Radiograph or X-ray use in Dogs

Question: Dr. Richards,

Would infections appear on an X-ray? I can't imagine it doing so.

Tony A.

Answer: Tony-

Some infections show up really well on X-rays if they are severe and can sometimes be detected early in the infectious process or show up when contrast dyes are used. I don't know that I can write a complete list, but these are some of the ones that are visible:

osteomyelitis (infection of the bone) discospondylitis (infection of spinal discs and the ends of the vertebrae) pyometra (uterine infection) -- when the uterus is enlarged by accumulation of pus pyelonephritis (kidney infection) -- dyes can help show this periodontal infections peritonitis -- can't be absolutely determined to be the cause of fluid accumulation by X-rays but they are helpful infections of the abdominal lymph nodes sometimes show up on X-rays pneumonia chronic bronchitis gas forming infections in muscles some abscesses systemic fungal infections

There are probably others but these are the ones that I can think of off-hand. There are lots of times when X-rays aren't useful in finding infections but they are a good tool for finding them sometimes.

Mike Richards, DVM 12/14/2001

Last edited 08/30/02