For Dog Owners In Utah: MRI for Dogs is Now Only One Call Away
When you love your pet with all of your heart, it’s so scary when they start showing signs that something isn’t quite right. On top of trying to figure out what’s wrong, you start to worry about bills, emergency visits, and of course, the future of your beloved pet.
There are so many options when it comes to finding the right fit for your animal’s diagnostic imaging needs in Sandy, Utah. It’s no easy feat to go through each one of their sites, determine which ones actually have an MRI machine, find one that doesn’t need a referral, and then try to get an appointment. And sometimes, it all needs to be done quickly!
We’ve put together a guide to help you make an informed decision when you need an MRI for dogs. First, you want to understand why an MRI for your dog is needed. And then we’ll go all the way through to how much MRIs for dogs cost. Ultimately, you will leave this guide with a greater understanding of the MRI process and who you can trust to put your pet’s health first.
Common Signs and Symptoms That Need an MRI for Dogs
Last summer, Chelsea’s 10-year-old dog, Fritz, began to drag one of her back feet. The dragging would come and go, but it became more persistent over the course of a few weeks.
Her precious pup then began to show signs of depression: lethargy, loss of interest in normal activities, and a low whimper in the evenings. Chelsea knew something was wrong but didn’t know what. She also knew a visit to her veterinarian was needed ASAP.
At Chelsea’s appointment, her veterinarian immediately knew what these signs could mean - something more serious than a passing physical ailment. Her veterinarian recommended an MRI to get a better understanding of what was happening inside Fritz. Chelsea’s story is pretty common and definitely a reason to be concerned.
While foot-dragging and depression are a couple of things you may notice in your animal’s behavior, there are many more symptoms that you should be aware of. Any of these could indicate your pet needs an MRI:
Back pain
Seizures
Chronic nasal discharge
Oral tumors
Lameness or stiffness in the shoulder, elbow, or other joints
Unsteady gait
Circling, persistent head tiles, or other unusual behaviors
Your vet will help you make a decision based on the symptoms your pet is showing. And if not, you can call Sage Veterinary Imaging to talk about your pet’s specific situation. Our team of experts is ready to help you during a potentially stressful time. We will navigate the world of MRIs for dogs, and ultimately bring you clarity on the next steps.
Why would my dog need an MRI?
It should be said that an MRI for dogs is used for diagnosing more serious problems rather than regular check-ups for dogs in good health. Once other tests don’t bring any answers for why your pet is suffering, an MRI for dogs is commonly used to find more complex issues.[1]
Animals with neurological problems such as seizures or abnormal gait are usually referred to an MRI specialist to help rule out organic brain lesions. On the other hand, frustratingly, some MRI studies turn up nothing abnormal. However, we commonly see brain tumors, slipped discs, spine cancer, inner-ear infections, liver shunts, ACL tears, and a variety of joint injuries.
Whatever the case may be, if you’re worried, reach out to your regular veterinarian or an outpatient imaging center, such as Sage Veterinary Imaging, to get an expert opinion.
How an MRI Works
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most advanced imaging technique used in veterinary medicine. MRI for dogs provides detailed images of internal structures and reveals subtle abnormalities that cannot be identified with x-ray, radiographs, or CT scans.
In some disease processes, MRI is the only imaging technique that produces a clear diagnosis. It is also the safest imaging modality for an evaluation of the spinal cord. MRI is considered the gold standard of diagnostic imaging for diseases of the brain and spinal cord.[2]
Sage Veterinary Imaging uses this Philips 3T MRI to get answers for your pet.
MRI for pets works just like an MRI for humans. First, super-powerful magnets are turned on to create a magnetic field. If a patient is within this field, the protons in the patient will be forced to align with the magnetic field. Radio waves are then used during the scan and cause the atoms to move against the magnetic field.
Once the radio waves are turned off, all the atoms return to their original position and send signals back to the viewing monitor to create an image. This is where your radiologist will take a good look at what’s going on inside your pet. And if you’re wondering, MRI is considered safe and causes no harm to your pet. It’s a relatively easy process with the right team.
At Sage Veterinary Imaging, the images are acquired in roughly half the time, with twice the resolution compared to providers using an older technology. Our 3T MRI is the highest quality available anywhere in Utah, which means we can really see the problem clearly, and your pet spends less time under anesthesia.
Where can I find an MRI for dogs in Utah?
So how do you know what’s best for your pet when location, cost, and quality vary considerably between each provider? If you Google something like “where to get an MRI for my dog,” you will, unfortunately, find a lot of inaccurate information. Google will tell you that the most common types of veterinary MRI providers are:
Outpatient veterinary imaging centers (this is correct!)
