Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Indian Land takes digital x-rays (radiographs) of dogs and cats in the clinic, so the vet can usually look at the images with you during the same visit. X-rays are the usual first picture for a limp, a lingering cough, a swallowed object or a swollen belly at Petfolk Indian Land, a vet clinic on Sherbrook Avenue in Indian Land, South Carolina.
Call (803) 232-9817 or book online.
What can an x-ray show in a dog or cat?
An x-ray shows dense tissue such as bone in white, air in black, and organs in shades of gray, which makes it best for bones, the chest and many swallowed objects. At Petfolk Indian Land, x-rays help with:
Bones and joints: fractures, arthritis, hip and elbow changes, and some bone tumors.
The chest: heart size and shape, and fluid or patterns in the lungs.
Swallowed objects: rocks, bones, metal and many toys. Fabric often doesn't show, but the gas pattern around it can.
Bladder and kidney stones: many types show up clearly.
Belly organs: the size and outline of the liver, spleen and stomach, and signs of a twisted stomach or blockage.
What can't an x-ray show well?
X-rays show shapes and outlines, not the inside detail of soft organs. An x-ray can show that the liver looks big, but not always why. For that, the Petfolk Indian Land vet may suggest an ultrasound, and often pairs x-rays with blood work and lab testing, since the two answer different questions.
When do Indian Land pets need x-rays?
Limping is the most common reason for x-rays at Petfolk Indian Land. Since the clinic opened (May 8 to October 19, 2026):
About 1 in 3 Indian Land visits for limping (32%) included x-rays. Across Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics the figure is about 1 in 6 (18%, October 2025 to September 2026).
About 1 in 7 Indian Land visits for vomiting or diarrhea (15%) included x-rays, often to look for a blockage.
About 3 in 4 Indian Land x-ray studies (74%) were also sent to a veterinary radiologist, a vet who specializes in reading images, for review.
The vet may also suggest x-rays for a cough that lingers, faster breathing at rest, straining to urinate, a lump, or a check of the chest before surgery in an older pet.
Does my pet need sedation for x-rays?
Not always. Calm pets often lie still with gentle support from the Petfolk Indian Land team, using Gentle Handling, soft positioning aids and treats. Pets in pain, very anxious pets, and hip or spine views often go better with light sedation, which is kinder for the pet and gives sharper images. The vet explains the options before anything is given, and you see an estimate before any treatment.
How should I get my pet ready for x-rays?
Petfolk Indian Land suggests three steps before an x-ray visit:
Ask about food when you book. If sedation might be needed, the team may ask you to hold breakfast.
Bring the evidence. A photo of the chewed toy, the wrapper or the bone helps the vet know what to look for.
Film it. A short phone clip of the limp or cough is often more useful than any description.
What happens on x-ray day?
Most x-rays take only a few minutes, and digital images appear on screen almost right away, so a blurry view can be retaken on the spot. A pet usually lies in two positions for each area, such as on the side and on the back. Pet parents usually wait in the exam room, because x-ray rooms keep people out unless they wear protective gear. The vet reviews the images with you and explains the next step. If the radiologist's report adds detail, the team follows up. For a healing fracture or a swallowed object, ask to compare follow-up images side by side with the first set.
When should a hurt pet skip the x-ray visit and go to a 24-hour hospital?
Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital for a pet struggling to breathe, a swollen belly with retching that brings nothing up, or a pet that can't stand after a fall or a car accident. Those pets need stabilizing first, and imaging can happen there.
Where can my pet get x-rays east of Charlotte Highway?
Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Indian Land is a vet in Indian Land with digital x-rays on site, at 1150 Sherbrook Ave, Ste B109, Indian Land, SC 29707. Radiology is one of the veterinary specialties recognized by the AVMA. Call (803) 232-9817 or book online.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Indian Land, or see all veterinary services in Indian Land.
X-ray questions from dog and cat parents
On Sherbrook Avenue, east of Charlotte Highway