HIGH-QUALITY DIGITAL X-RAYS, SPECIALIST REVIEWS & ADVANCED IMAGING
Digital Pet X-Rays & Veterinary Imaging in Laguna Beach
Medically reviewed by Bryan Hayter, DVM, Owner and Medical Director of Aliso Beach Animal Clinic. Last reviewed: August 2026.
Clear diagnostic images can make an important difference when a veterinarian is evaluating an injury, unexplained illness, dental disease or internal abnormality.
Aliso Beach Animal Clinic provides high-quality digital veterinary radiography for dogs, cats and many exotic pets in Laguna Beach. Our digital X-ray system produces detailed images that can be reviewed promptly by our veterinarians, enlarged for closer evaluation, compared with previous studies and securely shared with specialists when additional interpretation is needed.
Our imaging capabilities include:
Stat specialist reviews, often with a complete written report in under two hours
Abdominal ultrasound performed by a traveling veterinary imaging specialist
Mobile veterinary CT scanning under general anesthesia
Board-certified radiologist interpretation of CT studies
Imaging is selected according to the medical question. An X-ray, ultrasound and CT scan do not provide the same information, and the most advanced test is not automatically the most appropriate first test.
Dr. Bryan Hayter and our veterinary team consider your pet’s symptoms, examination findings, laboratory results, species, age and medical stability before recommending an imaging plan.
REQUEST AN IMAGING APPOINTMENTCALL (949) 499-4190
High-Quality Digital Veterinary Radiography
Digital radiography uses X-rays to create images of structures inside the body. It is one of the most commonly used diagnostic-imaging tools in veterinary medicine because it is fast, widely applicable and particularly useful for evaluating bones, joints, the chest and many abdominal conditions.
Unlike traditional film radiography, digital images appear on a medical workstation shortly after they are obtained. This allows our veterinarians to:
Review images without waiting for film development
Enlarge areas that require closer evaluation
Adjust image brightness and contrast within appropriate limits
Compare current and previous studies
Securely transmit images for specialist consultation
Incorporate images into the patient’s medical record
Discuss visible findings with pet owners
Digital processing can improve how an image is displayed, but it cannot correct poor patient positioning, motion or an incomplete study. Producing diagnostically useful images still requires appropriate technique, positioning and selection of views.
The American College of Veterinary Radiology provides additional information about radiography, ultrasound, CT and other veterinary imaging methods.
Why Image Quality Matters
An X-ray is valuable only when it clearly shows the anatomy needed to answer the medical question.
High-quality veterinary radiographs depend on several factors:
Correct positioning
Appropriate exposure settings
Limiting patient motion
Including the complete area of interest
Obtaining the necessary number of views
Centering and collimating the X-ray beam correctly
Using consistent identifying markers
Matching technique to the patient’s size and species
Most orthopedic and chest studies require at least two views taken from different directions because a three-dimensional structure cannot be fully assessed from one flat image.
Additional views may be necessary when evaluating:
A complicated fracture
A joint injury
A subtle lung abnormality
A possible intestinal foreign object
A urinary stone
A mass
A dental root
An exotic species with specialized anatomy
We prioritize obtaining the most useful study safely rather than simply taking the fewest possible images.
What Can Digital X-Rays Help Evaluate?
Bone, Joint and Orthopedic Conditions
Radiographs are especially useful for evaluating bone and joint structures.
They may help identify or investigate:
Fractures
Dislocations
Arthritis
Abnormal bone growth
Hip or elbow abnormalities
Spinal changes
Bone infection
Some bone tumors
Healing after surgery or injury
Implant position
Radiographs show bones well but do not display every ligament, tendon, cartilage or spinal-cord problem. Depending on the suspected condition, CT, ultrasound, MRI or specialist evaluation may be more informative.
LEARN ABOUT VETERINARY SURGERY
Chest and Breathing Problems
Chest radiographs may help evaluate:
Coughing
Difficulty breathing
Heart enlargement
Pneumonia
Fluid around the lungs
Air around the lungs
Some lung masses or nodules
Tracheal abnormalities
Chest trauma
Possible metastatic disease
A chest X-ray provides a static image. Additional testing such as blood work, ultrasound, echocardiography or specialist consultation may be needed to determine the underlying cause.
Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Conditions
Abdominal radiographs may be recommended for:
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Constipation
A suspected foreign object
Abnormal abdominal enlargement
Some urinary stones
Changes in organ size or position
Pregnancy evaluation in selected cases
Suspected obstruction
Radiographs provide useful information about gas patterns, organ outlines, mineral material and the size and position of abdominal structures. Ultrasound often provides more detailed information about the internal appearance of soft-tissue organs.
LEARN ABOUT ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND
Urinary Problems
Radiographs may identify some bladder, kidney or urethral stones. However, not every type of urinary stone is visible on a standard X-ray.
