foland Veterinary Services the full picture, our on-site diagnostic imaging capabilities—including digital radiography and ultrasonography—for dogs and cats in Weatherford, TX, allow us to look deeper, right here in our clinic.
Advanced Diagnostics Save Lives
Some conditions simply can’t be diagnosed from the outside. A pet can appear stable while harboring an abdominal mass, a fractured bone, a heart abnormality, or a dangerous intestinal obstruction. Advanced diagnostic imaging allows our veterinarians to evaluate your pet’s internal structures with clarity and precision—giving us the information we need to make confident, well-informed treatment decisions without unnecessary delay.
At Foland Veterinary Services, we believe that access to advanced diagnostics shouldn’t require a trip to a specialty hospital. Our in-house pet imaging capabilities are designed to deliver the answers your pet needs as efficiently and comfortably as possible, right here in the clinic you already trust.
Our Pet Imaging & Diagnostic Services
Digital Radiography (Pet X-Rays)
Our digital X-ray unit can be used to obtain images of a variety of structures, including the heart, lungs, abdominal structures, and bones. Digital radiography produces high-resolution images quickly, allowing our veterinarians to evaluate your pet's skeletal system, chest cavity, and abdomen with detail and precision. Compared to traditional film X-rays, digital radiographs are faster to produce, easier to evaluate, and can be shared with specialists when needed.
Pet X-rays are commonly used to:
- Diagnose fractures, dislocations, and orthopedic injuries
- Evaluate the size and shape of the heart and lungs
- Identify intestinal obstructions or foreign bodies
- Assess the abdominal organs for abnormalities
- Monitor conditions such as arthritis or bone disease over time
Ultrasonography (Dog & Cat Ultrasound)
Ultrasound provides detailed images of your pet's soft tissue structures and is often used to view abdominal organs. Unlike X-rays, which excel at imaging bones and dense structures, vet ultrasound gives us a dynamic, real-time view of your pet's soft tissues—including the liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, adrenal glands, and gastrointestinal tract. It's a non-invasive, painless procedure that most pets tolerate well without sedation.
Dog and cat ultrasound is commonly used to:
- Evaluate abdominal organs for disease or abnormality
- Identify and characterize masses or fluid accumulations
- Diagnose conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, or bladder stones
- Guide procedures such as biopsies or soft tissue surgeries
- Monitor pregnancies and assess fetal health
Dental Radiography
Dental X-rays allow us to diagnose oral diseases and injuries, such as periodontal disease and tooth deterioration. Because the majority of each tooth lies beneath the gumline, dental radiographs are essential for a complete oral evaluation—revealing problems that are completely invisible during a standard visual exam. Dental X-rays are performed before every professional dental cleaning at Foland Veterinary Services. Learn more about our pet dental care services.
Why Might My Pet Need Diagnostic Imaging?
Advanced diagnostic imaging is typically recommended for pets that we suspect may have a disease, injury, or other medical condition. For example, if one of our veterinarians detects an abnormality during your pet’s physical exam or through laboratory testing, or you have noticed your pet acting ill, we may recommend in-house diagnostics to evaluate their overall health.
Digital X-rays can help us diagnose a variety of conditions, from orthopedic injuries to intestinal obstructions, and may be recommended for an internal view of your pet’s anatomy. Ultrasound provides a more detailed view of your pet’s organs and soft tissues, and may be recommended to diagnose conditions such as kidney or liver disease, or to locate an abdominal mass. Dental X-rays are used to identify diseased teeth and are performed before every professional dental cleaning.
Advanced imaging is also frequently used in surgical planning—helping our team understand exactly what we’re dealing with before we operate, and reducing the risk of unexpected findings during a procedure.
What Can I Expect During My Pet’s Imaging Appointment?
Our team will discuss any advanced diagnostics we recommend so you understand why they are being performed, the information we will gain, and any special instructions you should follow. We never proceed with diagnostic testing without first explaining our reasoning and answering your questions—because informed pet owners are part of the care team too.
Here’s a general idea of what to expect:
For Pet X-Rays
Your pet will be gently positioned on the X-ray table while our team captures the necessary images. Most pets tolerate this well. In some cases—particularly if your pet is in pain or is anxious—mild sedation may be recommended to ensure the images are clear and the experience is comfortable. Digital results are available immediately, allowing your veterinarian to review findings with you the same day.
For Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a non-invasive, painless procedure. The fur over the area being examined is typically shaved or moistened to allow good contact with the ultrasound probe. Your pet will lie comfortably while we capture real-time images of their internal structures. Most dogs and cats do well during ultrasound without any sedation at all.