What Can a CT Scan Do for Your Pet?

Our CT scanner provides rapid, high-resolution, cross-sectional images that allow our veterinarians to diagnose complex medical conditions with accuracy and speed. It's an invaluable tool in modern veterinary care and is especially useful for:

• Spinal Cord Analysis
  Diagnosing spinal injuries and diseases such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
• Head, Neck & Brain Imaging
  Identifying tumours, trauma, infections, foreign bodies (like stick fragments), middle ear disease, and dental or jaw abnormalities.
• Thoracic & Abdominal Imaging
  Visualising the chest and abdominal cavities to diagnose tumours, fluid build-up, organ disease, and other internal abnormalities.
• Bone & Orthopaedic Evaluation
  Perfect for assessing bone cancers, growth deformities (e.g. elbow dysplasia), joint health, and fracture planning.
• Congenital Condition Assessment
  Detecting portosystemic shunts and urinary tract abnormalities in young or symptomatic pets.

Why CT Scans for Pets Cost More Than for People

Many owners are surprised to find that veterinary CT scans are not as inexpensive as those in human hospitals. This is due to two key reasons:

1. No Government Subsidies: In Australia, human medical imaging is often covered by Medicare or other government programs. These subsidies do not extend to veterinary medicine.

2. Anaesthesia Requirements: Most pets must be anaesthetised for CT scans to remain completely still. This adds cost for the anaesthetic drugs, monitoring equipment, veterinary staff, and recovery care.

For this reason, we highly recommend pet insurance to help manage costs for advanced procedures like CT scans.

CT Imaging Costs

• Dogs and Cats: From $1400

• Exotic Species (e.g. rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles): From $580

• Specialist Interpretation (Optional): From $400

A detailed quote will be provided before the procedure based on your pet's individual needs.

Benefits of Our CT Scanner

• High-Resolution Images: Clear and accurate diagnostic insights
• Fast Scans: Shorter anaesthetic times = safer for your pet
• Non-Invasive Diagnostics: Avoid exploratory surgery in many cases
• Wide Species Capability: Safe for exotic pets as well as cats and dogs
• Better Planning: Ideal for guiding surgical or medical treatment

Referrals from Other Vets

We welcome referrals from external veterinary clinics. If you're a vet seeking CT imaging for a patient, or a pet owner with a vet recommendation, we're here to assist. We'll work closely with your primary veterinarian to ensure seamless care and timely results.

Book a CT Scan or Learn More

📞 Contact us at (02) 4571 2042 or email info@northrichmondvet.com.au to discuss whether a CT scan is right for your pet.

At North Richmond Vet Hospital, we’re committed to providing advanced, compassionate care—backed by technology that makes a real difference in diagnosis and treatment.