04/29/2026
There is a reason you’ll hear us talk about different forms of imaging (x-rays, ultrasounds and more) for the same issue in your pet. It’s because there isn’t one form of easily-accessible imaging that clearly tells the whole story!
Mabel presented to us for urinary issues, so x-rays were taken and a stone identified. No problem, we can remove that! Owner was very motivated so we got that surgery scheduled. Nothing unusual was noted on the radiographs by the radiologist.
Then SURPRISE: when we went in to remove the stone there was a huge tumor attached to the bladder! Ah!!! That changes the surgery quite a bit. The owner was given options and asked us to try to remove it, so we did. And the best news? It came back as a tumor of the muscle and was completely excised, which means Mabel is CURED 🥳🥳🥳
So while this all worked out, x-rays didn’t tell the whole story. An ultrasound absolutely would have told us about the mass. So in this case they would have been complementary. Normally we collect urine from these kiddos with an ultrasound, but Mabel didn’t tolerate it so we never got to peak at her bladder. So surprise tumor we got instead!
