Computed Tomography (CT) is an important diagnostic tool that can provide our vets with detailed 3D images, essential for accurately diagnosing unwell pets. However, few veterinary practices have the luxury of having a CT scanner on site, so to ensure every pet can access a CT scanner when they need to, we now offer our CT services to all pets as an outpatient service.
When may a CT scan be recommended for my pet?
Your pet may be referred to Eden Veterinary referrals for a CT scan when radiography and ultrasound alone are not sufficient to diagnose their illness or injury. CT provides our vets and yours with detailed 3D images enabling many illnesses to be diagnosed that may otherwise be missed, while also providing a vital resource for pre-surgical planning, resulting in improved surgical success rates.
What is CT?
CT scanners use a continuous x-ray beam to take cross-sectional images of your pet’s body that are then converted into a 3D view using computer software. Each scan will focus on imaging one area of your pet’s body at a time. The resulting 3D images allow us to assess your pet’s CT scan in great anatomical detail, so that abnormalities can be accurately assessed and diagnosed.
For some CT scans, you will be advised that contrast dye may need to be given to your pet during their scan. The contrast dye will be injected into your pet’s blood so it can highlight the blood vessels, enabling the blood vessels to be seen. This enables the bloodflow through organs to be assessed so we can detect any abnormalities. For example, contrast dye is used to diagnose a liver shunt where abnormal blood vessels in the liver are identified.
When is it best to use CT?
CT is suitable for diagnosing many different conditions, from orthopaedic (bone and ligament) injuries to lung diseases. It enables bones to be seen in fantastic detail, with no issues with confusion from other overlying structures, while also providing valuable diagnostic information about the chest or abdomen. CT is also an important diagnostic tool for imaging deep, difficult-to-access structures, such as the middle ear or nasal cavity.
CT is commonly used to diagnose,
- Fractures, joint disease, and lameness
- Nasal cavity abnormalities
- Middle ear disease
- Respiratory conditions
- Spinal disease
- Trauma
- Urinary disease
- Heart disease
- Tumours and metastases
- Portosystemic liver shunt
Outpatient CT Services
At Eden Veterinary Referrals, we want to ensure that every pet has access to the latest diagnostic imaging equipment, so we now offer our CT services to outpatients. This ensures every pet can benefit from a CT scan when they need one.
To access this service, your primary vets will need to send us a referral form for your pet. Once received, we will arrange for you to bring your pet to us for a CT scan. This procedure does require your pet to have a general anaesthetic, so they will need to stay with us for the day until they have recovered. Your vet will then receive your pet’s CT report within the timeframe indicated by your CT package. For the majority of routine scans, this will be between 2 to 4 days.
CT scan packages
When your pet is referred to Eden Veterinary Referrals for an outpatient CT scan, we try to make the process as simple as possible by offering several CT packages. All our CT prices include everything your pet needs for a routine stay with us, from when they arrive until they go home later the same day, so you can concentrate on your pet’s health without needing to worry about finances.
What is included in the price of an outpatient CT scan?
- Hospitalisation for a day
- General Anaesthetic
- CT scan
- Interpretation Report
- Supportive fluids during the anaesthetic if required
A general anaesthetic is required for the procedure because your pet will need to be completely still throughout the scan, enabling the best-quality images to be taken. Once the scan is completed, your pet will be monitored in recovery until they are ready to go home.
CT scan prices
Our outpatient CT scanning packages vary in price depending on the number of areas being scanned and how quickly the scans are interpreted. We offer 3 different packages with different interpretation times, depending on the urgency of the scan.
- Standard package – scans are interpreted within 2 to 4 days
- Priority package – scans are interpreted within 24 hours
- Urgent package – scans are interpreted within 4 hours
Your vet will be able to advise on the best package for your pet depending on how quickly they need the results of the scan.
Prices for the CT packages depend on how many areas of the body need to be scanned. There is also a specific package for lameness investigations.
- Scan of 1 body area only
- Standard package – £1400
- Priority package – £1500
- Urgent package – £1600
- Scan of 2 body areas
- Standard package – £1750
- Priority package – £1850
- Urgent package – £1950
- Scan of additional areas, including an interpretation report – £350
- Lameness cases – 3 pairs of joints, either forelimb or hindlimb – £1500
- Pre-contrast renal panel – Additional £65
If contrast dye is required for your pet’s CT scan, a pre-contrast kidney blood test will be requested. This checks the health of your pet’s kidneys to ensure that are suitable to receive the contrast agent.
Our CT packages help make the process of referring your pet for an outpatient CT scan at Eden Veterinary Referral simple, but if you have any questions about which package is best for your pet, our reception team is always happy to help.
As veterinary medicine advances, the use of CT imaging becomes increasingly essential for the diagnosis of many conditions, enabling our outpatient CT service to help more pets get the veterinary treatment they require. At Eden Veterinary Referrals, we want every pet to be able to access our top-of-the-range CT services when needed, so our outpatient CT scanning service means our doors are open to every pet.
