Pet Diagnostic Imaging
X-rays and ultrasound answer different questions, and sometimes the right answer is neither. Petfolk Johns Creek, at Medley in Johns Creek Town Center near Johns Creek Parkway and McGinnis Ferry Road, has digital X-ray and ultrasound on-site, and most results are ready the same day.
The exam comes first, so imaging is aimed at the right spot. Visits start at our Johns Creek clinic.
Call (470) 964-6691 or book online. Open 8am–6pm, seven days a week.
When to go to a 24-hour emergency hospital
Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your pet has trouble breathing, a swollen hard belly with unproductive retching, a male cat straining with no urine, collapse, or a major injury such as being hit by a car. These need emergency imaging and care now.
Petfolk Johns Creek is open 8am to 6pm, seven days a week. We don't provide overnight care, so anything that can't wait until morning belongs at a 24-hour emergency hospital.
X-Ray or Ultrasound?
Each study shows something different:
X-ray: bones, joints, chest, the outline and size of organs, gas patterns, and many swallowed objects.
Ultrasound: the inside of soft tissue, such as organ texture, bladder walls, and fluid in the belly.
Both: sometimes. A heart concern or unexplained weight loss in a senior pet may need both, usually alongside blood work.
Every Petfolk X-ray is reviewed with Radimal AI software, which flags areas of concern. If a case needs more, the vet can send images to a board-certified veterinary radiologist for an additional fee, with a report usually back within a few days.
When Imaging Isn't the Next Step
An image shows shape, size, and density. It doesn't show how an organ is working. A cat drinking more and losing weight usually needs blood work first, because kidney, thyroid, and blood sugar values point the way. Imaging comes in if the labs raise a question about a specific organ.
Timing matters too. Some soft tissue injuries and hairline changes don't show on an X-ray right away, so the vet may suggest a recheck instead of an immediate repeat.
“My cats are aging and have a multitude of issues. This office has addressed many of the issues and explained the diagnostics and helped address my questions.”
— Christine S., Petfolk client
What Happens at an Imaging Visit
The vet examines your pet and explains what the images should show.
For X-rays, your pet is positioned on a padded surface while images are taken in seconds. Most studies need two or three views.
For ultrasound, a small patch of fur is shaved, warm gel goes on, and a probe glides over the skin.
Images are reviewed, and the vet walks you through the findings and next steps.
Our Gentle Handling team keeps pets comfortable throughout, and light sedation is an option if your pet is in pain, anxious, or too wiggly for a clear image. You'll discuss it before anything is given. You can find the results in the Petfolk app afterward.
When Your Pet Needs CT or MRI
Some problems need advanced imaging, such as a suspected spinal injury, a brain or nasal issue, or surgical planning. Specialty hospitals perform CT and MRI, and your Petfolk vet will refer you.
In Georgia, the University of Georgia's Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Athens, about an hour and 15 minutes from Johns Creek, has CT and MRI. Metro Atlanta specialty hospitals offer them too. UC Davis notes that X-rays and ultrasound can usually be done without anesthesia, while a CT requires general anesthesia, so plan for a longer day.
What Imaging Costs Depend On
The exam that decides imaging is needed
X-ray, ultrasound, or both
How many views, or how long the ultrasound takes
Whether sedation is used
Whether a board-certified radiologist reviews the images
You'll get an estimate before any images are taken. PetfolkCare members get 10% off lab work and X-rays.
Get the Picture That Answers the Question
Book an exam at Petfolk Johns Creek and leave knowing what the images showed and what comes next. Call (470) 964-6691 or book online.