Patients may be appropriate candidates for PET/CT imaging when a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is needed for cancer detection, staging, or treatment monitoring. It is also valuable in cases involving complex inflammatory conditions, such as fever of unknown origin, where precise localization of disease activity is essential for guiding treatment. Patients will be admitted for imaging through the radiation oncology service – you can always call them with questions at xxxx or discuss case management with one of our other specialty teams.

What information is pertinent to include in the referral?

We kindly request a comprehensive patient history and relevant diagnostic findings, in addition to a summary in addition to a brief summary of the clinical indication for the PET/CT scan.

General anesthesia is required for PET/CT and, as with all other anesthetized procedures, we will ensure that patients are appropriately screened. A physical examination will be performed on all patients along with pre-anesthetic bloodwork (complete blood count and chemistry panel) if it has not been recently performed. Depending on the patient’s medical history, additional diagnostics—such as an echocardiogram for those with a heart murmur—may be recommended on a case-by-case basis.

The cost for PET/CT imaging includes the scan and interpretation, radioactive isotope, anesthesia, and hospitalization. Final charges may vary depending on the patient’s size and any additional pre-anesthetic diagnostic testing that may be required. Detailed estimates can be provided upon request to assist with case planning.

PET/CT is the most sensitive imaging modality available for detecting hypermetabolic tissue activity. Widely regarded as the gold standard for cancer detection and monitoring in both human and veterinary medicine, it also provides valuable diagnostic insight into localized and multifocal inflammatory conditions, as well as complex musculoskeletal disorders.

A PET Scan uses radioactive versions of normal molecules in the body to detect activity in the tissues. In our case, we are using a specific radioactive sugar molecule (F-18 or FDG) to look for increased metabolic activity that is associated with many types of cancer and other inflammatory processes.

How is this different from a regular CT or MRI?

A PET Scan is overlaid on top of a normal CT scan by advanced computers so the radioactive material's activity in the body (detected on the PET Scan) can be localized to specific tissues and organs. This allows us identify specific locations of potential tumors/cancers, as well as sources of inflammation.

A PET/CT scan may be recommended as part of the process of diagnosing cancer, finding sources of inflammation (for example, in the case of a patient with an unexplained fever or a patient with a lameness that standard X-rays are unable to diagnose), and in monitoring the response of some cancers to chemotherapy or other cancer treatment.

To ensure optimal image quality, the patient must remain completely still for 1–2 hours during the scan. As movement can significantly compromise the results, general anesthesia is required for the duration of the procedure, similar to protocols used for MRI.

The PET/CT scan typically takes approximately two hours to complete. However, the full process—including anesthesia administration, imaging, and post-procedure recovery while the radioactive tracer naturally clears from the body—generally spans 8 to 10 hours. Throughout this time, patients are closely monitored by our experienced medical team and are only discharged once their radiation levels have decreased to a point deemed safe for contact with others. Due to the short-lived nature of the isotope used, the risk of radiation exposure is minimal, and there is no concern for long-term radiation effects on the patient.

To ensure optimal scan accuracy, pets should be well rested the day prior to the procedure. Avoiding vigorous activity or high-impact exercise is important, as these can lead to increased metabolic activity in healing tissues, resulting in false-positive "hot spots" on the scan. Additionally, patients must fast after midnight the night before to ensure an empty stomach prior to anesthesia. A thorough medical history is essential to accurately interpret the scan and avoid misidentifying normal post-procedural uptake, such as at recent surgical or injection sites, as abnormal findings.

To schedule a PET/CT consultation, please contact our Oncology Service directly at (732) 747‑3636. Our team will review the patient’s medical history, discuss the appropriateness of PET/CT imaging, and coordinate all necessary pre-anesthetic testing. Following consultation, we will assist with scheduling the scan and provide a detailed estimate upon request.