What is a Fluoroscopy?

What to Expect with a Fluoroscopy Esophagram Evaluation

Your pet’s esophagus will be evaluated in three different phases.

1. The first phase involves your pet swallowing a small amount of liquid barium (a contrast agent) and using the fluoroscopy to follow that fluid from your pet’s mouth all the way to the stomach. This allows our board-certified radiologists to evaluate for abnormalities such as strictures, expansions, or other abnormalities while your pet is actively swallowing.
2. The first phase procedure is repeated with barium mixed with canned food.
3. The first phase procedure is repeated with barium mixed with dry kibble.

Each phase offers more information regarding the possible esophageal abnormality. The procedure does not involve any sedation or general anesthesia and can be performed while you wait.

What to Expect with a Collapsing Trachea Fluoroscopy

During the procedure, our radiologist will evaluate your pet’s trachea with fluoroscopy when breathing normally as well as when your pet is coughing. The procedure is performed without any sedation or general anesthesia and can be performed while you wait. It is important to not administer any cough suppressants prior to the exam as we need your pet to cough to obtain an accurate study. In severe cases when cough suppressants are absolutely necessary, please contact our office to inquire about special instructions for your pet.

Following a fluoroscopy examination, one of our board-certified radiologists will review all the images and submit a final report within 24-48 hours of the exam. The report and clinical findings will then be sent to the referring veterinarian. Clients should follow up with the referring veterinarian for explanation of results and information on treatment or management.