Whether your dog just ate something mysterious off the sidewalk or your cat is suddenly struggling to breathe, when your pet is sick or injured, you want answers — fast. In many veterinary settings, you may have to wait hours or even days to get an ultrasound or diagnostic results.

At VEG ER for Pets, we won’t make you wait. At our emergency animal hospitals, we assess your pet the moment you walk through the door, perform imaging services like ultrasounds and x-rays right on the spot, and usually have detailed results in under an hour. Because our radiology services are available 24/7, even on weekends and holidays, you never have to watch the clock when your pet needs help. Plus, you can stay right by your pet’s side the whole time, so everyone stays calm and comfortable while our expert veterinarians and technicians do their thing.

Why diagnostic imaging matters in pet emergencies

When a pet is sick or injured, diagnostic imaging can help emergency veterinarians quickly identify the cause. Two of the most common imaging tools used in veterinary emergency medicine are ultrasound and x-rays. While both allow veterinarians to look inside the body without surgery, each provides different types of information. 

Bring your pet into your nearest VEG location if they are experiencing any of the following common medical emergencies and let our experienced veterinarians take the lead. 

• Difficulty breathing

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Suspected foreign body ingestion

• Trauma (car accidents, falls, etc.)

• Collapse or weakness

• Abdominal pain or bloating

X-rays are available at all VEG locations.

What diagnostic services does VEG offer to help my pet?

Depending on your pet’s symptoms, our veterinarians may recommend additional imaging to get a clearer picture of the problem. Our 24-hour animal hospitals around the country are equipped with a variety of diagnostic services performed on site. We pride ourselves on providing same-day results so we can begin treating your pet as quickly as possible.

Among our diagnostic services, we offer pet ultrasound and x-rays at VEG. Learn more about these life-saving services:

X-rays for pets

Available at all VEG locations

• A small amount of radiation is used to create 2D images of internal structures

• Particularly useful for viewing bones, lungs, and overall body structure

• Allows our experts to immediately spot broken bones, bladder stones, swallowed objects, heart enlargement, lung conditions, and more

• Typically quick and non-invasive, but the pet must stay still for the duration of the x-ray (usually just a few seconds)

• Sedation can be used if the pet is in pain or severely anxious, but many pets do not require sedation

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for pets

Available at all VEG locations

• A non-invasive, portable diagnostic tool for soft tissue imaging—we can sit on the floor with your pet or wherever they are most comfortable!

• Uses sound waves to create real-time images of internal organs and tissues

• Allows our experts to assess your pet’s internal organs, detect fluid or bleeding, evaluate masses or tumors, and assess heart function

• Can usually be performed without sedation

• Fur may need to be shaved or clipped from a small area to improve image quality

Abdominal ultrasound for pets

Available at most VEG locations; call your local VEG for availability

• A more thorough assessment of all the intra-abdominal organs, which provides more comprehensive, sensitive, and specific information 

• Uses sound waves to create real-time images of internal organs and tissues

• Can usually be performed without sedation

• Fur may need to be shaved or clipped from a small area to improve image quality

An ultrasound uses sound waves to create real-time images of internal organs and tissues.

Pet ultrasound & x-ray services available on site at VEG for fast results

From broken bones to tummy troubles, VEG is here 24/7 to help your pet heal, day or night. Equipped with diagnostic imaging services like x-rays and ultrasounds, our locations across the country are open around the clock (even weekends and holidays!). Our team is ready to spring into action to triage your pet’s emergency, perform diagnostics if needed, and provide the ER vet treatment to get them on the road to recovery.