Pretoria Pet MRI

09/06/2025

🐾Persistent Nasal Discharge in our pets? MRI Can Help Uncover the Cause

MRI is just as valuable as CT scans when it comes to diagnosing nasal problems in pets. Many people think only CT is used, but MRI gives us incredibly detailed information—especially about how far a problem might be spreading and whether it’s affecting the brain, nerves, or soft tissues.

We recently had two very different patients come in with chronic nasal discharge. Both got better for a little while on anti-inflammatories and antibiotics—but the symptoms returned the moment treatment stopped. This is when we turn to advanced imaging to get a clearer picture of what’s really going on.

🐾Case 1: Alex the Rottweiler
Alex came to us with a bloody nose and nasal discharge. His MRI revealed a large mass inside the nose, causing destruction on both sides (worse on the left). The mass was blocking his sinuses and had spread toward the back of the throat and surrounding muscles. It looked like a nasal tumor (possibly an adenocarcinoma), and there were also signs of secondary infection. Thanks to the MRI, we could clearly see the extent of the mass and start planning the best course of action.

🐾Case 2: Bolt the Spaniel
Bolt’s MRI showed a destructive mass on the left side of his nose, with signs it had started spreading behind the eye and into the front part of the brain. There was swelling in the nearby brain tissue too. This was also most likely a malignant tumor. Without MRI, this extension into the brain might not have been noticed until much later.

If your pet/patient has a runny nose that doesn’t clear up, comes back again and again, or has bloody discharge, MRI can be a game-changer. It helps us understand what’s causing the issue and how far it’s gone, so we can treat it more effectively.

06/05/2025

🧠 Why We Love MRI: A Bulging Eye and a Happy Ending!

Meet this sweet 8-year-old Wire-Haired Pointer who came to us with something quite unusual — his left eye had suddenly started to bulge out. His lovely owners were understandably worried. He wasn’t in pain, and his vision and eye pressure were normal, but something didn’t look right.

Their regular vet had already tried a short course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories — just in case it was an infection or swelling — but it hadn’t helped. That’s when he was referred to us for advanced imaging. And this is where MRI really shines. 💡

The MRI showed a large, smooth, well-defined structure hiding behind his left eye — actually a very enlarged salivary gland called the zygomatic salivary gland. It had grown enough to push his eye forward and squash some nearby muscles, but importantly, it hadn’t invaded any bones or his brain.

The good news?
It wasn’t a tumour and there was no permanent damage. The most likely cause was a severe inflammation of the gland, called sialadenitis — and the best part is, it's treatable! With the right treatment and time to recover, he’s now feeling great and looking more handsome than ever. 🐾

MRI helped us see exactly what was going on, without surgery, and made sure this lovely boy got the right treatment quickly. He's now back to enjoying life — and his eye is back where it belongs!🐾

This case is a great reminder of how powerful advanced imaging like MRI can be — giving us answers, avoiding guesswork, and helping our furry friends feel better faster.

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08/04/2025

🐾 Bolt’s Story: Why MRI Matters for Pets

This is Bolt, a 6-year-old, 25kg neutered male dog with loads of energy and personality. About a year ago, he had some back pain, got conservative treatment, and did really well.

But recently, his owners noticed he didn’t want to go up stairs or jump like before. When he came in for a check-up, we found some wobbliness and weakness in his back leg. X-rays showed a narrowed disc space in his lower spine — so we did an MRI to get a better look.

The MRI showed a large disc extrusion at L1-L2 that’s pressing on his spinal cord — it’s causing about 50% compression. That’s a big deal and explains his symptoms. There were also a couple of other mild disc issues, but the main problem is that L1-L2 area. The rest of his spine looks good, which is great news.

We’ve added a few of Bolt’s MRI images here — the orange arrows point to the problem areas.

MRI gave us clear answers, fast. It showed exactly where the issue is and how serious it is. That’s something we can’t always see with just X-rays.

