Vets recommend x-rays for a limp that lasts more than a day or two, a cough that won't settle, or a pet that may have swallowed something, because x-rays show bones, the heart and lungs, stones and many swallowed objects. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord is a vet clinic in Concord, North Carolina, that takes digital x-rays on site, so images are ready in minutes and the vet can go over them with you during the same visit.
X-rays are also called radiographs. Pet parents across Cabarrus County get them as part of a sick or urgent visit.
Call (980) 360-2922 or book online.
When do Petfolk Concord vets take x-rays?
Most often after a limp, a cough or a swallowed object. From October 2025 to September 2026, 19% of Petfolk Concord visits for limping included x-rays, and so did 17% of visits for coughing or breathing problems. Across Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics, x-rays were part of 18% of sick visits for a pet that ate something it shouldn't have.
What shows up and what hides
An x-ray is excellent for some things and limited for others. It shows broken bones, joint changes and arthritis. It shows the size and outline of the heart and the pattern of the lungs. It shows bladder and kidney stones of many types, and dense objects like coins, batteries or fishhooks, plus gas patterns in the gut that suggest a blockage.
It shows poorly the things that blend in with soft tissue: fabric, plastic and many toys. It also can't show the inside structure of the liver, spleen or intestines, or soft tissue injuries like torn ligaments.
The Concord clinic page lists socks, toys and household items among the things pets swallow, and many of those don't show up directly. The vet may suggest a second set of images a few hours later, or an ultrasound. The ultrasound page explains what it adds.
If my dog can walk on the leg, can it still be broken?
Yes. Dogs and cats often put some weight on a cracked bone, and they hide pain well. A limp that lasts more than a day or two, a swollen joint, or a leg your pet won't let you touch is worth an exam at Petfolk Concord and possibly an x-ray.
My dog, Lucky, started limping, so I took him in and he got an xray and some medication for his hind leg. Siva K., Google review
Does my pet have to be sedated for x-rays?
Most pets don't need sedation. Fear-free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, and a calm dog or cat can usually be positioned with gentle hands and a few treats. Sedation helps when a pet is in pain, very anxious, or needs a precise position, such as hip x-rays that check for hip dysplasia, a loose, poorly formed hip joint. The vet explains why before giving any sedative.
Is x-ray radiation a risk for my pet?
A diagnostic x-ray uses a small, brief dose, and the bigger risk is usually missing a problem the x-ray would have found. The team wears protective gear because they take many images every day. One study is not a concern for your pet. X-ray machines must meet federal performance standards set by the FDA, and the team uses the lowest dose that gives a clear image. Tell the vet if your pet might be pregnant.
Results while you wait
Digital images appear on screen within moments, and your vet reviews them right away. The clinic page says images are also reviewed with Radimal, an AI-assisted radiology service, as a second set of eyes. Your vet makes the diagnosis and talks you through what the images show.
X-rays rarely stand alone. A vomiting dog may need x-rays and blood work together, since the images look for a blockage and the blood work shows how the organs are coping. A coughing cat may need chest x-rays plus a heartworm or blood test.
You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. Petfolk Concord accepts all major pet insurance.
Retching, a hard belly or trouble breathing: go 24-hour
If your pet is retching without bringing anything up, has a hard swollen belly, can't stand, or is struggling to breathe, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital. Those signs can mean a problem that needs surgery or oxygen right away. Petfolk Concord is open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord, 2425 Herrons Nest Pl NW, Suite 100, near Concord Mills, or see all veterinary services in Concord.
Questions about your pet's x-rays
Digital x-rays on Herrons Nest Pl NW