CT Information for Pet OwnersCT scans are now available for pets from Cairns & the Far North

Computed tomography or CT is a form of advanced imaging. It creates a 3D model of structures in the body using a computer-enhanced x-ray procedure. CT can be used to investigate internal issues of the head and neck, spinal cord, various types of cancer, bone or orthopaedic conditions, internal injuries, foreign bodies, abnormal vasculature, deep tissue infections and more.

We have used our CT to diagnose hip dysplasia, nasal tumours, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), spinal damage, jaw problems like tempormandibular junction (TMJ) dysfunction, and skull fractures. We’ve also used this type of technology to rule out brain tumours in epilepsy patients and portosystemic shunts in patients with liver problems.

If your primary care veterinarian has recommended a CT, Emergency Vets 24/7 has the only dedicated CT facility in Cairns with animal-specific anaesthetic equipment and fully certified vets and nurses already onsite.

All CT scans are performed under a short general anaesthetic. More information about the process is below.

Safety is our priority

Our goal is to provide a safe and stress-free experience for your pet. Studies have shown that without a controlled general anaesthetic, CT scans are less likely to yield a diagnosis. All CT patients at Emergency Vets 24/7 undergo a light general anaesthetic, so we can safely obtain the best images possible. Our experienced veterinarians and veterinary nurses will administer and monitor the anaesthetic in our purpose-built animal CT facility, inside our veterinary hospital.

Once the CT scan is complete, images are sent via telemedicine to a specialist in veterinary imaging. They provide a full written diagnostic report, and your primary care veterinarian will receive this report within 2 working days.

Please make an appointment with your primary care vet to discuss the results and plan ongoing treatment.

How it works

Images are best on an empty stomach, so we ask all pet owners to withhold food for 6 to 12 hours before the CT scan
For routine scans admission is on Tuesday morning, with same day discharge in the afternoon
Urgent or emergency scans can be arranged at different times
We can perform preanaesthetic blood tests for kidney function and electrolytes as well as hydration levels, and we share these with your primary care vet
Blood test results are used to assess anaesthetic risk and to tailor an anaesthetic plan to each patient
You & your pet will meet your dedicated CT nurse at the admission appointment
Your nurse will answer questions and talk you through our CT information sheet and consent form
Your CT nurse will then admit your pet and follow them throughout the procedure from start to finish
Physical examination, anaesthesia & recovery is managed by a dedicated veterinarian & and veterinary nurse team

Costs & inclusions

The cost of a dog or cat CT in Cairns is a lot less than it used to be. Since we installed our new facility, we can offer the most affordable pet CT and we believe it’s also the safest option available in Cairns. All of our equipment is customised for animals, and your pet will have their own dedicated CT nurse for the duration of their stay with us.

Our CT fee includes images from single region (eg chest), a specialist imaging report, anaesthesia, IV contrast, hospitalisation & GST. Dedicated nursing care, patient monitoring and cuddles are all part of the experience.

The total cost for a single region scan is $1947, with additional regions $597 each. This routine scan is sufficient for most patients. For complex cases, a full body scan can be arranged for $3,738.

If your pet hasn’t had recent blood tests, we can perform a preanaesthetic panel for a small additional cost. This gives everyone peace of mind and helps us with a safe anaesthesia plan.

Getting results

The diagnostic imaging report is generated by an external veterinary specialist and will be available to your primary care vet within 2 business days. The report is sent electronically to speed up the process.

Our regular CT scanning day is a Tuesday, which means that most results are available by Wednesday or Thursday.

Please make an appointment with your referring veterinarian to make an appointment so you can discuss results and make a treatment plan together. Results go straight to your primary care vet.

Does your pet need a CT? Talk to us.

If you suspect your pet needs advanced imaging like a CT scan, you’re welcome to contact us using this form. This is a way for us to arrange a scan if you have concerns about your pet’s health but you don’t have a referral from your vet.

Prior to scanning, we’ll invite you and your pet to attend an Urgent Care consultation ($180). This helps us determine whether a CT will benefit your pet, and it also gives us an opportunity to perform a full physical examination. We can arrange CT scans for all our patients – usually quite quickly.

Note that if your pet has already been admitted as a patient and is receiving treatment in our hospital, no additional consultation or referral is required.

Fill out the form below and one of our team members will get in touch with you directly.

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If your pet has a suspected illness or problem that might benefit from advanced imaging, please add those details here.
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We work together with primary care vets to provide the best ongoing care for your pet.
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