X-Ray in Dogs 

Is your dog limping severely after an injury? Then, it’s a reason to have your pooch examined by a vet via X-ray. Discover other reasons for X-raying dogs and how the procedure unfolds in this article.

When is X-Ray in Dogs Necessary?

Using an X-ray examination, or radiography, the tissues in a dog’s body are visually represented. Generally, your vet will order an X-ray if there is a suspicion of damage to internal organs or bones.

X-rays are commonly used in dogs for the following diseases and injuries:

• Bone fractures, deformities, or inflammations
• Jaw and dental diseases
• Changes in lung tissue due to lung worms, lung cancer, or pathological fluid accumulation
• Heart diseases such as Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
• Suspected tumours in the spleen, liver, bladder, or mammary glands

X-rays can also be necessary when looking to locate radiopaque foreign objects like bones, metal buttons, needles, or coins, or for breeding examinations.

Why are X-rays needed for breeding suitability examinations?

Breeding suitability examinations aim to prevent inheritable diseases in dogs. These include hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED).

Breeding associations demand an official HD examination or a combined HD-ED examination for future breeding bitches and studs. Only dogs free from HD are permitted for breeding.

This official X-ray examination usually takes place when dogs reach 12 months of age and involves a brief anaesthesia. The vet then sends the X-rays along with a completed application form to the breeding association.

Good to know: Anaesthesia is mandatory for this examination to ensure X-rays are of sufficient quality through correct positioning.

How Does X-Ray in Dogs Work?

Before an X-ray with anaesthesia, the dog should fast, not eating anything on the day of the examination and only drinking water. This helps to reduce the risk of potential side effects.

During the X-ray process, the dog is positioned a certain way and secured for the images with the X-ray machine. The vet ensures that the dog remains as still as possible, often using a cushion for support.

The vet then adjusts the X-ray beams to the correct strength and exposure time for the target area. This ensures that only the area of interest is radiated. After a few minutes, the X-ray is complete. Now, your furry friend can rest and, if needed, recover from the anaesthesia.

What Can You See in a Dog’s X-Ray?

The tissue appears in different shades of black, white, and grey in an X-ray image. The colour gradations mean:

• Bone tissue appears brighter as it absorbs more X-ray beams.
• Soft tissue such as the liver, lungs, and muscle appears grey due to its lower density.
• Air and fluids completely penetrate X-ray beams, so they appear as black regions.

With the X-ray image, the vet can recognise pathological changes in the dog’s internal organs without surgical intervention.

Why are contrast agents used in X-rays?

A contrast agent helps, for example, to make intestinal obstructions or malformations of blood vessels visible. These alterations appear white on the X-ray image. Vets use barium sulfate as an X-ray contrast agent, which is a radiopaque substance.

The vet administers the contrast agent either via the mouth into the gastrointestinal tract (gastrografy) or injects it directly into the dog’s vessels (angiography).

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Are X-Rays Dangerous for My Dog?

X-rays penetrate the dog’s body and the cells of all involved in the examination, potentially damaging the irradiated cells. It is dangerous as it may harm the cell nucleus and the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) within.

Germ cells, such as ovaries and testes, as well as the cells of the skin, thyroid, or eyes, are very sensitive to X-rays. From a certain radiation dose, dogs may, for example, temporarily lose fertility.

The Dose Makes the Poison

The extent of the harm caused by X-ray beams depends on the dose. The higher the radiation exposure, the more DNA is damaged.

How does the vet protect the dog from X-rays?

Vets take care during the X-ray examination to irradiate as few body parts as possible. Areas not being X-rayed are protected from the beams by lead aprons and gloves.

Not only the dog but also all the people in the room, such as the vet, pet owner, veterinary assistants, and interns, must be protected from X-rays. In most cases, the staff will ask you to stay in the waiting room during the examination.

If you are present at the X-ray, you will also be provided with a lead apron, thyroid protector, and gloves.

X-Rays Under Anaesthesia

Sometimes, a dog’s injury may be in a hard-to-reach place on the body. For particularly intricate shots, the vet often resorts to anaesthesia.

This keeps your dog free from additional stress caused by correct positioning during the X-ray. Any anaesthesia carries risks, so your dog is monitored by professionals throughout its duration and until it wakes up.

What are the Costs of X-raying a Dog?

The cost of X-raying a dog depends on the number of examinations conducted and whether anaesthesia was required.

According to the current veterinary fee structure, you can expect the following approximate costs:

• One or multiple X-ray images: the cost can range from approximately £95 to £1000 depending on complexity and whether sedation or anaesthesia is required.
• Administering of contrast agent ranges from £200 to £500 for a fistulography and from £500 to £1000 for a myelography.

This article from zooplus Magazine is purely informative. If your pet is experiencing discomfort, contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

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