Radiography

A fluffy kitten and a golden puppy sit side by side on a plain white background, looking directly at the camera.

Gentle, Fast, and Accurate: How Digital Radiology Puts Your Pet First

At Crown Veterinary Specialists, we’re excited to offer digital radiology as part of our commitment to providing the best possible care for your pet. We understand how important your pet is to you—and that’s why we’re always looking for ways to improve the services we offer.

Our team is passionate about veterinary medicine and dedicated to continuous learning. By staying current with the latest advances in pet care, we’re able to offer treatments and diagnostics that are both effective and gentle, helping your pet feel better, faster.

We also believe that having the right tools makes all the difference. That’s why we’ve invested in advanced digital radiology technology—so we can quickly and accurately assess your pet’s health. These high-quality images allow us to get a clear look inside your pet’s body, often within seconds, without the need for invasive procedures.

An X-ray image showing a pelvic region, hip joints, and L marker on the left side for orientation.
A person in scrubs and gloves examines animal X-rays on a tablet, while holding a small animal in a veterinary clinic.

One of the greatest benefits of digital radiology is its speed and efficiency. If an image is too light or dark, we can adjust it instantly without needing to retake it. This means less stress for your pet, fewer delays, and in some cases, less need for sedation or anesthesia.

When a pet isn’t feeling well, we often recommend radiographs after bloodwork to help us understand what’s going on inside. In the past, exploratory surgery might have been the only option to get this information, but thanks to digital imaging, we can now gather crucial insights without putting your pet through unnecessary procedures.

Offering The Newest Technology

Our unit produces amazing images. They are clear and very helpful when we are diagnosing pets. By offering digital radiographs, our hospital is up to date with the best and newest technologies available in veterinary medicine.

Be sure to contact us today at (908) 236-4120, if you have any questions about our digital x-ray unit.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Placement of acupuncture needles is often painless, but can evoke a feeling of heaviness, or a slight cramp. Occasionally, placement may elicit a stronger response/reaction, however, readjustment of the needle often relieves any discomfort felt by your pet.

Most patients are extremely tolerant of acupuncture. Some patients are nervous for the first few sessions but often become more relaxed as they associate acupuncture with feeling better. Occasionally a pet will not tolerate acupuncture needle placement. In this case, acupressure or stimulation of acupuncture points with massage may be utilized.

A veterinary imaging specialist reviews your pet’s medical history and physical exam, explains which views are needed, and performs a focused radiographic study using digital X-ray technology. The goal is to produce high-quality images that lead to an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
X-rays are valuable for assessing bones, joints, the spine, chest (heart and lungs), and abdomen (stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, and bladder). They can also detect fractures, arthritis, lung conditions, blockages, and foreign objects. The images display varying shades of gray depending on tissue density, helping veterinarians pinpoint the problem.
Yes. We use advanced digital radiography systems that capture images quickly, provide excellent detail, and minimize exposure compared to traditional film X-rays. Digital images can be enhanced for better clarity and easily shared with your pet’s care team.
In many cases, sedation is not required. However, mild sedation may be recommended if positioning causes discomfort (for example, in cases of orthopedic pain) or if complete stillness is necessary for diagnostic accuracy. Sedation ensures comfort and produces clearer images.
Yes. Veterinary X-ray services follow strict safety protocols to minimize radiation exposure. The process is brief and carefully targeted. If your pet is pregnant or very young, the veterinarian will discuss potential risks and alternative imaging options.
X-rays are best for evaluating bones, lungs, and general organ outlines. Ultrasound provides more detail inside soft tissues, while CT and MRI scans offer advanced cross-sectional images for complex cases. Your veterinarian will determine which diagnostic tool or combination of tests will provide the most accurate results.
Digital images are available immediately. In most cases, a veterinary radiologist or your attending doctor interprets the results the same day. Findings are reviewed with you, and a written report is added to your pet’s medical record.
Yes. Our hospital offers on-site pet radiography with rapid image turnaround, expert interpretation, and direct coordination with your primary veterinarian for seamless care.
Most X-ray studies require no special preparation. For certain abdominal exams, fasting may be recommended to reduce gas and improve image quality. Bring any previous records or images to avoid duplicate exposures.
Sometimes. Follow-up X-rays may be needed to monitor healing after fractures, track progress in pneumonia treatment, or assess changes in chronic conditions. The timing depends on your pet’s diagnosis and recovery plan.
Yes. Our veterinary radiology team works with both dogs and cats, using gentle handling and customized positioning to reduce stress and ensure high-quality results.
Radiographs often provide the first step toward identifying a medical problem and guiding next steps in care, whether that involves medication, surgery, or additional imaging. Results are shared promptly with your pet’s medical team to support informed treatment decisions.