Clearer Views, Better Care: Why Imaging Quality Matters For Your Pet’s Health

May 22, 2025

When a pet doesn’t seem like itself — maybe it’s limping, behaving oddly, or seems to just not feel right — getting answers quickly and accurately can make all the difference. However, some issues are hidden deep inside the body, beyond the reach of a physical exam or basic X-ray.

That’s where advanced imaging tools such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) come in. These technologies give veterinarians a closer, more detailed look inside a pet’s body, helping them spot problems that might otherwise be missed.

Dr. Sydney Gibson, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, shares what pet owners need to know about these powerful tools and why image quality can directly impact your pet’s outcome.

Different Tools, Different Strengths

MRI and CT are advanced imaging methods that produce detailed internal pictures, helping veterinarians find problems that first-line tools like radiography or ultrasound may miss. Because MRI and CT have become more widely available, understanding the differences between them can help pet owners make more informed decisions about their pet’s care.

“Both MRI and CT are cross-sectional imaging modalities, meaning that images are acquired in visual slices throughout the area of interest,” Gibson said.

Think of it like a sliced loaf of bread — each slice reveals a thin layer of the body, and when stacked together, they create a detailed 3D image.

While both tools produce detailed, cross-sectional images, they work in different ways and are better suited for certain areas of the body.

“Instead of using radiation, MRI uses a large, powerful magnet and radio waves to cause subatomic particles called protons to produce signals,” Gibson said. “The machine then uses those signals to create detailed pictures of the body. In contrast, CT creates images using X-rays taken from multiple angles.” 

MRI is especially helpful for looking at the brain, spinal cord, and musculoskeletal structures like joints, tendons, and ligaments. CT, on the other hand, is often better for viewing the chest, abdomen, and bones.

“However, MRI can also evaluate bone lesions and CT can also evaluate the brain, spinal cord, and musculoskeletal structures,” Gibson said.

Veterinarians weigh many factors when deciding which scan is best for each pet. MRI takes longer, always requires anesthesia, and isn’t safe for patients with metal implants or foreign objects in their body. CT is faster, may only need sedation, and often costs less.

Why Imaging Quality Matters

Not all imaging tools are the same. The clarity, detail, and resolution of MRI and CT scans depend heavily on the equipment used, how it’s maintained, and the expertise of the veterinary team operating it.

“MRI is characterized as low-field or high-field in reference to the magnetic field strength,” Gibson said. “High-field MRI systems produce higher quality images with better resolution.”

Low-field MRIs can still be useful in some cases — but they have limitations, including poorer resolution, longer scan times, and fewer specialized imaging sequences (techniques used to acquire different types of imaging).

The same goes for CT machines.

Conventional, or fan-beam, CT uses a wide, fan-shaped beam of X-rays to take multiple, thin slices of the body in a spiral, while a cone-beam CT uses a cone-shaped beam.

Although fan-beam CT sometimes requires longer scan times and higher radiation doses compared to cone-beam CT, cone-beam CT is more prone to artifacts (image imperfections).

“Fan-beam CT produces the highest quality images for most scenarios and is best for the majority of veterinary applications,” Gibson said. “Cone-beam systems have the best utility in dentistry applications and imaging of small exotic species and pocket pets.”

Higher-quality machines help veterinarians make faster, more accurate diagnoses, which can lead to quicker treatment and better outcomes. Lower-quality images may miss critical details or require repeat scans.

Although low-field or cone-beam studies may be priced slightly lower than studies from higher quality units, they may require repeat studies, which can result in an overall increased cost to the client.

Getting The Best Care For Your Pet

Pet owners don’t need to be imaging experts, but understanding the basics — and asking the right questions — can help ensure a pet receives the best care possible.

“Don’t hesitate to ask questions,” Gibson said. “Someone at the practice will likely be able to provide more information as to what imaging equipment they have available.”

In some cases, your regular veterinarian may recommend seeing a veterinary specialist to help determine which imaging method is best.

“Pet owners should work with their veterinarian to understand the goal of the imaging study and decide which modality — or combination of modalities — makes the most sense,” Gibson said.

As advanced tools like MRI and CT become more widely available, they’re helping veterinarians provide even better care.

“It’s such a gift that advanced imaging is becoming more accessible for our animal patients,” Gibson said. “These tools not only give us better answers but also help us improve how we interpret first line imaging methods like X-rays and ultrasound.”

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to vmbs-editor@tamu.edu.

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