Urinalysis, blood work, ultrasound or contrast studies may also be recommended when a pet has:
Some swallowed objects are clearly visible on radiographs, while others blend into the surrounding soft tissues.
When an obstruction remains possible despite inconclusive initial images, we may recommend:
Repeat radiographs
Abdominal ultrasound
Contrast imaging
Additional laboratory testing
Surgical or specialty consultation
Imaging results must always be interpreted together with the patient’s symptoms and physical examination.
Imaging for Exotic Pets
Radiographs can be especially valuable in birds, rabbits, reptiles and small mammals because they provide information about multiple body systems within a relatively small field.
Depending on the species, radiographs may help evaluate:
Bone injuries
Egg binding
Dental disease in rabbits and rodents
Gastrointestinal abnormalities
Bladder stones
Respiratory disease
Organ enlargement
Metabolic bone disease
Foreign material
Exotic-pet positioning and interpretation require species-specific knowledge. Sedation may sometimes be recommended to reduce stress, prevent injury and obtain useful images.
LEARN ABOUT EXOTIC PET VETERINARY CARE
Digital Dental X-Rays
Dental radiographs are different from standard body X-rays. A small digital sensor is positioned inside the mouth to create detailed images of individual teeth, roots and surrounding bone.
A large portion of each tooth lies below the gumline and cannot be evaluated during an awake oral examination. A tooth may appear relatively normal above the gum while significant disease is present around the root or within the supporting bone.
Dental X-rays may reveal:
Periodontal bone loss
Infected tooth roots
Tooth-root abscesses
Fractured roots
Retained roots
Dead or non-vital teeth
Feline tooth resorption
Unerupted or impacted teeth
Abnormal root development
Jaw-bone abnormalities
Disease hidden beneath the gumline
We use digital dental radiography during comprehensive anesthetic dental procedures so that treatment decisions are based on the entire tooth—not just the portion visible above the gum.
Post-extraction images may also be obtained to confirm that roots have been completely removed when medically appropriate.
The American Veterinary Dental College explains why dental radiographs are necessary for identifying painful disease beneath the gumline.
LEARN ABOUT PET DENTAL CARE & FULL-MOUTH X-RAYS
Our veterinarians interpret many routine radiographic studies at Aliso Beach Animal Clinic. When a case is complex, subtle, unusual or medically urgent, we can submit the digital images and relevant medical history for consultation with a board-certified veterinary radiologist.
A board-certified veterinary radiologist is a veterinarian who has completed advanced postgraduate specialty training in diagnostic imaging and passed a recognized certification examination.
The radiologist reviews the complete study and provides a written report that may include:
A description of relevant findings
Possible or most likely diagnoses
Important alternative explanations
Recommendations for additional views or imaging
Suggestions for laboratory testing or follow-up
Comparison with previous images when available
Stat Radiology Reviews
For medically urgent cases, stat board-certified radiologist consultation is available. When the study and case history are submitted as a stat review, a complete written specialist report is often available in under two hours.
Actual turnaround can vary with specialist availability, image quality, transmission time and the complexity of the case. A stat review does not replace immediate stabilization of a critically ill patient.
This rapid specialist access can be particularly helpful when evaluating:
Breathing difficulty
Major trauma
A suspected obstruction
A complicated fracture
A possible internal mass
An unclear chest abnormality
A rapidly changing patient
A case in which treatment decisions depend on prompt interpretation
Routine and Stat Reports Are Complete Written Consultations
A specialist review is more than a verbal opinion or brief image check. The radiologist receives the available images and clinical history and provides a formal written interpretation for the medical record.
To make the consultation as useful as possible, our team submits:
The complete imaging study
The patient’s species, breed and age
Relevant symptoms and examination findings
Important laboratory results
Previous imaging when available
The specific clinical question being investigated
High-quality images and a clear medical history allow the radiologist to provide a more clinically useful report.
Abdominal Ultrasound by a Traveling Veterinary Imaging Specialist
Radiographs and ultrasound provide different types of information.
X-rays are especially useful for bones, the chest, gas patterns, mineral material and the overall size and position of organs. Ultrasound uses sound waves to examine the internal architecture and movement of abdominal soft tissues in real time.
At Aliso Beach Animal Clinic, abdominal ultrasound examinations are performed at our hospital by a traveling veterinary imaging specialist.
An abdominal ultrasound may be recommended for:
Chronic or recurring vomiting
Persistent diarrhea
Unexplained weight loss
Abdominal pain
Reduced appetite
Abnormal liver or kidney values
Pancreatic disease
Urinary problems
An abdominal mass
Changes in the spleen, liver or gallbladder
Possible intestinal disease
Abdominal fluid
Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation. Its usefulness depends substantially on image quality, the patient, the organs being examined and the skill and experience of the person performing the study.
