Another good screening tool in senior pets includes x-rays.
While a physical exam done by a veterinarian can be a very good indication of
disease, it does not always tell the full story. Even if there is no evidence
of disease externally many veterinarians recommend x-rays in older pets to help
rule out conditions that if not detected early may not be treatable.
Screening the abdomen can help rule out tumors that may not
be palpable. The liver and spleen are organs that can sometimes develop
cancerous growths that if not detected could rupture and actually cause the
patient to die. While this is extreme it can happen. Although many times these
can be detected on a physical exam in some dogs who are nervous, tense or very
deep chested it is not always possible to appreciate small changes. X-rays and
even sometimes abdominal ultrasound may be necessary to determine if there are
any abnormalities.
X-rays of the lungs can help detect early changes in the
heart which could indicate heart disease. If detected in the beginning there is
a much better chance of managing heart failure and keeping pets comfortable for
longer. X-rays of the lungs can also be used to look for signs of metastasis.
This is a spreading of cancer to a site other than its original location. The
lungs are a very common place for tumors to metastasize and early detection may
afford owners more options for their pets.
As mentioned last week x-rays can also be used to assess
joints and determine the extend of disease present. This can help with managing
the condition and give a more clear picture of what the pet is up against.
X-rays can become a very valuable diagnostic especially when
paired with a physical exam. The more information we have, the better we can
help keep our pets happy and healthy for as long as possible.
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