Pet X-Rays in Phoenix, AZ

Your pet may need an X-ray any time we need to see beneath the skin to understand what is causing a symptom. Common reasons include:

• Limping, stiffness, or reluctance to jump and climb stairs
• A recent fall, car accident, or other trauma
• Persistent coughing, labored breathing, or low energy
• Vomiting, loss of appetite, or a swollen abdomen
• Swallowing something they should not have
• Monitoring a pregnancy or evaluating a fertility concern

Once we understand what your pet has been through and what symptoms they are showing, we can decide whether animal X-ray imaging or another diagnostic tool will give us the clearest answer.

Yes, radiography is a safe, non-invasive procedure when it is performed by a trained veterinary team. The radiation dose used for a single set of images is very low, and our staff uses lead shielding and careful positioning to keep exposure minimal for your pet and everyone in the room. Most pets tolerate the process well, especially with the gentle, patient handling Dr. Casida is known for. We only recommend imaging when it will genuinely help guide your pet’s diagnosis or treatment plan, never as a routine upsell.

Some pets need light sedation for X-rays, but many do not. Whether sedation is necessary depends on the body part being imaged, your pet’s temperament, and how much discomfort they are in. A calm, cooperative pet having a straightforward limb X-ray may need nothing beyond gentle restraint. Sedation becomes more likely for:

• Painful injuries that make holding still difficult
• Chest or abdominal images that require your pet to stay perfectly motionless
• Anxious or fearful pets who struggle with handling
• Dental images, which are almost always taken under anesthesia

If sedation is recommended, our team will walk you through exactly what to expect and why it is the safer, more comfortable choice for your pet.

X-rays can detect a wide range of conditions affecting your pet’s bones, organs, and soft tissue. These include:

• Fractures, dislocations, and joint disease such as arthritis
• Bladder stones and other urinary blockages
• Swallowed foreign objects such as toys or bones
• Tumors and unusual masses
• Heart enlargement and certain lung conditions
• Spinal problems and disc disease

This level of insight helps Dr. Casida build a treatment plan based on what is actually happening inside your pet, not just the symptoms you can see from the outside.

Most results are ready to review the same day, often within minutes of the images being taken. Because our system is fully digital, Dr. Casida can view, adjust, and discuss the pictures with you right in the exam room instead of waiting for film to develop. If a case is complex or would benefit from a specialist’s opinion, we may send images out for additional review, which typically adds a day or two before we have a final answer.

Dental X-rays and body X-rays serve different purposes and use different equipment settings. Dental X-rays for pets focus on the teeth and jaw, revealing problems below the gumline such as root damage, abscesses, or bone loss that are invisible during a standard mouth exam. Body X-rays cover larger areas like the chest, abdomen, or limbs to evaluate organs, bones, and soft tissue. Dental images require anesthesia because pets must hold perfectly still for close-up pictures of individual teeth, while body X-rays sometimes only need brief sedation or careful positioning depending on what we are looking for.

Preparing your pet is simple and mostly involves following our pre-visit instructions closely. To help your appointment go smoothly:

• Withhold food for the timeframe we recommend if sedation is planned
• Bring a list of current medications and recent symptoms
• Keep dogs on a leash and cats in a secure carrier
• Let us know if your pet has reacted to sedation before
• Arrive a few minutes early so your pet has time to settle in

Our team will always confirm any specific steps ahead of your appointment based on the type of imaging your pet needs.

The cost of X-ray imaging depends on the number of pictures needed, the body part being examined, and whether sedation is required. Straightforward limb or chest images typically cost less than a full dental series performed under anesthesia. We always provide a clear estimate before moving forward and will never recommend imaging your pet does not need. For families who want extra flexibility, we offer financing through Cherry with instant approval and manageable monthly plans, along with support through our partnership with the MyBalto Foundation for pet parents facing financial barriers to care.

Most healthy pets do not need routine X-rays unless a specific symptom, injury, or senior wellness screening calls for one. Pets with chronic conditions like arthritis or heart disease may need periodic imaging to track how the disease is progressing over time. Working dogs, senior pets, and breeds prone to joint or spinal issues sometimes benefit from a baseline set of images to compare against later if problems develop. Dr. Casida will recommend a schedule based on your individual pet’s health history rather than a one-size-fits-all timeline.

Pet parents choose us for imaging, and for every other part of their pet’s care, because of the way we combine modern equipment with an unhurried, honest bedside manner. Here is what families can expect:

• Same-day digital results reviewed directly with Dr. Casida
• Pet diagnostic imaging paired with in-house lab work for a complete picture
• Clear, upfront pricing with flexible financing options
• Gentle handling from a team known for putting anxious pets at ease
• A full range of veterinary services, from preventive wellness to surgery and end-of-life care, all under one roof

We treat every pet who walks through our doors like part of our own family, which is part of why so many clients follow Dr. Casida from clinic to clinic. For general background on the different diagnostic imaging methods used in veterinary medicine, nothing replaces a hands-on exam from a doctor who already knows your pet.