What does a dog chest x ray show

Adrienne is a certified dog trainer and former veterinarian assistant who partners with some of the best veterinarians worldwide.

X-ray of a Yorkshire terrier. Black arrows show an area where the trachea has collapsed.

Kalumet via Wikimedia Commons (CC-SA-3.0)

How Much Are Dog X-Rays?

So your vet has ordered x-rays for your dog and you are wondering what to expect and how much they will cost.

X-rays are a very helpful tool in veterinarians' investigative work. They show internal structures, so vets can quickly diagnose many conditions that they can't see by just looking at an animal.

X-rays can provide pictures of tissues, organs, bones, and foreign objects like swallowed items or bladder stones. Read on to learn more about what they are used for and how much they cost.

What X-Rays Can Help Diagnose in Dogs

Abdominal x-rays are an effective tool for diagnosing various conditions.

• They allow a vet to see a foreign object in the stomach or abdomen and pinpoint the cause of an intestinal obstruction.
• They allow a vet to see bladder stones.
• The shapes and outlines of organs can give clues to the causes of problems.
• X-rays can discover tumors in the chest or abdomen.
• They can show pregnancy (once the mother dog is six weeks pregnant) and even allow a vet to estimate the number of puppies.
• Chest x-rays are very helpful to check for signs of cancer spreading to the lungs or other organs.
• They may help diagnose suspected heart or lung disease.
• They are also a must for pets suffering injuries from major trauma such as being hit by a car to rule out hidden rib fractures or the presence of air in the chest cavity.
• X-rays also help diagnose many orthopedic issues in animals: fractures and bone deformations are usually easy to see.
• X-rays reveal hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and many other orthopedic disorders, some of which are inherited.
• Breeders often resort to such imaging results in order to get their dogs certified by OFA as breeding specimens.
• When my dog was diagnosed with valley fever, x-rays were able to show that the disease had caused lesions in the bones of the dog’s paw.
• Abdominal X-rays with barium can help make tumors, polyps and ulcers visible. The barium works by making the inner portion of the esophagus and stomach easier to see. Once the dog ingests the barium "milkshake,” the barium moves through the intestinal tract, where it coats the surfaces making them appear white and easier to detect on a series of x-rays.

Some Things X-Rays Aren’t Good For

As many things x-rays may reveal, they are not perfect. Following are several circumstances where x-rays won't be helpful.

• X-rays can't "see" some materials. Some tumors may not be seen because their colors blend in with other tissues, and plastic objects swallowed and stuck inside the dog's stomach may sometimes go unseen.
• They can't "see" some areas of the dog's body very well. For instance, according to VCA Animal Hospital, the brain, the inner structure of the heart, the lungs, the bladder, several joints, and some abdominal organs can be better seen using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound.

And, of course, if your dog needs emergency treatment, that treatment has to take priority over any x-ray.

Will My Dog Need Sedation or Anesthesia for an X-Ray?

Most pets will not require sedation or anesthesia for abdominal x-rays. The technician will simply put the dog on its side or its back as pictures are taken.

However, if the dog is particularly fractious, or is in too much pain to hold still, or the x-ray has to be taken in an uncomfortable position to get a quality image, the dog may need sedation or light anesthesia.

For instance, in the case of a torn cruciate ligament, the vet may decide to use sedation so the dog can stay still for the x-rays and drawer test, and so the muscles are relaxed, making diagnosis easier.

X-rays of the skull, oral cavity, and spine are also tricky to do, and sedation is often necessary.

Posterior (rear) view hip x-ray of a 60-pound golden retriever/poodle dog.

By Gvolk (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Co

Are X-Rays Bad for Dogs?

There's a good reason your vet will not allow you to be with your dog when x-rays are taken. And there's a good reason radiology personnel wear protective shields when your dog is x-rayed. X-rays can be harmful when you're exposed to much!

According to Dogs Naturally Magazine, x-rays account for only 18 percent of our dogs' exposure to radiation; the rest comes from the food and water we feed them, the air they breathe, and the ground they walk on.

But radiation—whatever the source, x-rays or the environment—can have a cumulative effect that leads to an increased risk of cancer and birth defects. Young animals are particularly susceptible to radiation.

However, in many cases, the importance of diagnosis highly outweighs the slight increase in radiation. This applies to both humans and dogs.

Use of X-Rays in Pregnant Dogs

It's a common practice for vets to x-ray pregnant dogs to see how many puppies the mom is expecting. The general belief is that it's safe after the puppies have reached a certain stage of development, generally at least 45 days old. But not everyone thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.

