A new CT scanner at our Calne branch: faster answers and better care

We’re really pleased to share some exciting news: Chalkland Vets Calne now has an in-house CT scanner! 

If you’ve ever sat at home worrying while your pet is unwell, you’ll know how hard it is not to have clear answers. CT scanning is one of the best tools we have for getting those answers quickly and accurately, helping us plan treatment with confidence and (most importantly) helping your pet feel better sooner. 

In this post, we’ll explain what a CT scan is, how it works, how it differs from X-rays and other types of imaging, and why having CT available at Calne is such a big step forward for our patients. We’ll also cover how local veterinary practices can refer patients to us for outpatient CT scans, even if the pet isn’t registered with Chalkland Vets. 

What is a CT scan? 

CT stands for Computed Tomography. A CT scanner uses X-rays taken from lots of different angles around the body, then a computer processes them to create highly detailed cross-sectional images (think “slices”) of your pet’s anatomy. Those slices can also be reconstructed into 3D images, which can be incredibly helpful for understanding complex areas like the head, chest, spine, and joints. 

CT is particularly good at showing: 

• Bone and joints 

• The lungs and chest cavity 

• The nasal passages and sinuses 

• Many soft-tissue structures (especially with contrast dye) 

• Tiny changes that might be missed on standard X-rays

How does CT scanning work? 

A CT scan is usually a quick procedure, but it requires your pet to stay very still so the images aren’t blurred. For that reason, most pets have a short general anaesthetic or heavy sedation. 

A typical CT visit looks like this: 

• We examine your pet and review their history (and any notes from your referring vet, if applicable). 

• Your pet is given a short anaesthetic or sedation, with monitoring throughout. 

• They lie on a padded table that moves through the scanner. 

• The scanner takes a rapid series of images, often in just a few minutes. 

• In some cases, we give a contrast agent (a special dye) into a vein to highlight blood vessels and improve soft-tissue detail. 

• Your pet wakes up in a warm, quiet recovery area with our team keeping a close eye on them. 

We’ll always talk you through the plan in advance, including why anaesthesia is recommended and how we keep your pet safe at every step. 

CT and other diagnostic methods: what’s the difference? 

X-rays are a brilliant, widely used tool in veterinary medicine. They’re fast, affordable, and often the best first step. But X-rays produce a single flat image of a 3D body, meaning structures overlap. That overlap can hide problems or make changes difficult to interpret, especially in complicated areas like the skull or chest. 

CT reduces this issue because it creates cross-sectional images. Instead of trying to “guess” what’s happening behind overlapping structures, we can look at the exact area, layer by layer. 

Ultrasound is excellent for other situations, such as many abdominal organs and heart scans, and it can be done while your pet is awake in lots of cases. It’s especially useful for assessing soft tissues, fluid, and guiding needle samples. However, it can’t see through bone or air, unlike X-rays or CT. 

MRI is best for certain soft-tissue problems, particularly the brain and spinal cord, as it gives exceptional detail of nerves and soft tissues. 

Different scans suit different problems, and we’ll always recommend the most appropriate option for your pet. 

CT often sits in the “sweet spot” for cases where we need detailed information quickly, especially for bone, chest, nasal disease, trauma, and surgical planning. 

Why CT is so helpful for pets 

When a pet is unwell, the biggest challenge is often narrowing down what’s going on inside the body. CT gives us clarity, and that can make a huge difference. 

CT can help us: 

• Confirm (or rule out) a suspected diagnosis 

• Locate the exact site and extent of disease 

• Plan surgery more accurately 

• Assess the stage of certain cancers and look for spread 

• Decide whether medical management or surgery is the best option 

• Avoid exploratory procedures in some cases 

What conditions might a CT scan be used for? 

CT can be useful in a wide range of cases, including: 

• Nose and sinus problems (chronic sneezing, nosebleeds, suspected foreign bodies, nasal tumours) 

• Ear disease (middle/inner ear issues, complex infections) 

• Lung and chest conditions (lung masses, metastatic spread, chronic respiratory disease) 

• Trauma (road traffic accidents, falls, complex fractures) 

• Spinal and orthopaedic issues (certain disc problems, joint disease, surgical planning) 

• Abdominal concerns (selected cases where detailed cross-sectional imaging is needed) 

• Dental and jaw problems (complex dental disease, jaw lesions) 

Every patient is different, so we’ll always recommend imaging based on your pet’s symptoms, examination, and what we need to know to move forward safely. 

The advantages of having CT in-house at Calne 

Having CT scanning available at our Calne branch brings some real benefits for pets and owners: 

• Quicker access to advanced imaging, which can speed up diagnosis and treatment 

• Less travelling and less stress for pets who might otherwise need to go elsewhere 

• Continuity of care, with your pet looked after by a team you know 

• Faster decision-making, especially in urgent or complex cases 

• Better surgical planning, which can reduce anaesthetic time and improve outcomes 

For many conditions, time matters. Being able to scan promptly, without needing to move your pet to another clinic and complete lots of referral paperwork, can be a game changer. Clearer pictures can mean clearer answers, and that can make all the difference when your pet needs us. 

CT referrals welcomed 

Our new CT service at Calne isn’t only for Chalkland Vets clients. We’re also happy to support the wider local veterinary community by offering outpatient CT scanning by referral. 

If your pet is under the care of another local vet, they can refer you to us for a CT scan. Your pet can come in for the scan and then continue their ongoing care with their usual practice, unless additional support is requested. 

If you’re a pet owner and a CT scan has been mentioned as a possibility, speak to your vet first. If you’re a referring practice, please get in touch with our team at Calne to discuss suitability and how we can help.