In this article, we take a look at radiology and imaging, cardiology and rehabilitation, and physical therapy and what takes place there. Understanding what happens in the different sectors of the hospital makes them a little less scary.
Radiology and imaging
Diagnostic imaging encompasses a number of different imaging modalities, including radiography, diagnostic ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and even scintigraphy.
Diagnostic imaging is used every day in veterinary practice to aid in the diagnosis of various diseases and help the veterinarian get a better idea of what is going on inside the animal.
The two most widely used imaging techniques in general practice are radiography (x-rays) and diagnostic ultrasound. Radiographs are valuable for detecting problems in bones and joints, for example, fractures. X-rays are also commonly used to image the chest, allowing vets to identify diseases affecting the lungs and even the heart.
Radiographs can also be useful to visualise the abdominal organs in some cases, although diagnostic ultrasound is generally considered superior in visualising the abdominal organs.
Diagnostic ultrasound, also known as sonar, is an excellent imaging modality for soft tissue and is commonly used to perform abdominal ultrasound to get detailed images of organs like the liver, spleen and kidneys. However, it is also used to perform echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) and is sometimes used to detect and monitor disease of the lungs and chest cavity.
CT scans use a series of x-rays to obtain far more detailed cross-sectional and three-dimensional images of both soft tissues and bone. Some examples of when a CT scan may be indicated include:
- nasal disease
- lung pathology
- abnormal blood vessels, including liver shunts and various musculoskeletal disorders.
CT scans are often used for surgical planning, such as to visualise complex fractures or the location of tumours.
MRI uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to form signals that are analysed by a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs and soft tissues. Although MRI has many potential applications, it is most frequently used to diagnose conditions within the brain and spinal cord, such as intervertebral disc disease and brain tumours.
Diagnostic imaging, therefore, forms an integral part of veterinary medicine and is often essential to making a diagnosis and formulating the best possible treatment plan for your pet.
Cardiology
Heart conditions are commonly seen in dogs and cats. Different diseases occur more commonly in small breed dogs, large breed dogs and cats. The most common cardiac disease in small breeds is valvular degeneration of the mitral valve (MMVD), resulting in abnormal blood flow, leakage across the valves and heart chamber enlargement.
Large breed dogs are more commonly affected with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), whereby the heart muscle weakens and is unable to contract appropriately, resulting in heart chamber enlargement and reduced blood flow to the body.
The most common feline cardiac disease is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which causes thickening of the heart muscle and abnormal changes of the chambers. This results in a reduced ability of the heart to receive blood and increases the risk of forming blood clots, which can then block various arteries.
Due to the abnormal blood flow and pressure changes in the chambers and vessels, fluid tends to accumulate in the chest cavity, lungs or abdomen depending on which side of the heart is primarily affected (left or right).
Early clinical signs that owners may notice are:
- exercise intolerance
- shortness of breath with activity
- faster breathing rate
- increased breathing effort
- open-mouth breathing
- overall weakness
Coughing is a common misconception; typically, heart disease does not cause coughing unless the heart is significantly enlarged and pushes against the trachea and bronchi, stimulating a cough. Heart disease more often causes changes in the chest cavity and lungs, resulting in abnormal breathing rate and effort. In advanced disease, additional signs that may be noticed are fainting, a swollen abdomen (fluid-filled) and an arrhythmia.
If your dog or cat has heart disease, monitoring the breathing rate while at rest (or sleeping) gives a good indication if the heart disease is progressing or not. As a rough guideline, the breathing rate per minute at rest should be <30 breaths. Additional changes to monitor for are heart rate, heartbeat regularity and general activity levels.
To read the rest of this interesting article, get the Spring #347 edition of Animaltalk magazine from retailers or order a digital or printed copy from www.coolmags.co.za.
