Advanced CT Imaging for Dogs and Cats
Let's see what's inside your pet!
Charleston Vet Imaging delivers high-quality CT scans for dogs and cats, with rapid turnaround for the referring veterinarians who count on us. We're conveniently located inside Exotic Vet Care in Mount Pleasant, SC.
Advanced Veterinary CT Imaging for Dogs and Cats in Charleston
At Charleston Vet Imaging, we make advanced diagnostics simple for veterinarians and pet owners alike. Our facility features state-of-the-art CT technology, operated by experienced technicians and interpreted by board-certified radiologists. The result is the kind of clarity your veterinarian needs to make confident, timely decisions about your pet's care.
Patient Eligibility and Safety
As a dedicated imaging facility, we provide outpatient CT services only, and we accept patients with ASA Classification I–III.
Our weight guidelines are:
- Full-body studies: patients up to approximately 80 pounds
- Larger patients: head (skull) CT only
Your referring veterinarian is responsible for confirming that your pet meets these guidelines and is fit to undergo sedation and/or anesthesia safely. Most pets scheduled for a scan are already unwell, and, as with people, a small percentage may have a reaction to the contrast agent.
Full-Body Studies
Patients up to 80 pounds.
Skull CT Only
Patients over 80 pounds.
CT Imaging Services We Offer
We image a wide range of regions to help your veterinarian reach a fast, accurate diagnosis:
Not sure which study your patient needs?
Our team will help you choose the right protocol.
Call (843) 216-8387CT Scan Pricing (Per Region)
Pricing is based on your pet's weight and whether contrast is needed, with a flat rate for each additional region scanned. Regions include skull/neck, chest, abdomen, spine, and limbs/joints.
| Weight | With Contrast | No Contrast | Additional Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 25 lb | $1,475 | $1,200 | $300 |
| 26–50 lb | $1,750 | $1,300 | $350 |
| 51–80 lb | $2,250 | $1,400 | $450 |
| STAT (Add-On) | +$250 |
Includes: Sedation, anesthesia and monitoring, fluid support, outpatient hospitalization, and board-certified radiologist review.
Final pricing may vary depending on patient size and diagnostic complexity. You'll receive a detailed estimate before any payment is taken.
How to Register and Pay
All clients must preregister and prepay for CT services through the Digitail app. This keeps check-in fast and contact-free, and it keeps every appointment running on schedule.
Once downloaded:
- Search for Exotic Vet Care (Mount Pleasant, SC)
- Create your profile and add your pet
- Choose CT Scan Referral (Cat/Dog) from the service list
- Complete pre-registration and payment
- Fill out the Sedation/Anesthesia Consent Form
What to Expect on the Day of Your Appointment
- Arrival: Arrive 30 minutes early. Enter Exotic Vet Care and take a seat in the LEFT lobby.
- Check-In & Drop-Off: We'll confirm details and take your pet into our care.
- CT Scan: Performed under gentle anesthesia (about 15–20 minutes).
- Recovery: Your pet rests in a calm, temperature-controlled, monitored area.
- Discharge: Most pets go home 30–60 minutes after the scan. Feel free to run errands nearby; we'll contact you as soon as your pet is ready for pick-up.
- Results: A written report is sent to your referring veterinarian within 24 hours (same day for STAT cases).
Frequently Asked Questions
A CT (computed tomography) scan uses X-rays and rotating detectors to build detailed 3-D images that reveal internal structures a standard radiograph can't show. We use High Definition Volumetric Imaging (HDVI), a next-generation technology that delivers exceptional detail with less radiation, keeping the process safer for your pet and our team.
- Withhold food for 8 hours before the appointment (water is fine until 2 hours prior).
- Bring your pet on a leash or in a secure carrier.
- Continue prescribed medications unless told otherwise.
- All pets must be bathed and free of fleas. Clean coats and flea-free skin allow safe, sterile handling during imaging and recovery.
Premedication for a Fear Free experience: Most pets benefit from gentle calming medication before arrival. It lowers stress and allows smaller, safer doses of sedative or anesthesia. Please ask your veterinarian to follow our Fear Free Protocol using the premedication recommendations below.
Dogs:
- Gabapentin 10–20 mg/kg PO (5–10 mg/kg if geriatric/azotemic)
- Trazodone 2–5 mg/kg PO
Cats:
- Gabapentin 5–20 mg/kg PO (2.5–5 mg/kg if geriatric/azotemic)
- Either Buprenorphine 0.015–0.02 mg/kg TM/SL or Trazodone 12.5–25 mg per cat
Give medications 2 hours before the visit (and optionally the night before).
Most scans take 30–45 minutes including recovery time, and same-day discharge is typical.
Most likely, yes. Your veterinarian and our team determine the best protocol:
- Non-contrast: bone, sinus, and orthopedic imaging
- Contrast: soft-tissue, vascular, or tumor evaluation
We accept patients in ASA Classification I–III. Classes IV–V are not eligible for outpatient CT imaging.
| ASA Class | Description | Example Patients |
|---|---|---|
| I | Normal healthy patient | Elective procedure, no systemic disease |
| II | Mild systemic disease | Controlled diabetes, mild heart murmur, mild obesity |
| III | Moderate systemic disease | Stable heart disease, anemia, chronic kidney disease |
| IV–V | Not accepted for outpatient CT imaging | Severe or unstable disease requiring hospitalization |
Why Refer to Charleston Vet Imaging?
- Board-certified radiologist review on every scan
- Low-radiation HDVI technology for safer, high-detail imaging
- Rapid turnaround: reports within 24 hours, same-day for STAT cases
- All-inclusive pricing covering sedation, anesthesia, monitoring, and review
- Fear Free, outpatient care from an experienced team
Flexible Payment Options
We don't want cost to stand between your pet and the care they need. We accept CareCredit, Scratchpay, and Cherry to help make advanced imaging more manageable.
