FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MRI Vets is a specialized teleradiology service providing expert MRI, CT, and radiographic interpretations for veterinarians. In short, veterinarians who have their own advanced imaging equipment create images of their patients and then send them to MRI Vets’ radiology team for interpretation. Our board-certified radiologists focus on neurology, musculoskeletal, and oncology imaging, delivering precise, surgical-focused reports to support veterinarians in making confident treatment decisions. With 24-hour turnaround and real-time STAT services, we ensure our referring veterinarians get fast, reliable answers when they matter most. By combining advanced imaging expertise with seamless case submission through our cloud-based PACS, MRI Vets elevates diagnostic accuracy and efficiency for veterinary professionals worldwide.

Our founder, Dr. Pat Gavin’s famously short answer to this question was always “If visualization of the disease will make a difference to diagnosis, prognosis, and especially TREATMENT then MRI is indicated.”

That being said, sometimes our referring vets need more information about what to look for! So we developed the referral infographic on the right side of this page.

Some MRI studies turn up nothing abnormal. However, we most commonly see brain tumors, slipped discs, spine cancer, inner-ear infections, liver shunts, ACL tears, and a variety of joint injuries. After diagnosis, we work closely with our referring veterinarians, as well as our network of specialists to help determine the best course of treatment.

Indications for MRI

• Back Pain

• Seizures

• Chronic Nasal Discharge

• Oral Tumors

• Lameness from Shoulder, Elbow, or Stifle Joint Disease

• Unsteady Gait

• Assessment of Carpal Trauma

• Pre-Surgical Check for Metastatic Disease

• Cancer Surgery Planning - to define the margins of a tumor

• Foot Dragging

• Unusual Behavior - such as circling, persistent head tilt, or depression

• Screening and Diagnosis of Portosystemic Shunts

If the disease causes a macroscopic change (bigger than a grain of rice) MRI can see it.  The modality cannot see microscopic, most metabolic or physiologic diseases. Some metabolic or physiologic diseases do cause macroscopic lesions that would be detected.

MRI will show the extent of the disease, but for a histologic diagnosis, a biopsy is needed.

In order to produce diagnostic quality images that the radiologist can read, the animal cannot move (other than normal respiration and blood flow) so anesthesia or heavy sedation is required in all but comatose animals. We recommend anesthesia in all cases unless using sedation is the only medically appropriate option.