Radiography
Advanced Radiography for Accurate Pet Diagnosis
Our digital X-ray services provide fast, detailed imaging to help diagnose injuries, illnesses, and internal conditions—ensuring your pet receives timely and targeted care.
Pet X-Rays and Radiography at Belmont Vet
Our fully equipped veterinary hospital offers advanced radiography (X-rays) to assist in diagnosing a wide range of health issues in pets. If your pet is unwell or injured, our experienced veterinarians will first perform a thorough physical examination and discuss your pet’s symptoms to determine whether radiographs are needed.
X-rays are a vital diagnostic tool, especially for detecting conditions affecting the bones, chest, or abdomen. They help us visualise internal structures quickly and non-invasively, so we can provide accurate diagnoses and effective treatment.
Pet Radiography: What You Need to Know
What happens to my pet when it is booked in for radiographs?
Most pets are admitted to our hospital for the day to have radiographs (X-rays) taken, unless it’s an emergency—then we act immediately. To ensure clear, high-quality images, we usually sedate or anaesthetise pets during the procedure. For this reason, we ask that you bring your pet in fasted (no food) on the morning of admission.
Once the X-rays are complete, we’ll contact you to either discuss the results over the phone or book a consultation. Our veterinarians will review the images with you, explain the diagnosis, and outline the best treatment plan for your pet.
Why do pets need to be sedated or anaesthetised to have radiographs taken?
When humans have X-rays, we’re asked to stay completely still—sometimes in awkward positions—to ensure clear images. Pets, however, can’t be expected to lie still or stay in the exact position needed for accurate radiographs. That’s why sedation or anaesthesia is often required. It allows us to capture high-quality images that help us diagnose your pet’s condition safely and effectively.
How are radiographs made?
Taking a radiograph is similar to taking a photograph—but instead of light, we use X-rays. Different tissues in your pet’s body absorb X-rays at different levels, which creates the contrast seen on the image.
Bones absorb the most X-rays and appear white on the radiograph. Soft tissues—like the heart, liver, and kidneys—absorb less, showing up in varying shades of grey. Air-filled areas, such as the lungs, absorb very few X-rays, which is why they appear dark grey or black.
When your pet goes home, our team will explain the radiographs and walk you through what we see and what it means for your pet’s health.