Humans don't make a practice of exposing pregnant women to unnecessary x-rays, so people ask why we make a practice of this for dogs when the main purpose is just to know if a dog is pregnant or to get a puppy count before whelping.

Thus, the use of x-rays, in this case, remains controversial. Several breeders attest that x-rays are helpful; for example, when the mother dog whelps, the breeder knows if there's another pup inside, thanks to the x-ray.

But some think x-rays should be used mostly as a diagnostic tool for illnesses, and pregnancy is not an illness.

Some say they are more beneficial if used only when there are signs of trouble after whelping, a case where the benefits outweigh the risks.

Alternatives to X-Rays For Detecting Dog Pregnancy

There are alternatives to x-rays for getting information about a pregnancy. If you are just wondering if your dog is expecting puppies, your vet can palpate the mother dog's abdomen as early as 28 days. Don't try to do this at home; it takes a special, delicate touch, and the vet knows best how to detect puppies without harming them.

Even better, at 21 days you can have an ultrasound done, and this will give you a rough idea of the litter size.

Ultrasound is for sure a safer option, even though it might not be as accurate as an x-ray when it comes to litter size, and it may be quite expensive.

Beneficial For Dogs Predisposed to Difficult Births

X-rays though still have their place when it comes to pregnancies, especially in dog breeds known for having difficult births. Knowing in advance how many puppies are expected (by counting the skeletons through x-ray) prior to whelping, can help dog owners know whether the mother dog is done giving birth or whether there's still a puppy inside.

X-rays to determine pregnancy can be done at least day 45 after the first breeding. This is the necessary time needed for the puppy bones to have been ossified enough to get a good X-ray.

Can I See My Dog's X-Rays?

Most vets will show you your dog's x-rays and discuss their findings with you. Other times, the vet may send the images to a specialist to review. Because you have paid for the x-rays, you have a right to see them and review them, but you may have to pay additional money to get a copy of them.

Legally, x-rays belong to your dog's medical records, and as such must be kept on file by the veterinarian's office.

How Much Will It Cost to Get X-Rays of My Dog?

The costs of dog x-rays vary depending on several factors. This means that you will have to consider some variables that may increase or decrease the costs. Following are several factors:

• Whether your dog needs sedation or anesthesia
• The number of views needed to get a clear picture of the problem
• The type of x-rays (regular versus the more modern digital)
• Your location (prices vary widely from one place and another)
• The type of facility. Generally, x-rays are much cheaper at the vet's office Emergency animal hospitals may charge twice as much
• The type of sedation used and the size of your dog

Average Prices for Dog X-rays in 2021

One x-ray may cost anywhere between $150 to $180. Any additional radiographs are approximately $90 to $100.

The cost increases significantly if sedation is necessary. The cost for sedation varies based on the size of the dog, with larger dogs costing more compared to smaller dogs. This is due to the fact that, the larger the dog, the more sedation is needed.

Expect to pay around $50 to $75 for sedating small dogs and up to $200 for sedating large dogs, however, consider that pricing may be in the upper end if certain types of sedatives are used.

For example, Dexdomitor (dexmedetomidine hydrochloride) is usually given in conjunction with an opioid and then must be reversed with a reversal agent once the x-rays are taken. This requires a total of 3 injections, making the cost higher than other sedation options.

A bariums study with x-rays will cost more since it's a more complex procedure requiring several x-rays. Expect this to cost around $300 to $400.

These numbers do not include the office visit itself, which may range between $45 to $75 for a regular visit. Emergency visits will cost much more, usually anywhere between $150 and $ 250.

As you can see, the prices for x-rays vary based on several factors. If you are looking for an exact price, your best bet is to call around for different price quotes. Most receptionists should give the prices out with no problems.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Questions & Answers

Question: How are brain tumors in dogs discovered?

Answer: An MRI, that is, magnetic resonance imaging, is the best imaging option to distinguish brain tumor from other etiologies, but it can sometimes provide equivocal results. In those cases, a CT scan with dye may be needed to clarify the etiology. Now, the issue with MRIs is that they can be rather costly (like we're talking roughly $4,000) so many dog owners decide to just monitor their dogs unless they have a good pet insurance to help cover costs.

Question: Can X-rays reveal soft tissue injuries in dogs?

Answer: X-rays are good in showing bones and therefore fractures, dislocations and arthritic changes such as bone spurs, but injury to soft tissue is not picked up on x ray. So if say an x ray is done on a dog who sustained some time ago an ACL tear of the knee ligament, the x-ray will not show the ACL tear itself but might show problems in the knee such as arthritic changes derived from the laxity of the joint.

