Pacific Northwest Pet Emergency & Specialty Center (PACWVETS)

WHAT IS AN MRI?

Just like humans, our pets can benefit from advanced imaging to diagnose a variety of conditions. MRI is the most powerful tool for assessing the spinal cord and brain in pets, helping vets pinpoint the root cause of neurologic symptoms. MRI is often needed to get a clear picture of your pet’s nervous system, especially when symptoms are caused by issues like brain tumors, strokes, intervertebral disc disease, or meningitis. This advanced imaging helps vets make more accurate diagnoses and provide better treatment options for your pet. MRI is preferred over other imaging types such as CT scans, as it can see through the bone of the skull better than CT can. It can detect tiny abnormalities (as small as 1-2mm!) that other scans might miss.

WHAT TO EXPECT - IS IT SAFE?

MRI uses no radiation, making it incredibly safe for your pet. It relies on a powerful magnet and radio frequency to generate images, meaning there’s no harm to your pet's body.

WILL MY PET BE AWAKE?

Since pets can’t lie still long enough for the scan, they’ll need to be under general anesthesia. Though small risks exist with any anesthetic procedure, these risks are low, and your pet will be closely monitored by a veterinary technician the whole time. We take appropriate steps to minimize risks based on each pet's medical history.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Once under anesthesia, the MRI scan typically takes 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the area being scanned. The results are often available the same day.

PREPARING FOR YOUR PET’S MRI

THE NIGHT BEFORE:

Fast your pet before their appointment, this means no food after 10 PM.

Water is fine to continue.

THE DAY OF:

Administer any scheduled morning medications, ideally without food if possible. If food is needed then administer the smallest amount possible.

The schedule for MRIs for the day is based on how emergent each pet’s needs are, so we can provide a time estimate the day of the MRI but plan for your pet to spend the day with us at the hospital.

We will call with initial results after the MRI and with any additional recommendations.