Pet Diagnostic Imaging in Lakewood, Dallas, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lakewood is a vet in Lakewood, East Dallas, with digital x-rays and ultrasound on site. When an exam and lab work don't fully explain a problem, imaging lets the vet look at bones, organs and the belly without surgery.

The two tools answer different questions, and the vet will tell you which one fits before anything is done.

Call (682) 339-7822 or book online.

X-ray or ultrasound: which one does my pet need?

Each one is good at different things:

• X-rays show bones, joints, the chest and the outline of organs. They are the first choice for a limp, a cough, a swallowed object or a swollen belly.

• Ultrasound shows the inside of soft organs in real time, like the bladder, liver, spleen and intestines. It also helps the vet collect a clean urine sample with a small needle.

Sometimes your pet needs both. An x-ray may show the liver looks large, and an ultrasound then shows why. Read more on pet x-rays in Lakewood and pet ultrasound in Lakewood.

Who looks at my pet's images?

The vet at Petfolk Lakewood reads your pet's images during the visit and talks you through them. For a second opinion, many studies also go to a specialist radiologist. Across Petfolk, more than three-quarters of x-ray studies (78%) also got a specialist radiologist's review between Oct 1, 2025 and Sep 30, 2026.

Ultrasound at the clinic is for focused questions. Across Petfolk in the same window, nearly three in four ultrasound procedures (73%) were to collect urine from the bladder. If your pet needs a full belly scan by a specialist, the vet will help set that up.

A little further testing put my mind at ease and I finally felt relief that Sarah was going to be okay.

Tony F., Google review

What happens on imaging day?

Most pets come in for a regular exam and get imaging in the same visit. An x-ray takes only a few minutes. Your pet lies still on a padded table while the team takes a few pictures from different angles. For ultrasound, a small patch of fur on the belly may be shaved and a warm gel is used.

The team uses gentle, Fear Free handling. Many pets need nothing more than treats and a calm voice. A nervous or sore pet may get a mild sedative so the images come out clear and your pet stays comfortable. The vet will talk with you first.

Is imaging safe for my pet?

Yes. Digital x-rays use a small dose of radiation, much less than older film machines, and the team wears protection so your pet doesn't need to. Ultrasound uses sound waves, with no radiation at all.

Planning the cost

You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit, for example if the first x-ray shows the vet needs one more view. The clinic takes major cards, Apple Pay and CareCredit financing.

Getting ready

• Ask whether your pet should skip a meal. A full stomach can hide parts of the belly.

• For a bladder sample, don't let your pet pee right before the visit if you can help it.

• Bring a list of signs and when they started.

Common reasons East Dallas pets need a look inside

• A limp after a long run on the White Rock Lake trail that doesn't ease with rest

• A cough that lasts more than a few days

• Vomiting, with a chewed toy or bone missing at home

• Straining to pee, or blood in the urine

• A belly that looks bigger or feels tight

• Weight loss with no clear cause

If you see one of these, note when it started and whether it is getting worse. A short phone video helps the vet as well.

When imaging can wait

If your pet can't breathe well, collapses or has a swollen, tight belly and keeps trying to vomit, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital right away. In Lower Greenville, Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) at 4500 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206, is open 24 hours.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lakewood, or see all veterinary services in Lakewood.