IMAGING
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Advanced imaging that uses magnetic fields to evaluate selected neurologic, spinal and soft-tissue concerns.
THE SHORT VERSION
Testing helps answer a clinical question.
Magnetic resonance imaging creates detailed images using magnetic fields and radio waves rather than ionizing X-rays. It is often selected when the clinical question involves the brain, spinal cord or selected soft tissues.
What is this test?
Magnetic resonance imaging creates detailed images using magnetic fields and radio waves rather than ionizing X-rays. It is often selected when the clinical question involves the brain, spinal cord or selected soft tissues.
What information can it provide?
- Brain imaging can help investigate selected seizure, balance or neurologic concerns.
- Spinal imaging may assess the spinal cord, discs and surrounding structures.
- Specialized sequences provide different information about tissue and inflammation.
When might your veterinarian recommend it?
- Investigate concerning neurologic deficits, persistent seizures or spinal pain when recommended.
- Clarify selected soft-tissue abnormalities that may not be well defined by computed tomography.
- Support referral or surgical decision-making when imaging would change management.
What can owners do before the visit?
- Most veterinary magnetic resonance studies require anesthesia because the patient must remain still.
- Ask about fasting, preanesthetic testing and referral arrangements.
- Bring prior neurologic examination findings and all previous imaging.
What can this test not tell you by itself?
- Anesthesia, cost, availability and the animal’s stability can influence whether the study is appropriate.
- Imaging findings do not always identify the exact cause without additional tests.
- Magnetic resonance imaging is not a routine screening test for healthy animals.
Do not change medication, interpret an abnormal number as a diagnosis or delay urgent treatment without direction from your veterinary team.
Useful questions for your appointment
- What neurologic or soft-tissue question are we trying to answer?
- Does my animal need stabilization before imaging?
- How might the result change treatment, prognosis or referral?