Injuries to cartilage, ligaments, tendons, muscles are best seen on MRI scans. This is likely why soft tissue injuries in dogs are underdiagnosed and often go undetected.

Question: Can an X-ray definitely diagnose a cruciate ligament injury in a dog?

Answer: A definite diagnosis of an ACL tear is a combination of clinical findings, a Drawer test (done under sedation) and imaging examinations.

Question: Can an x-ray diagnose cancer in my dog?

Answer: Yes, for certain types of cancer x-rays can be helpful. For example, bone cancer produces some typical patterns (starburst pattern, Codman triangle) that are often readily recognizable by the vet. X-rays are also used to check for signs of cancer spread. My dog has spleen cancer and chest x-rays showed that cancer didn't show signs of spreading to the lungs. However, there can be microscopic spread going on that is not noticeable yet.

Question: If a dog needs a cast after an x-ray, will they do it the same day as the x-ray?

Answer: Usually, if the x-ray reveals a fracture, yes, the vet will cast it the same day if a cast is warranted. Make sure to ask your vet how often the cast needs to be changed.

© 2014 Adrienne Farricelli

Comments

Adrienne Farricelli (author) on June 20, 2020:

Hi Hariah, are you asking about how to get a copy of your dog's x-rays from your veterinarian?

Hariah on May 27, 2020:

Aloha how can i get a poster of the dog rays

Adrienne Farricelli (author) on October 26, 2019:

Hi Lily, I think it would be in your dog's best interest having the workup done just to make sure there are no underlying health problems that may impact the anesthesia/procedure.

Lily on October 25, 2019:

My dogs teeth are very very very very bad they all have to come out I’ve been to an oral surgeon he wants a thoracic x-ray and a work up I can do the x-ray but the work up is very expensive is it necessary she has a collapsed trachea and a bit of a heart murmur and she’s a 7 1/2 pound toy poodle

Christina on June 15, 2019:

I wish I had read this sooner. My 1-1/2yr old lab mix has been having a lot of back pain. Vet prescribed NSAIDS and a daily supplement. He's been in pain a lot recently. Got an appt for back x-rays quoted at $800 for Monday morning. He's 80+lbs. Around my area other vet's won't see your pet unless they are a patient so I never thought to call around.

Adrienne Farricelli (author) on December 09, 2017:

Sema, to find cheaper x-rays for your dog, all you can do is call around several clinincs and ask for their specific dog x-rays pricing.

Sema on September 06, 2017:

Where do we find cheaper x-ray for our dog? We adopted him one week ago. He did surgery one month ago. He broken rear leg and we must check its leg up.

Adrienne Farricelli (author) on September 03, 2017:

The price of the x-rays appears to be within the norm, but in the higher end. One x-ray may cost anywhere between $40 and $125; additional x-rays may range from $20 to $75. would contact the veterinary office manager and say that you wish to see the x-rays and listen to your vet's interpretation of them.

Jane on August 27, 2017:

She had x-rays done for my small dog for possible gall stones.

Two views of x-rays were $150 in the vet's office. No sedation was required. Cost of the x-ray seems a bit high. I asked to see the x-ray but they refused to show it to me. What should I do?

Stephanie on October 13, 2016:

I took my7 yr old dog in to the ER with breathing problems. I was told he needed an x Ray to determine what could be wrong.. I don't fully understand. Is it ok to sedate a dog with breathing issues?? Are there bigger riskes when this is the case?? Also how long does it take for them to wake up?

Adrienne Farricelli (author) on May 30, 2016:

That's interesting. Curious about the reasons why the esophagus would not show.

Frances depaolo on May 30, 2016:

My dog Lexi had an X-ray but it didn't show her esophagus. The er said it could be for different reasons.

Adrienne Farricelli (author) on August 22, 2014:

Thanks for the votes up. Sounds like those x-rays really helped for peace of mind , thankfully there was nothing. The x-rays my dogs had so far were when my male Rottie got Valley Fever and we had to see if the lungs and bones were affected, and when my female Rottie got a torn ligament in her knee. In both cases, they definitively helped with the diagnosis.

Jaye Denman from Deep South, USA on August 22, 2014:

When my dog was an adolescent and would eat anything she found on the floor, I had reason to think she may have swallowed one or more small nails that fell on the kitchen floor during repairs. Although I didn't see her do it, she'd had the opportunity for a couple of minutes before I removed her from the scene. I just didn't want to take a chance on her intestines becoming perforated, so I rushed her to the vet's for an x-ray. Thankfully, there was no sign of metal in her abdomen. That's the only x-ray she's ever had. It gave me peace of mind.

Voted Up++

Jaye