Radiology (XRAY), Ultrasound & Endoscopy

Our on-site, modern X-ray equipment provides high quality radiographs to aid in the quick diagnosis of many disorders.  These xray images are developed in our automated film processor and are dry and ready for interpretation within 90 seconds of being taken.  This allows us to diagnose the condition very quickly, saving you time, money and worry.

While we have utilized ultrasound technology to diagnose disease since 1995, we have recently upgraded our ultrasound equipment with the addition of the GE Logic-e fully digital 3D ultrasound machine.  This machine not only allows the conventional 2D views that most machines provide, but also provides full 3 dimensional view previously only available at large specialist centres.  This technology is similar to that available at human hospitals. The Digital Colour-flow Doppler Ultrasound allows us to visualize internal organs in real time.  This is invaluable in the determination of early pregnancy and the rapid diagnosis of many conditions.  Colour flow allows us to see the function of the heart and to diagnose many cardiac conditions including leaking valves, heart tumours and to actually measure the amount of blood being pumped through the heart.  The real beauty of this equipment is that it is completely non-invasive and non-painful.  If a biopsy is required from an internal organ, this can be done extremely accurately by guiding the surgeon directly to the affected tissue allowing biopsy of structures as small as 1 cm in diameter.  This is the only equipment that will allow this kind of diagnosis and we can perform this right on site at our hospital. 

We also provide Digital Dental x-ray for standard diagnosis of dental disease below the gumline that cannot otherwise be diagnosed.  Our xray equipment is new and cutting edge.  It allows for 90% less radiation for production of the same images as other machines.  The images are also much higher resolution allowing for diagnosis of more subtle problems.  Because the images can be manipulated on the computer after production, there is much less need for re-takes and thus the cost to the client is reduced and the safety for your pet is improved.  Cut rate dentistry provided by under-equipped facilities will always skip this crucial step.  This will lead to unnecessary suffering for your pet as their medical and dental problems will essentially be left unaddressed.  No dentistry is complete without obtaining a diagnostic set of dental xrays.






Ultrasound is regularly employed in our practice in order to see internal organs and other soft tissue structures (ie. tumours and other growths).  Without this technology, the only way to diagnose some internal problems is with exploratory surgery.  Ultrasound is safe, painless and completely non-invasive.  It also allows for biopsy of internal organs without the need for surgery.  This reduces risk and requires very little time for recovery.  

Colour-Flow Doppler Ultrasound allows direct, real-time imaging of the heart and all of its internal structures.  It allows us to see blood flow within the heart and measure the heart's function and output.  This affords rapid and accurate diagnosis of heart problems thus allowing the doctors to begin therapy right away.

Endoscopy allows the doctors to see inside the tubular structures of the body (windpipe/lungs, gastro-intestinal tract, bladder, nasal cavity and ears).  We have several endoscopes (small cameras on the end of a flexible or rigid shaft that allows us to directly visualize structures deep within the body).  Our new MDS video-endoscope allows us (and you) to watch the entire examination on a video monitor.   You will now be able to see the problems that the doctor sees when he is looking in your pet's ears. Our state-of-the-art Olympus endoscope allows visualization of very deep structures.  With special forceps, these instruments allow us to harvest biopsy samples without surgery and will allow retrieval of some foreign bodies (ie. rocks from the stomach).