Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is the newest form of diagnostic imaging being used for both human and veterinary medicine. Small animal MRI equipment generates a very powerful magnetic field, resulting in detailed anatomic images of whatever part of a dog’s body is being scanned. No x-rays are involved, and a dog/cat MRI is considered extremely safe.

An MRI procedure for small animals usually proceeds as follows:

• Pet must be sedated for this procedure because they cannot be restrained by humans and must remain still during the procedure
• The pet’s body is continuously pulsed with radio waves for a period of time, usually 10-20 minutes
• The pulsing causes the body tissues to emit radio frequency waves that can be detected by the MRI equipment. Many repetitions of these pulses and subsequent emissions are required in order to generate adequate digital feedback for the equipment to interpret
• The feedback is then converted into images that can be displayed on a screen, and can also be saved for future study

An MRI is not used as regularly as an x-ray or ultrasound because the equipment is very expensive, very large, and requires specially trained technicians or vets to operate. However, Blue Oasis Veterinary Clinic offers comprehensive MRI services for your pets because we believe that facilitating complete veterinary care means having all the tools and training necessary to do so.