As far as chest X-rays without sedation, I was told that K-State Veterinary Hospital never uses any kind of sedation for tests or X-rays. The oncologist laughed when I asked her if Susie would be sedated as they took her away (and told us to come back four hours later) for chest X-rays, blood tests, an abdominal ultrasound (they shaved her tummy first), and lymph node aspirations with a needle. "Oh, we don't use sedation for tests and X-rays!" I was told, and she looked at me as if I'd said something extremely amusing. (This was when Susie had the initial staging of her cancer two weeks before her amputation.)

Whenever they had to do something to Susie, they always took her away into another area so we couldn't see what they were doing--even last week when she got her stitches removed! We weren't allowed to be there. I guess they think it might be stressful for parents to see their pet in distress.

They didn't even allow her to have her pain med (Meloxidyl), which I'd brought with me and asked if they'd give it to her before or after the tests. And she hadn't been allowed to eat after 10 p.m. the night before. (I'm not sure why, since I was told they don't ever sedate pets.) It was after 4 p.m. when they called my cell phone and said we could come pick her up. I asked when I got there if she'd eaten or had her pain med yet (which she'd been taking for a few months by that time) and was told they didn't have time to feed her or give her the med.

But apparently she did well, and held perfectly still, so I guess they were right! Once a guinea pig of ours had to have X-rays taken at a private practice vet, and they sedated him so he'd hold still for the X-rays. Guinea pigs don't do well with anesthesia, and the poor little guy was never the same afterwards, and died a few days after the X-rays were taken. So I'm kind of glad that they don't give tranquilizers or any other kind of sedation at K-State for tests, ultrasounds, CAT Scans, MRIs, and X-rays.

Maybe there are a few vets who do use sedation for X-rays for dogs? I don't know, since we used a facility which doesn't.

Good luck on the X-rays! I'm sure that Sully will do fine!

Haha Susie is anything but relaxed when she's at a veterinary hospital! 

The oncology vet just told me they don't use sedation (on dogs, at least) at K-State for chest, X-rays, ultrasounds, etc.

I don't know how they get the dogs to stay motionless, as "pet parents" are not allowed in the X-ray or examining area!

Anyway, I was told that Susie did very well, and I was glad they didn't use sedation on her.

So glad to hear that Sully is doing well!

I've had cats that have scratched their corneas & our vet used the stain to diagnose them.  They both had to use eye drops.  It only affected 1 eye, and was very painful for them. 

We all fall prey to Dr. Google!  We will help pull you from the edge

Donna

Congrats Sully on 3 months! Keep up the good work! 

XO