Pets in the Houston area now have access to human-quality imagery to get the treatment they deserve, thanks to the new Sage Veterinary Imaging (SVI). Working closing with local veterinarians, SVI offers the latest research-grade technology to obtain highly detailed images that enable accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plans for area pets. The new clinic is located at 8101 Cypresswood, Spring.

When our pets are in pain, they can't tell us where it hurts," explains Dr. Jaime Sage, chief radiologist and founder. "Our mission is to help find answers fast using our human-quality imaging, and work with local veterinarians to deliver the treatment your pet needs."

"The technology we offer pets is comparable to services at the best healthcare facilities for humans. Due to the cost and complexity of operating a 3T MRI, this type of high-level diagnostic equipment is still very rare in veterinary medicine—but it's desperately needed," according to Dr. Sage. "For area veterinarians, it means having a clearer picture of the problem that will yield a better outcome for the pet." 

Sage Veterinary Imaging is accredited by the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) as a teaching hospital, and the Spring clinic includes:

• 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, and other internal body structures. MRI has been used for more than 30 years in veterinary medicine to diagnose or assess brain tumors, slipped discs, spinal cancer, inner ear infections, liver shunts, ACL tears, lameness, and various joint injuries. The 3T MRI offers twice the accuracy in half the time.

• 128-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner; A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce images of the inside of the body including bones, muscles, fat, organs and blood vessels. The 128-slice CT scanner offers more detectors than a 16 or 64 slice CT, larger volume coverage and shorter scan times.

• High-resolution console ultrasound. Ultrasound enables the veterinary team to visualize disease processes more clearly and perform biopsies more accurately. Ultrasound is commonly used to diagnose conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, pancreatitis, intestinal foreign-body obstruction, and abdominal cancer.

• Echocardiography with full workups. An electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) records the electrical signals in the heart and can quickly detect heart problems and monitor the heart's health.

• Image-guided biopsies. An image-guided biopsy allows the veterinarian to biopsy suspicious areas that can't readily be seen or felt through the skin. Using an imaging technique such as ultrasound, the veterinarian can guide the biopsy needle into the best position to obtain a sample of suspicious cells.

The Spring imaging center is the third location for SVI; other imaging centers are located in Sandy, Utah, and Round Rock, Texas.