Dog Xray Cost
A dog x-ray is a common diagnostic tool that can be used to check for stomach obstructions, tumors, and pregnancy stages. Using an x-ray machine the veterinarian will take pictures of your pet’s innards which reveal any abnormalities they may have such as fractures or broken bones. In addition, a vet could count how many puppies are in the belly with this advanced technology.
According to the American Kennel Club, a dog x-ray can be used for many purposes including checking abnormalities in organs and bones.
How much does a dog x-ray cost?
A complete series of dog x-rays will cost somewhere between $90 and in some cases over $350. If the dog were to need a mild sedative, the x-ray will end up costing as much as $400.
The price for canine X Rays is determined by many different aspects that include: the size of the animal being examined; the area needing x rayed; the number of x-rays needed per examination; the veterinarian performing examination; whether anesthesia was given during this procedure.
Dog Forum members have been sharing stories about how much they paid for x-rays, and it seems to be a mixed bag. One member asked if anyone knew what the going rate is these days because he was quoted $375 with sedation included, but another member said they were quoted close to $500.
Details on dog x-rays
An x-ray is an extremely important tool for a veterinarian’s patient examination. An abdominal x-ray may reveal the cause of intestinal obstruction or show any foreign material in their stomach that could be causing problems. X-rays can also confirm bladder stones if they are present and help to identify tumors, fractures, abscesses, arthritis, and more. Vets can check for signs of cancer, heart disease, and/or lung diseases. They’ll also be able to rule out any types of fractures if your dog was in a recent car accident or suffered any major trauma.
You might also like our articles about the cost of dog c-section, cytopoint injection, or entropion surgery.
An X-ray diagnosis can tell more than you might think about your dog’s health; it also reveals if the animal inherited and is suffering from any disorders such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and other related problems with his bones Oftentimes breeders will get this information BEFORE selling the puppy so potential buyers know what type of animal they are purchasing.
Any additional expenses to expect?
If you need to see a vet in the most urgent of situations, then it is possible for your pet’s appointment fee to be as much as 50% higher than if they were seen for a normal consultation.
When a dog needs to be sedated and/or anesthesia may be required for an x-ray, the price tag can really add up. Sedation will usually be needed when dogs are nervous or require special positioning for the x-ray to capture the needed images. You may also need to sedate your dog if it does not cooperate with the x-ray process. The additional cost for this will be around $75-$150, depending on what size of your dog. Keep in mind most dogs won’t require any sort of medication and can easily be cooperative during an exam as long as they have been properly trained beforehand.
A barium x-ray, also known as an esophagogram or a stomach series is used to diagnose what the vet cannot see from examining your pet. This can include tumors and polyps which are found in the gut lining and ulcers on either side of it. The cost for this type of exam may be higher than other types because they need a special formula mixed with liquids that will show up brightly while being scanned by X-rays.
When you take your pet to the vet, it’s often important for them to get a blood test in addition to an x-ray. Depending on their office policy regarding billing costs and the geographical location, this can be anywhere from $50-$100. Also, most veterinary visits will cost about $45-$65 for the consultation alone, even if no other tests will have to be done, other than visual consultation.
The vet might suggest a CT, MRI, and/or ultrasound to further inspect an issue if the x-ray doesn’t produce the expected results. Some ailments that can be detected with these tests include abdominal diseases which are undetectable in x-rays. A CT scan takes rapid images of body parts while still presenting them as cross-sections like an X-ray does but it also has three-dimensional capabilities so doctors will get more information about your pet’s health than they would otherwise have had access to.
Lastly, an MRI will use a magnetic field and radio waves to generate images of the tissue. It’s ideal for picking up any changes in your body as it is able to detect changes inside tissues that may not be visible on ultrasound or X-rays.
Important things to consider
An x-ray can sometimes be ineffective at finding a tumor or object in the stomach of an animal. For example, some tumors may not show up if their colors blend with other tissue on the body, and objects swallowed by dogs are usually too small for x-rays to detect.
Is there any way to spend less?
The best way to find a cheap veterinarian is by calling around. While it might be tempting to stick with your vet, there are many others in the area that may have good prices for specific services. Get quotes from different vets and see which one suits you better.
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