Veterinarians can use MRIs to help diagnose a range of health issues in dogs ranging from torn ACLs to brain tumors. Today we look at ways MRI scans can be an important diagnostic tool.
Veterinary Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRIs have been readily available to help diagnose human health conditions since the early 1980s, but it wasn't until recently that veterinary MRIs became more widely used.
Why are veterinary MRIs helpful?
While it can often be easy to see that a pet is experiencing pain or discomfort, because our dogs can't explain what they feel, we rely on diagnostic examinations and testing to find the root of the problem. Veterinary MRI scans allow us to evaluate the inside of your dog's body in a non-invasive way.
MRI scans can provide your veterinarian with high-resolution, detailed images of your pet's soft tissues such as the brain, spinal cord, ligaments, tendons and abdominal organs. When it comes to many soft tissue injuries or diseases, Veterinary MRI often provides a more detailed picture of your dog's body than other diagnostic imaging tools such as X-rays or CT Scans.
What kinds of conditions can MRIs be used to diagnose?
If your dog is suffering from symptoms such as limping, lameness, seizures, joint pain, neck pain, back pain or paralysis, your vet may recommend an MRI to help diagnose the cause of your dog's symptoms. MRI scans can be used to help diagnose a wide range of conditions in dogs including:
- Spinal disc tumor, herniated discs, or stenosis
- Brain tumor, inflammation, or abscess
- Stroke
- Musculoskeletal diseases and injuries (e.g. ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, shoulder instability)
- Abdomen conditions indicated by organ enlargement or a tumor
What is the veterinary MRI process?
For pets and people, an MRI scan takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour and requires the patient to be absolutely still for the entire time. As you can imagine, trying to coax a dog to stay completely still, in a strange machine, for 45 minutes is an impossible task - and stressful for humans and animals alike. For that reason, a general anesthetic is used on dogs undergoing an MRI scan. Vets typically recommend blood tests and X-rays be done before the MRI to help ensure that your pet is strong enough to be put under general anesthetic.
Are there drawbacks of MRI imaging for dogs?
The need for general anesthetic is one of the primary drawbacks of MRI for veterinary diagnostics. Some dogs may not be strong enough to go under anesthetic, meaning that MRI will not be possible for those pets.
While MRI is particularly useful in diagnosing brain, spinal cord and ligament issues, there are other conditions that can be better detected using other diagnostic imaging tools such as CT and radiography (X-rays). MRI might be less helpful in looking at internal organs, fractures, or head trauma in dogs.
Another drawback of MRI is the potential cost. However, typically pet insurance plans cover the cost of diagnostic tests like an MRI; check with your insurer to clarify if MRI imaging is part of your pet's coverage.
Veterinary MRI for Pets
Veterinarians use these advanced diagnostic tools to provide an accurate diagnosis of your pet's medical issues. Many vets have in-house diagnostic imaging capabilities, including veterinary MRI, allowing them to provide quicker diagnosis and treatment options, as well as the ability to share detailed information with your primary care veterinarian in the most time-efficient manner.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.