What To Expect From an MRI Scan for Your Pet
Apr 11, 2025
MRI scans can sound intimidating, especially when they involve your furry friends. These machines, however, detect any health concerns that your veterinarian won’t be able to see with the naked eye. If you have an upcoming appointment, learn about what to expect from an MRI scan for your pet to prepare for the procedure.
Why Does Your Pet Need an MRI?
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan allows veterinarians to get a detailed look at your pet’s body, especially bodily areas of soft tissues like the brain, muscles, and joints. Vets often recommend this advanced diagnostic tool to evaluate conditions that they can’t fully understand through X-rays or ultrasounds, such as neurological issues, injuries, or illnesses. With these scans, they can often diagnose any lingering concerns and offer treatment options quickly and efficiently.
Preparing Your Pet for the Scan
Before the MRI scan, you can expect your vet to ask you to withhold food and water from your pet for a few hours. This prevents complications if your pet needs sedation during the procedure.
If they have any pre-existing medical conditions, share this information with the vet in advance. This way, they can provide the resources necessary to make your pet feel comfortable in the MRI machine.
Sedation and Safety Measures
Since the machine requires that your pet remains completely still during the MRI scan, sedation is usually necessary. While this may be a concern for some owners, specialists will carefully monitor the process to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort throughout the scan.
The Role of Technology
MRI machines produce powerful magnetic fields to create detailed images of your pet’s internal structures. MRI scans use medical DC/DC converters for a smooth and safe experience, giving veterinarians the precision they need to diagnose complex conditions. With the help of these technological advancements, these specialists can successfully determine the diagnosis and offer the treatment your pet needs for a healthy recovery.
The Scan Duration
The MRI itself takes anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on the type of scan. While it might seem like a long time, rest assured that the veterinary team will monitor your pet closely every step of the way.
After the Scan
Once the scan is complete, your pet will wake up from sedation. They might feel a bit groggy for a few hours, so make sure you give them a calm and comfortable space to recover. The vet will share the results with you and discuss the next steps.
Any visit to the veterinarian can be stressful for your pets, so be mindful of their emotions when you enter the office for the MRI scan. Hold them in your arms or place them comfortably in their pet carrier as you sign paperwork and meet with the doctor. Once you’re done with their visit, reward your pets for their good behavior and rest easy knowing they’re getting the proper treatment they need.
Disclaimer: healthcareforpets.com and its team of veterinarians and clinicians do not endorse any products, services, or recommended advice. All advice presented by our veterinarians, clinicians, tools, resources, etc is not meant to replace a regular physical exam and consultation with your primary veterinarian or other clinicians. We always encourage you to seek medical advice from your regular veterinarian.
