Outpatient CT Scanning

Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital has a 64-slice CT scanner for producing three-dimensional X-ray images of patients. Such images provide far more information than conventional x-rays as they avoid the superimposition of overlying body structures that complicates the interpretation of conventional x-rays, allow the images to be manipulated to be examined from various angles, and allow variation of the slice thickness – and so signal-to-noise ratio – aiding detection of very small abnormalities. These features allow us to diagnose conditions that would be difficult to diagnose with conventional x-rays.

Our scanner is high-resolution, and very fast, minimising the time the animal is sedated or anaesthetised for the scan.

CT is useful for many conditions, but is particularly valuable for:

Orthopaedic disease – excellent for both bones and joints
Respiratory system disease – excellent for lungs and noses
Skull and middle-ear problems
Abdominal imaging – CT is more sensitive than ultrasound in medium to large dogs
Cancer staging / checking for metastases
Dental diseases, particularly useful in rabbits and other small mammals
Animals that can be difficult for X-ray interpretation such as tortoises and birds

Three-dimensional reconstruction of tissue images aids planning for surgery, as the surgeon can better understand the physical distribution of the abnormalities.

The scanner is available for outpatient use any workday, including Saturday mornings.

We accept animals for CT by referral from the animal’s usual veterinary practice only. If you own an animal you think might benefit from CT, please discuss that with your usual vet and if they agree they can arrange a referral to us.

All scans can be read by the radiology specialists at VetCT veterinary telemedicine specialists who can report directly to the referring vet.

If you are a vet and wish to refer a case for CT, please call us on 01608 642547 or e-mail admin@chippingnortonvets.co.uk.

And if you are wondering what the animal with the odd-shaped tail is... it's an otter.

This is a 3D reconstruction of the otter, after removing all the soft tissues to leave just bones, and lots of hard masses in the abdomen, which are kidney stones.