PET scan (Positronemissietomography) is an imaging analysis that evaluates how well tissues and organs function. It also tests for symptoms of cancer. The scan uses a small amount of radioactive material called a tracer.
Tracers are in areas of the body where there is an increased degree of chemical energy. This can be a symptom of cancer or other diseases. Tracers measure blood flow, insert air, and help insert metabolic changes into specific tissues or organs. Metabolism is the chemical process your body uses to convert food into energy.
The chemical makeup of your body can occur before you sign on to a disease. Thus, family animal scans have the opportunity to find disease symptoms in the early stages, often before the difficulties seen in other imaging studies.
Other name: Positron Emission Tomography.
What is it used for?
Family animal scans are most often used to
- Diagnosis of certain forms of cancer or staying under control, such as breast, thyroid, and lung cancer
- Discover how well your heart muscle works.
- Check the blood flow to your heart
- Identify symptoms of certain brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and forms of dementia. Dementia is not considered a specific disease. It is a term used to describe a decline in intellectual function severe enough to affect daily life.
Companion animal scans are often combined with CT scans. This is a type of x-ray that takes a series of pictures while the scan is rotated.
Why is a companion animal scan necessary?
A companion animal scan may be necessary to determine if cancer is present. If cancer is already established with you, you may need this test to see if your cancer treatment is keeping up.
Companion animal scans can also help diagnose and check for heart and brain disorders. Therefore, this test may be necessary.
- They have a family history of cardiovascular disease.
- They are being treated for heart disease. This test can indicate if the treatment is working.
- Signs of brain damage such as tremors, memory problems, seizures, etc.
What happens during a companion animal scan?
For the scan, the patient wears a hospital jacket. You may be asked to empty your bladder. During the scan:
- Your care provider will inject a radioactive tracer into your vein via an intravenous (IV) line. The tracer transmits a form of energy called a palette ray. The rays are collected by the scanner, creating an image of the inside of the body.
- You must wait until the tracer is absorbed by your body. This can take 45-60 minutes.
- Next, lie down on a narrow, flexible table that slides into a large tunnel scanner.
- The scanner slowly moves over the trunk to capture the image. You must be fairly immobile.
- The scanner sends the images to a computer monitor where your physician can view them.
- Your physician will remove the injection line.
Need to prepare for the test?
You will be asked not to eat or drink 4-6 hours before the test.
If you have diabetes and use insulin, you may need to modify the timing of your normal doses. Your physician will provide specific instructions regarding insulin adjustments.
Also tell your doctor if you have claustrophobia (fear of small spaces). Your physician may decide to give you medication for the test to help you relax.
Was there any danger in the test?
There are not enough effects to scan family animals. Only small amounts of radioactive material are used and all radiation leaves the cadaver in the direction of 2 to 10 hours.
Exposure to radiation in scanning family animals is not dangerous for most adult animals, but may be harmful to the fetus. Therefore, if you are pregnant or think you are pregnant, you should notify your supplier. Additionally, notify your supplier if you are breastfeeding, as tracers can be contagious to breast milk.
Allergic reactions to the indicator are rare and usually mild.
What do the results mean?
Depending on which part of the body is being scanned, results can indicate
- Cancer. Cancer cells can be seen as colorful spots on the family animal scan.
- Heart disease. Scans can show decreased blood flow to the heart.
- Brain disease. Scans may demonstrate the composition of certain chemicals in the brain that may indicate disease.
If you have a CT scan, your doctor will display the results of the two scans and make a diagnosis.
If you have questions about the results, consult your physician.
Is there anything else I should know about scanning a companion animal?
The results of your puppy’s scan will be seen by a radiologist, a physician who deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases with the help of imaging technology. He or she will share the results with your physician.
Supplied by MedlinePlus from the State Medical Library.
About Us
Family Medicine
In 2024 our team of doctors and nurses provide a comprehensive range of family planning services. Our doctors have expertise in antenatal care, preconception planning, and STD checks. Contraceptive advice including Mirena and Implanon insertion is available.
- Early detection of illness;
- Family planning;
- Promotion of healthy lifestyle;
- Skin cancer checks;
- Sports injuries;
- Weight reduction;
- Workers compensation and third party.
Children's Health
Baby Weighing Service. Babies can be booked with our Nurse for weighing, a doctors appointment is not required to use this service. Contact reception for a appointment to have your baby weighed.
Immunisations. At Tuggeranong Square children's immunisation is regarded an important part of your childs health care. Our doctors take immunising children very seriously. and to ensure all children are immunised Tuggeranong Square Medical Practice doctors BULK BILL for all childhood immunisations. Tuggeranong Square Medical Practice also ensures the Practice Nursing Staff are highly trained in childhood immunisations.
Women's Health
Our practice is dedicated to treating a wide spectrum of women’s health concerns. We offer pre-natal, antenatal and postnatal care, contraceptive options, pap screening, and preventative health care advice. We provide assistance, advice and support through all stages of life, recognising the many issues many women may face from adolescence through to the peri and post-menopausal period.
- Cervical Screening tests;
- Reproductive health. Including Mirena and Implanon insertion;
- Shared antenatal care.
Men's Health
We encourage men to present routinely to their GP to discuss all aspects of their health. We provide comprehensive advice and support for men to address the prevention and management of various health conditions. This may include assessments for cardiovascular risk, diabetes, cancer prevention, mental health assessments, STD screening, sports injuries and the importance of sleep as it relates to other areas of health.
- Preventative Healthcare. Including cardiovascular screening, mental health and cancer checks;
- Prostate examination.