Specialty veterinary hospitals (some have an MRI, but not all)
Small veterinary offices (none have an MRI)
In fact, we are not aware of any small vet clinics in the United States that have their own MRI machine, but Google will recommend these clinics anyway and waste your time. Each type of provider has pros and cons. See our Ultimate Guide to Ultrasound for a more in-depth review of the differences in veterinary imaging providers. But in a situation where you need answers (and fast), an outpatient imaging center is your best choice.
Many veterinary specialty hospitals have an MRI but do not have a board-certified radiologist on staff. In fact, these facilities have to send their images out to a teleradiology service and wait sometimes 24-48 hours to receive their recommendations.
At Sage Veterinary Imaging, our team is made up of board-certified radiologists, which you may not have access to with other types of providers. This is so important because you need someone who understands how to read images in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Our staff includes full-time dedicated radiologists who are involved in every MRI case from beginning to end.
The lobby at Sage Veterinary Imaging’s new clinic in Sandy, Utah.
Lastly, an outpatient imaging center like Sage Veterinary Imaging offers a lower total cost compared to visiting a specialty center. At our facilities, you don’t need to hospitalize your pet for days while they wait for imaging. You and your pet can usually get in for an MRI on the same day you call, especially if your case is a STAT.
How much does an MRI for dogs cost?
Many people wonder why their local vet clinic can’t offer MRI, and we will leave that topic for a blog post of its own, but it ultimately comes down to cost. A human-quality MRI machine costs between $1,500,000 and $2,500,000 to install! This also directly factors into the cost of your pet’s imaging.
Around the country, an MRI for dogs can range from $2,500 to $5,000. This depends on several factors like the complexity of the required images, the size of your dog, and whether any other tests are needed.[3]
The good news is that most pet insurance plans cover diagnostic imaging, making this service more affordable. 1 out of 3 pets will need emergency medical treatment in their lifetime, which is why many veterinarians recommend enrolling in pet insurance coverage sooner rather than later.[4] Consult with your veterinarian to learn more about the average cost of an MRI for dogs and find the right insurance plan that works for you.
MRI for Dogs at Sage Veterinary Imaging
At Sage Veterinary Imaging, MRI cost is comparable to the big specialty hospitals and even lower if you consider all the fees specialty hospitals add on. More importantly, Sage Veterinary Imaging produces higher quality and faster 3T MRI images than other providers.
Getting an answer and the right treatment for your pet is the most important thing to us. We get it - cost is often a deciding factor for you when it comes to veterinary care. It’s not easy to get a large bill when things are tight in your budget department and you just want your pet to feel better.
Bear in mind that a diagnosis provided by MRI often needs further treatment like surgery. In many cases, we actually discourage clients from spending their money on an MRI if we think surgery will be required and they have a limited budget.
The last thing we want to do is waste your money on imaging at the expense of future treatments. It just so happens that in many cases, good imaging is a requirement to go further with a treatment plan. It can be a difficult choice, but we are here to support you with the information you need.
Sage Veterinary Imaging in Utah
Sage Veterinary Imaging in Sandy, Utah is the only outpatient veterinary imaging center in Utah. We are a one-stop shop for imaging and diagnosis. MRIs with us are faster and easier than with other providers. Because no referral is needed and there’s very little paperwork, you save time and get a treatment plan right away.
You want state-of-the-art, high-tech imaging equipment so you get the best images available, with the most information. Knowledge is, indeed, power! Our MRI produces research-grade images that allow our radiologists to find and assess the problem with exceptional detail. Results go to you and your veterinarian so a treatment plan can be made.
Founder, Dr. Jaime Sage
Dr. Jaime Sage received her veterinary training at Texas A&M. After completing a radiology residency, she received further training as an MRI specialist with Patrick Gavin, Ph.D., DACVR/RO, one of the early pioneers of veterinary MRI.
Dr. Sage is currently president of the CT& MRI Society at the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) and has issued over 20,000 MRI reports in the past 15 years. She lectures frequently at meetings and conferences worldwide.
For more information on where to find diagnostic imaging for dogs in Utah or Utah, go to our Contact Us page to learn more.
References:
https://pawsandclawsanimalhospital.com/does-your-dog-need-an-mri/#:~:text=Most%20commonly%2C%20MRIs%20are%20used,the%20brain's%20covering%20(meninges).
https://www.medvetforpets.com/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri-dogs-cats/
https://sevneurology.com/blog/dog-mri-cost/#:~:text=Around%20the%20country%2C%20a%20dog,pet%20insurance%20plans%20cover%20imaging.
https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/what-is-pet-insurance/
