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Radiology

Veterinary radiology is a first-line diagnostic tool that is fast, non-invasive, and essential for evaluating the dense and bony structures of your pet’s body. Using high-definition digital X-ray technology, our veterinarians across the Velvet network can obtain clear images of your pet’s internal structures almost instantly. 

Whether assessing a fracture, monitoring the size and shape of the heart, evaluating the lungs, or detecting an accidentally ingested foreign object, our radiology service provides rapid and accurate diagnostic information, helping ensure prompt and safe care for your faithful companion.

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High-definition digital X-rays

Bone and joint X-rays

Diagnostic chest X-rays

Abdominal screening X-rays

Foreign body and intestinal obstruction screening

Official hip and elbow dysplasia screening X-rays

Contrast radiography (barium)

Bone healing monitoring

Teleradiology and second-opinion review

Your most commons questions

Digital radiography uses electronic sensors instead of traditional film. For our clinics in Montréal, this means high-definition images can be obtained in less than 5 seconds, image contrast can be adjusted on screen without having to retake X-rays, and your pet’s exposure to X-rays is significantly reduced.
No. The risks are negligible. Exposure to X-rays during a diagnostic examination is extremely brief and involves a very low dose of radiation, particularly with our latest-generation digital equipment. Our Velvet veterinary technicians are trained to minimize the number of images required while ensuring a safe and effective examination.
In most cases, the examination is performed while your pet is awake. They simply need to remain still for a few seconds while our technicians gently position them. Mild sedation may be recommended if your pet is experiencing significant pain, such as from a recent fracture, if they are highly anxious, or for official orthopedic X-rays, such as hip and elbow dysplasia screening, which require complete muscle relaxation.
An abdominal X-ray allows veterinarians to evaluate the size and shape of major organs, such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys, identify mineralized urinary stones in the bladder, and assess the gastrointestinal tract. It is also particularly useful for detecting abnormal organ positioning or abnormal gas patterns associated with conditions such as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), commonly known as bloat or stomach torsion.
Dense objects such as bones, rocks, coins, or hard plastic toys block X-rays and appear clearly as bright white structures on radiographs. If the swallowed object is made of a less dense material, such as fabric or string, the veterinarian will look for indirect signs, such as trapped gas pockets or abnormally bunched-up intestinal loops.
The technique is essentially the same, but the imaging settings are adjusted depending on the structures being evaluated. Bone X-rays are optimized for dense structures and are used to assess conditions such as fractures or osteoarthritis. Chest X-rays use settings adapted to the air-filled lungs, allowing veterinarians to evaluate the size and shape of the heart, detect fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), or identify respiratory infections such as pneumonia.
Digital X-ray images appear almost instantly on the computers at our Velvet locations. The veterinarian can therefore review the images with you during the consultation. If a second opinion is needed, the images can be submitted through teleradiology to board-certified specialists, with a written report typically returned within 24 to 48 hours.