General Question

shammie's avatar

How/where can I get a full body X-ray of my dog?

Asked by shammie (64points) August 12th, 2010

I want to do an art project with my dog that involves her skeleton(side view). Can I go to a vet and just ask them? How much would it cost? Does anyone know someone in Humboldt county?

She is a very tall dog, weighs about 90lbs, and is not very flexible. She is a bit fussy about submitting to lay down for people, but she doesn’t bite, she is just skittish. I do not want to freak her out, but I also do not want to sedate her.

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

6 Answers

Pied_Pfeffer's avatar

How about calling your vet to ask?

Dog's avatar

We recently had x-rays taken of the chest region of our 60lb dog The cost was $240.00 and it was done without sedating her

Most Veterinarian x-Ray machines will not hold film large enough to capture the entire large dog in one shot so it would take a series of x-rays which may be more than I paid.
This is based on my experience in Southern California.

I would see if any large-animal veterinarians could tip you off to a larger machine such as they use for horses. Perhaps they could pull off the single image. I have no idea about costs in that area.

shammie's avatar

I asked my vet a few months ago, and she said she would not recommend it, or rather would not get an xray if it not necessary because it is radiation. She labels her practice as integrated, western and holistic. What she said worries me, especially since I am pretty sure I will need to get several x-rays in order to get her whole body.

Also, I need her to be in the standing position, a laying dog looks different than a standing dog… so maybe a horse one would be a good idea.

I was thinking maybe some students of a vet school or agriculture department may need some practice or something.

Pied_Pfeffer's avatar

Do they have to be of your dog? How about asking some vets, or as you mentioned a veterinary school source, if they have any x-rays that you can have? Think about it, how long would they need to hold on to old x-rays once an animal is fixed? (Maybe for a certain period of time in case of back-up for a potential law suit, but after awhile, they are going to get tossed.)

misstrikcy's avatar

Sorry, but are you really being serious about this?
I wouldn’t risk putting my dog through unnecessary radiation for the sake of an art project. Nor would I put them through sedation which is a fairly risky procedure for an animal at the best of times.
It sounds a little bit irresponsible and selfish, especially as there is nothing up with your dog.
Your vet sounds cool.

Please go with the suggestion made by @Pied_Pfeffer – go to a vet school, or college of agriculture (they may have xrays of larger animals) as they are bound to have copies of xrays that they might let you borrow – or at least they may be able to show you where you can find more resources to aid your project.

loser's avatar

Instead of unnecessarily radiating your dog, why don’t you look up some dog skeletons on the Internet and draw one? Make it a real art project.

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther