Yuen Long Pet X-ray Examination｜When Does Your Cat or Dog Need an X-ray?

X-ray examination is one of the essential tools for veterinarians to diagnose pet illnesses. When cats or dogs experience unexplained pain, vomiting, breathing difficulties, or suspected fractures, pet X-rays can quickly provide images of internal body structures to help veterinarians make accurate diagnoses. Petcore Veterinary Clinic is equipped with advanced digital X-ray equipment, providing fast and accurate Yuen Long pet X-ray diagnostic services.

When Does Your Pet Need an X-ray?

Not all conditions require X-rays, but veterinarians typically recommend cat X-rays or dog X-ray examinations in the following situations:

Skeletal and Joint Problems

Fracture Examination: After traffic accidents, falls from height, or impacts, X-rays can confirm the location and severity of fractures
Limping Diagnosis: When pets suddenly limp or refuse to walk, to rule out skeletal problems
Arthritis Assessment: Diagnosis of joint degeneration and joint inflammation in senior cats and dogs
Hip Dysplasia: Screening for this common congenital condition in large breed dogs
Spinal Problems: Examination of intervertebral disc disease, spinal deformities, etc.

Suspected Foreign Body Ingestion

When cats or dogs suddenly vomit, experience abdominal pain, or lose appetite, pet X-ray examination can help confirm whether a foreign object is lodged in the gastrointestinal tract:

Bones, toy parts, metal objects
String, rubber bands (common in cats)
Fabric, socks (common in dogs)
Fruit pits, stones, and other foreign objects

Note: Some plastic or fabric foreign objects may not be clearly visible on X-rays and may require ultrasound examination.

Cardiopulmonary Function Assessment

Chest X-rays are an important tool for assessing heart and lung health, suitable for the following situations:

Persistent Coughing: Checking for lung infection, fluid accumulation, or tumours
Breathing Difficulties: Assessing trachea, lung, and heart conditions
Heart Disease Monitoring: Observing whether the heart is enlarged and determining the severity of heart disease
Pulmonary Oedema: Diagnosis of this common complication of heart failure

Abdominal Examination

Abnormal Organ Size: Enlargement or atrophy of liver, kidneys, or spleen
Bladder Stones: Localisation of urinary system stones
Intestinal Obstruction: Diagnosis of intestinal gas buildup and blockage
Pregnancy Confirmation: Confirming the number of foetuses in late pregnancy
Tumour Screening: Preliminary assessment of abdominal masses

Yuen Long Pet X-ray Examination Process

The Yuen Long pet X-ray examination process at Petcore Veterinary Clinic is simple and quick:

Pre-Examination Preparation

Chest/Skeletal X-ray: Usually no fasting required; normal eating and drinking allowed
Abdominal X-ray: Fasting for 4–6 hours recommended to reduce gastrointestinal content interference with imaging
Sedation/Anaesthesia Required: Fast for 6–8 hours (adult cats and dogs)
Emergency Situations: Examination can proceed immediately even without fasting

X-ray Imaging Process

Veterinary Assessment: The veterinarian first conducts a physical examination to determine the areas and angles to be imaged
Positioning: Veterinary nurses assist in placing the pet in the correct position
Image Capture: The entire process takes only 5–15 minutes; quick and painless
Image Analysis: Digital X-rays display instantly, and the veterinarian analyses the results on the spot
Diagnostic Report: The veterinarian explains the examination results and recommends treatment options to the owner

Is Anaesthesia Required?

Most cat X-rays and dog X-ray examinations do not require anaesthesia:

No Anaesthesia Needed: General chest, abdominal, and limb X-rays can be taken directly when pets are cooperative
Light Sedation: May be needed when pets are overly anxious or cannot stay still
Anaesthesia Required: Dental X-rays, hip joint assessment (requiring precise positioning), full-length spinal imaging

Pet X-ray Fee Reference

Below are pet X-ray fee references. Actual fees depend on the area imaged and number of images:

Examination Item	Fee Reference (HK$)	Notes
Basic X-ray (per image)	$700 – $900	Single area, single angle
Chest X-ray (2–3 images)	$1,200 – $1,800	Frontal and lateral views
Abdominal X-ray (2–3 images)	$1,200 – $1,800	Examining abdominal organs and foreign bodies
Skeletal/Joint X-ray (2–4 images)	$1,400 – $2,500	Calculated based on area and angles
Full-Length Spinal X-ray (4–6 images)	$2,000 – $3,500	Requires multi-segment imaging
Hip Joint Assessment	$1,500 – $2,500	Requires precise positioning, usually under anaesthesia
Sedation/Anaesthesia Fee	$500 – $1,500	Depending on medication and body weight

*The above are general market fee references. Please call Petcore Veterinary Clinic for actual fees.

X-ray vs Ultrasound vs CT: How to Choose?

Different imaging tools have their own advantages. Veterinarians will select the most appropriate examination method based on the condition:

Examination Type	Applicable Areas	Advantages	Fee Reference
X-ray	Bones, heart & lungs, foreign bodies, stones	Fast, non-invasive, affordable	$700–$900/image
Ultrasound	Abdominal organs, heart interior, soft tissue	Real-time observation, no radiation, can visualise blood flow	$2,000–$2,500/area
CT Scan	Complex fractures, tumours, brain	3D imaging, high resolution	$8,000–$15,000

Pet X-ray FAQs

Q1: Do cat X-rays have radiation? Is it harmful to pets?

The radiation dose from X-ray examinations is very low, and a single examination has minimal impact on pet health. Modern digital X-ray equipment uses even lower radiation levels, and the examination time is short, making it very safe for pets.

Q2: Does my pet need to be shaved for an X-ray?

X-ray examinations do not require shaving as X-rays can penetrate fur. Shaving is only needed for ultrasound examinations at the area being examined.

Q3: Can X-rays detect all foreign objects?

X-rays clearly show high-density foreign objects such as metal and bones, but some low-density objects like plastic or fabric may not be easily detected. If soft foreign objects are suspected, the veterinarian may recommend combining ultrasound or contrast agent examination.

Q4: How long does it take to get X-ray results?

Digital X-rays display images instantly, and veterinarians typically explain the results on the spot after the examination. If detailed interpretation by a specialist is required, the report may take 1–2 working days.

Q5: Does pet insurance cover X-ray examination fees?

Most pet insurance plans cover X-ray examination fees required due to illness or accident, but coverage and reimbursement limits vary by insurance plan. We recommend reviewing your policy terms.

Petcore Veterinary Clinic Yuen Long X-ray Services

Petcore Veterinary Clinic is equipped with advanced digital X-ray equipment, providing fast and accurate Yuen Long pet X-ray diagnostic services for pets in the Yuen Long area:

Digital X-ray System: High-resolution images for more accurate diagnoses
Instant Display: No waiting for film development; view results on the spot
Professional Interpretation: Experienced veterinary team analyses the images
Comprehensive Support: Can be combined with ultrasound and blood tests for thorough diagnosis
Transparent Pricing: Fees clearly explained before examination with no hidden charges

Contact Us

Address: G/F, 30A Fuk Tak Street, Yuen Long, New Territories
Phone: 2394-7300 / 2394-7322
WhatsApp: 9889-5518
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 22:00
Website: www.petcore-vet.com

If your cat or dog experiences fractures, foreign body ingestion, breathing difficulties, or other emergencies, we recommend bringing your pet to a Yuen Long pet X-ray clinic for examination as soon as possible. The professional team at Petcore Veterinary Clinic is always ready to provide quality medical services for your furry companions. Please call to book a dog X-ray examination or cat X-ray service.

Categories