Unlike people, your animal can't tell us where it hurts. If common diagnostic procedures have failed to provide an answer, your animal may need an MRI. Knowing the cause of your pet's ailment can help you and your veterinarian decide what to do next. Many patients have gone on to successful surgery and have resumed an active life. In some cases, nothing further can be done to help the animal, but the owner has peace of mind that everything reasonable has been done. Here are some common themes we see in animals that are indicated for MRI:

Unusual changes in behavior such as circling, persistent head tilt, or depression
Seizures
Unsteady gait
Foot dragging
Back pain
Lameness of shoulder or knee
Chronic nasal discharge
Oral tumors
Cancer surgery planning to define the margins of a tumor
Pre-surgical check for metastatic disease

CT and MRI are used for two very different purposes. CT is better for imaging bone structures, while MRI is superior for evaluating brain or spinal abnormalities, cancer staging, soft tissue imaging of muscle, and locating the cause of certain orthopedic disease

MRI scanners have been safely used in animals and people for years. MRI uses strong magnetic fields to form images. Magnetic fields can interrupt the function of pacemakers but are otherwise harmless. MRI studies should be avoided in patients with pacemakers.

Anesthesia is usually necessary for CT and MR imaging procedures, as the patient must stay perfectly still for several minutes to acquire a good quality scan. The risks of anesthesia are generally low but vary with the age and individual medical state of the patient. We minimize anesthesia risks by choosing the safest methods possible and providing state-of-the-art anesthesia and monitoring equipment operated by experienced personnel.