Pet Diagnostic Imaging in Nichols Hills, OK, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Nichols Hills is a vet in Nichols Hills, OK, with digital x-rays and basic ultrasound on site for dogs and cats. Imaging lets the vet see bones, lungs, the heart's outline, the bladder and belly organs without surgery.

Most imaging is done during the same visit as the exam, so you leave with clearer answers.

Call (405) 251-8816, book online, or walk in.

What's the difference between an x-ray and an ultrasound?

They show different things:

• X-rays are best for bones, joints, the chest and lungs, the overall size of organs, and solid objects a pet has swallowed, like a rock or a bone.

• Ultrasound uses sound waves to show soft tissue in real time, like the bladder wall, fluid in the belly, or the inside of an organ.

Often the vet uses both. An x-ray gives the big picture, and ultrasound looks closer at one area. Neither one hurts, and neither needs a cut or a stay at the clinic. Ultrasound uses no radiation at all, and digital x-rays use a low dose for only a moment. Together they help the vet decide quickly whether your pet needs medicine, a recheck, or a referral.

When might my pet need imaging?

The vet at Petfolk Nichols Hills may suggest imaging for:

1. Limping or a possible broken bone

2. Coughing or breathing changes

3. Vomiting, especially if your pet may have swallowed something

4. A swollen or painful belly

5. Bladder problems, like straining or blood in the urine

6. Checking the heart's size in a pet with a murmur

Across Petfolk, nearly three in four ultrasound procedures (73%) are ultrasound-guided urine collection, called cystocentesis, which gives a clean sample straight from the bladder (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026).

Who reads my pet's images?

The vet at Petfolk Nichols Hills reads the images first and talks you through them. When a second opinion helps, the images go to a specialist radiologist. Across Petfolk, more than three-quarters of x-ray studies (78%) also get a specialist radiologist's review (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). The vet will call you when that report is back.

Does my pet need sedation for imaging?

Not always. Many pets lie still for an x-ray with gentle support. Some need light sedation, especially if they're in pain, anxious or need a precise position. For ultrasound, a patch of fur is usually shaved so the probe can touch the skin.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic. At Petfolk Nichols Hills, the team uses soft pads, calm voices and breaks. The vet will always explain sedation and get your OK first.

You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Getting ready for imaging

• For a belly scan, the vet may ask you to hold food for several hours beforehand.

• For a bladder sample, try not to let your pet pee right before the visit.

• Bring any past images or reports from other clinics.

Imaging costs

The cost depends on how many views are taken, whether sedation is needed, and whether a specialist reads the images. A sick exam at Petfolk Nichols Hills starts at $135. Ask for an estimate before imaging begins.

Read more about each one

See pet x-rays in Nichols Hills and pet ultrasound in Nichols Hills for more detail.

When imaging can't wait

A pet that was hit by a car, can't breathe, or has a hard, swollen belly needs a 24-hour hospital right away. Go to VEG Oklahoma City on Pawnee Dr off N Western Ave, which has staff on hand around the clock.

Imaging visits near Nichols Hills Plaza

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Nichols Hills is at 1125 NW 63rd St Suite 1125 C, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, with parking on site.

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