Preparing Your Cat or Dog for a CT Scan: What Happens Before, During and After

If your veterinarian has recommended a CT scan for your cat or dog, it is natural to have questions. What does the scan actually involve? Will my pet need to be put under anaesthetic? How long will they be away from me, and what does recovery look like afterwards? 

This guide walks through the full journey, from the moment a scan is recommended to the day your pet comes home, so you know what to expect at each stage.

Why a Veterinarian Might Recommend a CT Scan

A Pet CT scan builds a detailed, cross-sectional view of the inside of your pet’s body, something a standard X-ray cannot always provide. Our veterinarians at Starlight Veterinary Hospital typically advise a CT scan for cases such as:

• Chronic nasal discharge or persistent sneezing
• Ear disease that has not responded to first-line treatment
• Head trauma or seizure activity
• Ongoing coughing or changes visible on chest X-rays
• Abdominal masses or suspected urinary stones
• Complex fractures or spinal pain
• Staging of a tumour that has already been diagnosed
• Pre-surgical planning where a standard X-ray does not give enough detail

In each of these situations, the goal is the same: to give your veterinarian a clearer picture before deciding on the next step, whether that is medication, surgery, or ongoing monitoring. 

Before the Scan: Preparing Your Pet

The Pre-Scan Assessment

Before any CT scan is booked, your pet is examined by one of our veterinarians. This assessment looks at your pet’s general health, current medications, and any conditions that might affect how they respond to sedation or a general anaesthetic. 

Senior pets and pets with existing heart, kidney, or liver conditions may be offered blood tests beforehand. This is not an extra hurdle; it is how we choose the safest sedation plan for your individual pet, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Fasting Instructions

Because most cats and dogs need sedation or a light general anaesthetic to stay completely still for a CT scan, your veterinary team will give you clear fasting instructions in advance, usually withholding food for a set number of hours before the appointment. 

Water is typically still permitted up until a specified time. Always follow the specific instructions given for your pet, since fasting requirements can vary slightly depending on age, health status, and the sedation protocol chosen.

What to Bring

If your pet has been referred from another clinic, bring any existing reports, previous imaging, or referral notes with you. This allows our veterinarians to build on the work already done rather than starting from scratch, and it can sometimes reduce the number of views or the length of the scan needed. 

Our in-house diagnostic team can also advise ahead of time if you have questions about what to bring.

On the Day: What Actually Happens

Arrival and Check-In

You will be asked to arrive slightly ahead of the scheduled scan time so the team can confirm fasting, check your pet’s weight and vital signs, and answer any last questions you have. 

This is a good moment to raise anything that has changed since the initial assessment, such as a new medication or a symptom you have noticed. 

Sedation or Anaesthesia

Most cats and dogs need sedation or a general anaesthetic for a CT scan, because the scan requires the patient to remain completely motionless.

 Unlike a human patient, a pet cannot be asked to simply hold still, so movement during the scan would blur the images and reduce their diagnostic value. Your veterinary team monitors vital signs closely throughout this process.

The Scan Itself

Once your pet is settled, the scan itself is quick, typically taking only a few minutes of actual imaging time, although the total appointment, including sedation and recovery, will take considerably longer. 

Your pet lies on a padded table that moves slowly through the scanner while a series of cross-sectional images is captured.

Recovery in Our Care

After the scan, your pet is moved to a quiet recovery area where a member of our team monitors them as the sedation wears off. Recovery time varies from pet to pet, and your veterinarian will let you know when your pet is ready to go home. 

Cats and dogs can sometimes seem a little groggy, unsteady, or unusually quiet for the rest of the day, which is a normal and expected part of coming round from sedation.

After the Scan: Results and Aftercare

When You Will Get Results

Your veterinarian will talk you through the findings once the images and test results have been reviewed. The timing may vary depending on the type and complexity of the diagnostic tests, and your veterinarian will explain what the results mean for your pet’s ongoing care, whether that involves starting treatment, planning surgery, or continued monitoring. 

Our diagnostic services support your pet’s health and help determine the most appropriate next steps. 

Caring for Your Pet at Home

For the rest of the day, most pets benefit from a quiet space to rest, away from other animals or young children, until the sedation has fully worn off. Offer water in small amounts first, and follow your veterinarian’s specific advice on when to reintroduce food, since this can depend on the sedation protocol used. 

Most cats and dogs are back to their normal selves within 24 hours, though your veterinary team will flag anything specific to watch for in your pet’s case.

A Note on Cost

Costs for a CT scan vary depending on the area of the body being scanned, whether contrast is required, and the type of sedation used. Rather than quoting a fixed figure here, we provide every pet owner with a clear written estimate before anything proceeds, so there are no surprises on the day.

Why Choose On-Site CT Scanning

Starlight Veterinary Hospital runs its own CT scanner in Ampang Jaya, alongside digital X-ray, ultrasound, and an in-house diagnostic laboratory. Because imaging and bloodwork happen under one roof, most investigations are completed and reviewed by your veterinarian, rather than requiring a referral to a separate imaging centre. 

That means less time spent travelling between appointments, and less time for you and your pet waiting on answers. 

If your pet has been referred for advanced imaging or is showing symptoms that require further investigation, contact our team to arrange a consultation and discuss whether a CT scan is the right next step. 

Frequently Asked Questions