Modality

Detection

Cost

Advantages

Disadvantages

MRI

Soft Tissue & Bone

$1,200-$3,000

Specific, anatomic

Expensive, requires anesthesia

CT

Soft Tissue & Bone

$1,200-$3,000

Specific, anatomic

Expensive, requires anesthesia

Nuclear Scintigraphy

Bone and some soft-

$500-$2,000

Whole body, sensitive,

Not specific, will require follow-up,

tissue structures

physiologic

diagnostics; usually 3 days in 

hospital, invasive

Ultrasound

Soft tissue, some bone

$100-$300 per

Specific anatomic

Limited by region, may require

region

sedation and clipping

Radiographs

Bone, some soft tissue

$100-$300 per

Less expensive, good

Limited by region, may require

(if swollen and infected)

image or region

quality now with digital

sedation, radiation exposure

radiographs

Thermography

Bone and oft tissue

$175-$350 for 

Full body evaluation

Correct preparation is necessary

saddle-fit/lower

non-invasive, early

for a good evaluation; artifacts may alter 

limb and full body 

detection of problems

images, often requires follow-up 

scan includes vet

BEFORE clinical signs,

diagnostics

and farrier 

Physiologic

interpretation

Veterinarian's

General

$150 plus

Considered the

Often requires follow-up diagnostics

Lameness

regional blocks

standard "first step",

not always sensitive or specific

Evaluation

important general 

baseline