Digital Radiology

Digital Radiology in Cedar Springs, MI

When your pet is sick or hurt, seeing what’s happening inside the body can make all the difference. Cedar Animal Hospital uses digital radiology in our own building, so our veterinarians can view images within minutes and move ahead with a plan for your pet the same day.

Understanding Digital Radiology

Radiographs, often called X-rays, create images of the bones, chest, and abdomen. They help our veterinarians look for broken bones, arthritis, swallowed objects, bladder stones, changes in the heart and lungs, and masses that can’t be felt during an exam. Digital radiology works like traditional X-rays but captures images electronically instead of on film.

That brings real benefits for your pet. Images appear on a computer screen right away, so there’s no waiting for film to develop. Digital radiography also uses less radiation than older film methods, for both your pet and our team. Images are stored electronically with your pet’s record, which makes it easy to compare them over time or share them with another veterinarian. Our doctors review every study, and we also use AI-assisted software that reads radiographs and produces a detailed report, giving us a second set of eyes on your pet’s images.

What to Expect During Your Pet’s Radiographs

Radiographs are quick and painless. Here’s how the process works.

1. Exam and Recommendation

Your veterinarian examines your pet and explains why radiographs may help, whether for an injury, a cough, vomiting, limping, or routine monitoring of a known condition.

2. Positioning Your Pet

Radiographs are taken in our hospital treatment area. Our team gently positions your pet on the table for each view. Most pets only need to hold still for a few seconds. Pets who are painful, anxious, or need very precise positioning may receive sedation to keep them comfortable and still.

3. Immediate Review

Because images appear on screen right away, your veterinarian can review them within minutes and decide whether more views or other tests are needed.

4. Going Over the Results

Your veterinarian will show you the images, explain what they found, and talk through next steps. If more detail is needed, we can often continue with ultrasound or a CT scan here in our hospital.

Why Digital Radiology Matters

Clear, fast imaging helps us make better decisions for your pet.

Faster Answers in an Emergency

For pets with trauma, breathing trouble, or a possible obstruction, quick imaging helps our team decide on treatment without delay. Radiology is available as part of our urgent and emergency care seven days a week.

Less Radiation

Digital systems need less radiation than older film methods, which is better for your pet and our staff.

Tracking Changes Over Time

Stored images make it easy to compare a fracture as it heals or monitor a heart or lung condition from one visit to the next.

Signs Your Pet May Need Radiographs

Your veterinarian may recommend radiographs if your pet has:

• Limping, lameness, or a possible broken bone
• Coughing or trouble breathing
• Vomiting, or may have swallowed a toy, bone, or other object
• A swollen or painful belly
• Straining to urinate or blood in the urine
• Trauma, such as a fall or being hit by a car

Imaging for Every Kind of Pet

Digital radiology is useful for dogs and cats, and it’s also an important tool for exotic pets. Radiographs help us check a bird’s or reptile’s skeleton and organs, look for eggs or impactions, and evaluate small mammals without invasive procedures.

Practice Highlights

• Advanced In-Clinic Diagnostics: Digital radiography, ultrasound, CT scan, and a full laboratory
• Seven-Day Emergency Care: Urgent and emergency appointments every day of the week
• AAHA-Accredited: Meeting the American Animal Hospital Association’s standards for quality care
• Dogs, Cats, and Exotics: Wellness, urgent, emergency, and exotics care in one building
• Serving Pets Since 1993: Trusted by families from Cedar Springs and across West Michigan