Pet Diagnostic Imaging
Imaging works best when the exam has already narrowed the question, so the doctor knows which picture to take. Our Midlothian clinic on Steam Avenue, off Midlothian Turnpike, has digital X-rays and ultrasound on site, and many results are ready the same day.
Call (804) 603-9509 or book online.
When it's an emergency: Don't wait for an imaging appointment if your dog has a swollen, tight belly and is retching without bringing anything up, if a male cat is straining in the litter box with little or no urine, if your pet is struggling to breathe, or after a fall or car accident. Bloat and urinary blockage can be fatal within hours. Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital when we're closed. We're open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, and we don't provide overnight care.
When Imaging Is Likely Part of the Plan
Limping that hasn't improved, or a leg your pet won't use.
Vomiting that keeps returning, especially if your pet may have swallowed something.
Coughing or a change in breathing.
Straining to urinate, or blood in the urine.
A belly that's enlarged or painful.
A senior pet losing weight without a clear reason.
X-Ray or Ultrasound?
X-rays show bone, the outline of organs, gas patterns, and many swallowed objects. Ultrasound shows the inside of soft-tissue organs in real time and uses no radiation. Sometimes the doctor needs both. The Merck Veterinary Manual's imaging overview explains how the methods differ.
Every Petfolk care center has digital X-rays and basic ultrasound. More advanced ultrasound may be referred. Each procedure is covered in detail on our X-ray and ultrasound pages.
When Imaging Isn't the Next Step Yet
An exam and blood work often answer the question first, especially for vomiting, drinking more, or weight changes. Imaging gets added when results point to something structural. If the doctor suggests waiting, it's because a picture wouldn't change the plan yet.
Preparing for the Visit
If sedation is likely, the team may ask you to hold food. Follow the instructions you're given.
Bring a short phone video of the limp, cough, or episode. It helps the doctor decide which views to take.
Bring a list of medications and any earlier images.
Cats travel best in a carrier with a removable top.
Most X-rays take only a few minutes. Sedation may be used if your pet is anxious, painful, or needs to hold still.
After the Images
Every X-ray gets an AI-assisted review, and the doctor walks you through what the images show. For complex cases, the doctor can send images to a board-certified veterinary radiologist for an added fee, with findings usually back within a few days. Results are available in the Petfolk app.
"They truly care for your pet and explain everything in great detail, so you know the level of care your pet is receiving."
— Cortez S., Petfolk client.
When the Answer Needs CT or MRI
CT and MRI are done at specialty hospitals, not general practices. For Midlothian families, the practical options are specialty and emergency hospitals in the Richmond area. The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine's teaching hospital in Blacksburg is about three and a half hours away, so it's usually reserved for cases that need its particular services.
If your pet needs advanced imaging, the doctor sends the X-rays, ultrasound findings, and records with the referral, so the specialist isn't starting over. Ask the specialty hospital about cost and wait time before you go, since each sets its own.
What Drives the Cost
The cost depends on the number of X-ray views, the type of ultrasound, any sedation, a radiologist review if one is needed, and related lab work. PetfolkCare members save 10% on X-rays and lab work and $99 on every exam. You get an estimate before anything is done.
Start With the Exam
Book a visit at our clinic on Steam Avenue. The doctor will examine your pet first, then choose the imaging that answers the question. Call (804) 603-9509 or book online.