MRI for Dogs

At Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Winston-Salem, our board-certified veterinary neurologists use our in-house MRI to help diagnose a range of health issues in dogs from a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament to brain tumors. Today, our vets explain why MRI scans on dogs can be helpful, and the conditions this technology can help diagnose.

Veterinary Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan for Dogs

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 Veterinary MRIs Are 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 give your veterinarian high-resolution, detailed images of your pet's soft tissues, including the brain, spinal cord, ligaments, tendons, and abdominal organs. A veterinary MRI can provide a more detailed picture of your dog's body than other diagnostic imaging tools like X-rays or CT scans, particularly for soft tissue injuries or diseases.

Conditions That MRI's Can Help to Diagnose 

If your dog is experiencing symptoms such as limping, lameness, seizures, joint pain, neck pain, back pain, or paralysis, your veterinarian may recommend an MRI to help diagnose the cause of the problem. MRI scans can help diagnose a variety of conditions in dogs, including:

• Spinal disc tumor, herniated discs, or stenosis
• Brain tumor, inflammation, or abscess
• Stroke
• Musculoskeletal diseases and injuries such as ruptured cranial cruciate ligament or shoulder instability
• Abdomen conditions indicated by organ enlargement or a tumor

The Veterinary MRI Process

An MRI scan for pets and people lasts about 45 minutes to an hour and requires the patient to remain completely still throughout. As you might expect, trying to get a dog to stay completely still in a strange machine for 45 minutes would be impossible. As a result, general anesthetics are used on dogs having an MRI scan. Blood tests and X-rays are typically recommended by veterinarians prior to the MRI to ensure that your pet is strong enough to undergo general anesthesia.

The 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 which are better detected using other diagnostic imaging tools such as CT and radiography (x-rays). MRI may be less helpful when diagnosing internal organs, fractures or head trauma in dogs.

Another drawback of MRI is the cost. If your pet requires an MRI, you should expect to pay a lot. That said, pet insurance plans will typically cover the cost of diagnostic testing such as MRI, (check with your insurer to see if MRI is part of your pet's coverage). Also, for a more accurate estimate, you should contact your vet directly.

How long does an MRI take?

An MRI on dogs typically takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the specific area being scanned and the level of detail required.

Veterinary MRI for Pets in Winston-Salem

At Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Winston-Salem, our veterinary neurologists use the most advanced tools available to help provide an accurate diagnosis of your pet's medical issues. Our in-house diagnostic imaging capabilities, including veterinary MRI, allow us 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.