The abdomen generally must be shaved so the ultrasound probe can make appropriate contact with the skin. Many pets can be examined without general anesthesia, although mild sedation may be recommended when anxiety, pain or movement would interfere with the study.
Ultrasound appointments depend on specialist availability and the patient’s medical urgency.
LEARN ABOUT ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND FOR DOGS & CATSLEARN ABOUT BLOOD WORK & SPECIALTY LABORATORY TESTING
Mobile Veterinary CT Scans
Computed tomography, commonly called a CT or CAT scan, creates a series of cross-sectional X-ray images that can be reconstructed to provide detailed views of internal anatomy.
CT can provide substantially more structural detail than standard radiographs for selected conditions.
Aliso Beach Animal Clinic can arrange CT imaging through a mobile veterinary CT unit that comes to our hospital. This allows selected patients to receive advanced imaging without automatically being referred to a distant specialty facility for the scan itself.
Conditions That May Benefit From CT
CT may be considered when evaluating:
Complex fractures
Skull, jaw or nasal disease
Dental and facial abnormalities
Middle-ear disease
Spinal or orthopedic conditions
Chest masses or small pulmonary nodules
Abdominal masses
Surgical planning
Selected vascular abnormalities
Conditions not adequately characterized by standard X-rays or ultrasound
CT is not automatically superior for every problem. Ultrasound may be more appropriate for some abdominal soft-tissue conditions, and MRI may be preferred for certain brain, spinal-cord or soft-tissue disorders.
General Anesthesia for Mobile CT
CT images are created rapidly, but the patient must remain precisely positioned and completely still. For CT examinations performed through our mobile unit, general anesthesia is required.
Before anesthesia, the veterinarian evaluates the patient and may recommend:
A physical examination
Blood work
Urinalysis
Chest imaging
Additional stabilization or testing
Changes to the anesthetic plan based on age or medical condition
An IV catheter, airway protection, oxygen delivery and physiologic monitoring are incorporated according to the patient and procedure.
LEARN ABOUT ANESTHESIA & PATIENT MONITORING
Board-Certified Radiologist Interpretation
The mobile CT service includes interpretation by a board-certified veterinary radiologist. The radiologist reviews the complete CT study and provides a formal written report for our veterinarian.
The report is considered together with:
The physical examination
Blood and urine results
Previous radiographs or ultrasound
Biopsy or cytology results
The patient’s response to treatment
Our veterinarian then discusses the findings, remaining questions and recommended next steps with the pet owner.
CT uses rotating X-rays and computer processing to create cross-sectional and potentially three-dimensional images. The American College of Veterinary Radiology CT resource provides additional information.
Choosing Between X-Rays, Ultrasound and CT
Each imaging method has different strengths.
Digital X-Rays Are Often Best For
Bones and fractures
Joint alignment
Chest screening
Heart and lung patterns
Gas patterns
Some urinary stones
Initial foreign-body evaluation
Dental roots and jaw bone when using intraoral dental equipment
Ultrasound Is Often Best For
Internal abdominal-organ architecture
The liver, spleen, kidneys and bladder
The pancreas and gallbladder
Intestinal-wall changes
Abdominal fluid
Real-time movement
Guiding selected needle samples
CT Is Often Best For
Complex three-dimensional anatomy
The skull and nasal passages
Detailed fracture evaluation
Surgical planning
Small chest lesions
Selected spinal and orthopedic conditions
Detailed evaluation of a mass and surrounding structures
Sometimes more than one imaging method is needed because each answers a different question.
Does My Pet Need Sedation or Anesthesia for X-Rays?
Many routine radiographic studies can be completed while a calm pet is awake. However, sedation may be recommended when:
The pet is frightened or unable to remain still
Positioning would be painful
Precise orthopedic views are required
Movement has made previous images nondiagnostic
The patient may injure itself or the veterinary team
Stress would significantly worsen the pet’s condition
Sedation is not used merely for convenience. In selected cases, it can reduce fear, minimize repeated positioning and help us obtain a more diagnostic study with fewer exposures.
General anesthesia is required for:
Mobile CT examinations at our hospital
Comprehensive dental radiography as part of an anesthetic dental procedure
Selected specialized studies when complete immobility or airway control is necessary
Preparing Your Pet for Diagnostic Imaging
Preparation depends on the type of study.
When scheduling, ask whether your pet should:
Fast before the appointment
Continue normal medication
Arrive with a full or empty bladder
Bring previous imaging or laboratory reports
Receive prescribed anxiety medication before arrival
Please tell us if your pet:
Has previously reacted to sedation or anesthesia
May be pregnant
Has heart, lung, kidney or liver disease
Has difficulty breathing
Is taking medication or supplements
Has had imaging performed elsewhere
Is painful or difficult to position
Previous images should be provided in their original digital format whenever possible. Photographs of an X-ray displayed on a screen generally do not preserve enough image quality for reliable comparison.