If your pet starts acting differently — maybe avoiding stairs, walking strangely, or not playing like usual — it might be time to look deeper. We offer MRI for both dogs and cats. It’s safe, detailed, and incredibly helpful in finding out what’s really going on.🐾

10/03/2025

🐾 Understanding Your Pet’s Spinal Health: A Recent Case at Pretoria Pet MRI

Meet Max, a 6-year-old, long-haired dachshund who recently came to us with difficulty moving his back legs. His posture suggested something called Schiff-Sherrington syndrome, a condition where spinal cord damage causes stiffness in the front legs and weakness or paralysis in the back legs. This can be very alarming for pet owners, but advanced imaging helps us understand what’s happening.

💡 What did the MRI show?
Our MRI scan revealed a severe spinal cord injury at the lower back (L2 vertebra). The radiologist diagnosed it as a fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE)—a type of stroke in the spinal cord. This occurs when a small piece of cartilage blocks blood flow, leading to sudden paralysis. The good news? There was no need for surgery, and with the right care and rehabilitation, Max has a good chance of recovery!

🔍 Additional MRI Findings:
- A small disc protrusion at L1-L2, touching the spinal cord but not significantly compressing it. Highly irregular hyperintense area at caudal L1, slightly elevating the cord but also not compressing it.

🩺 What’s next for Max?
With physiotherapy, supportive care, and lots of love, many pets with FCE regain function over time. Each case is different, but early diagnosis with MRI plays a crucial role in guiding treatment.

If your pet suddenly loses mobility, don't wait—advanced imaging can make all the difference! 📍 Contact Pretoria Pet MRI for expert care.

04/03/2025

Welcome to Part 2 of our series on everything MRI! 🐾

This video is all about our very own MRI machine 🐶

If you have any further questions, make sure to contact us!

📞 WhatsApp: 083 440 3058 (Sr Yolanda Rachmann)

🌐 www.ppmri.co.za
✉️ info@ppmri.co.za
📍829 Old Farm Rd Faerie Glen, Pretoria 0043, Gauteng South Africa

20/02/2025

Welcome to our short series on everything MRI! 🐶

We have made sure to cover important points within the MRI world that help you, as pet owner, better understand the procedure your pet may require.

If you have any further questions, make sure to contact us!

📞 WhatsApp: 083 440 3058 (Sr Yolanda Rachmann)

🌐 www.ppmri.co.za
✉️ info@ppmri.co.za

📍829 Old Farm Rd Faerie Glen, Pretoria 0043, Gauteng South Africa

14/02/2025

14/01/2025

Case Highlight: Golden Retriever with Hind Limb Weakness🐾

This golden retriever came to us unable to stand, leaving their family very worried. Clinical signs showed no response to movement in the back legs (no conscious proprioception), though deep pain sensation was still present. Reflexes in the knees (patella) and sciatic nerve were reduced on both sides.

🩻 MRI Findings:

Severe changes in the muscles and tissue around the left hip and pelvic region, consistent with traumatic muscle injury (oedema and haemorrhage).

Advanced hip dysplasia (coxarthrosis) on the same side, with the trauma likely worsening joint pain.

Significant trauma near the sciatic nerve, causing possible compression or irritation (neurapraxia).

A large cavity crossing the right sacroiliac joint, unrelated to the trauma. While it doesn’t appear aggressive, its origin is uncertain. Possible causes include a joint or subchondral cyst, though destructive conditions like chondrosarcoma are less likely.

This case shows how MRI can uncover hidden injuries and help vets provide better care 🩺🐾. It’s a reminder that advanced diagnostics make a world of difference for our furry friends!

Follow us for more stories about how we help pets heal!

22/11/2024

Read my full story and find out more about the journey with Pretoria Pet MRI 🐾 🧡💙

Our Case Studies https://www.ppmri.co.za/specialist-pet-imaging-case-studies/