Imaging During Same-Day Urgent Care
Digital radiography can be particularly valuable when a pet is evaluated for an unexpected illness or injury.
Urgent imaging may be recommended for:
Difficulty breathing
Major trauma
Sudden lameness
A possible fracture
A distended or painful abdomen
Repeated vomiting
A suspected foreign object
Inability to urinate
Possible internal bleeding
An acute exotic-pet problem
Aliso Beach Animal Clinic provides same-day urgent veterinary care during regular clinic hours when staffing, case volume and the patient’s needs allow. We are not a 24-hour emergency hospital.
Call before arriving so our team can assess the situation and prepare appropriately.
LEARN ABOUT SAME-DAY URGENT CARE
How Imaging Works With Laboratory Testing
Imaging and laboratory tests frequently provide complementary information.
For example:
Blood work may identify anemia while imaging helps investigate internal bleeding.
Kidney values may be abnormal while X-rays or ultrasound evaluate kidney size, stones or structural changes.
Liver enzymes may be elevated while ultrasound evaluates the appearance of the liver and gallbladder.
Vomiting may produce electrolyte changes while abdominal imaging investigates obstruction or organ disease.
High calcium may lead to imaging for urinary stones, masses or other underlying causes.
The most effective diagnostic plan is usually based on the combined medical picture rather than one isolated test.
EXPLORE PET BLOOD WORK & DIAGNOSTICS
Frequently Asked Questions About Veterinary Imaging
How quickly are digital X-rays available?
The images appear on our medical workstation shortly after they are obtained. The time needed for complete interpretation depends on the number of images, the complexity of the case and whether specialist consultation is requested.
Can you send my pet’s X-rays to a specialist?
Yes. Digital studies can be transmitted securely to a board-certified veterinary radiologist for interpretation.
How quickly is a stat radiologist report available?
Stat consultations often return a complete written report in under two hours. Actual turnaround can vary according to specialist availability, image quality and case complexity.
Is a radiologist consultation included with every X-ray?
Not necessarily. Our veterinarians interpret many routine studies. Specialist consultation may be recommended for urgent, complex, subtle or unusual findings or when an independent formal report would help guide treatment.
What is the difference between an X-ray and a dental X-ray?
Standard radiographs evaluate larger body regions. Dental radiographs use a small intraoral sensor to create detailed images of individual teeth, roots and surrounding jaw bone.
Do dental X-rays require anesthesia?
Yes. Proper dental radiographs require precise placement of a sensor inside the mouth and complete patient immobility. They are obtained during a comprehensive anesthetic dental procedure.
Does my pet need sedation for routine X-rays?
Not always. Many calm pets can be positioned while awake. Sedation may be recommended when pain, anxiety or movement would prevent a useful or safe study.
Are ultrasounds performed at your hospital?
Yes. Abdominal ultrasounds are performed at Aliso Beach Animal Clinic by a traveling veterinary imaging specialist. Appointments depend on specialist availability and medical urgency.
Do you offer CT scans?
Yes. We can arrange CT examinations through a mobile veterinary CT unit that comes to our hospital.
Does a CT scan require anesthesia?
Yes. CT scans performed through our mobile service require general anesthesia so the patient remains completely still and properly positioned.
Who interprets the CT scan?
The CT study is interpreted by a board-certified veterinary radiologist, who provides a complete written report.
Is CT better than ultrasound?
Not in every situation. CT and ultrasound show anatomy differently. The best study depends on the organ, suspected disease and medical question.
Can you take X-rays of exotic pets?
Yes, for many birds, rabbits, reptiles and small mammals. Available imaging and positioning requirements depend on the species and condition. Call before scheduling.
How much does veterinary imaging cost?
Cost depends on the number and type of images, sedation or anesthesia, specialist interpretation and whether additional testing is needed. We provide an estimate based on the recommended plan.
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Schedule Pet X-Rays in Laguna Beach
Diagnostic imaging should produce more than a picture. It should help answer a focused medical question and guide the next step in your pet’s care.
Aliso Beach Animal Clinic provides high-quality digital X-rays, dental radiography, stat board-certified consultations, traveling-specialist ultrasound and mobile CT imaging for dogs, cats and many exotic pets in Laguna Beach.
CALL (949) 499-4190REQUEST AN IMAGING APPOINTMENTAliso Beach Animal Clinic
30816 Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Directly across from the Montage Laguna Beach
Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Medical review: Reviewed and certified for medical accuracy by Bryan Hayter, DVM, Owner and Medical Director. Last reviewed July 2026.
