Nuclear Scintigraphy

The University of Florida Veterinary Hospitals utilize an MIE digital nuclear scintigraphy unit.

How It Works

Bone scan image: The dark areas indicate increased radioactive isotope uptake.

An animal is injected with a radioactive isotope which travels to inflamed or damaged tissue within the body. The isotope is imaged using a gamma camera, detecting  the decay of the radionuclide, highlighting trouble-areas. While the most common application is bone scintigraphy to detect changes in bone metabolism that may be related to lameness, nuclear scintigraphy can also be used to detect portosystemic shunts, sub-clinical renal failure, hyperthyroidism, and to evaluate mucociliary clearance.

Return to UF Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging.

University of Florida

IFAS

As part of both the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and UF Health, Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to advancing animal, human and environmental health through teaching, research, extension and patient care.

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University of Florida

Animal Hospitals

Need animal care? Visit the UF Small Animal and Large Animal Hospitals. From dogs, cats, birds and exotics to horses, cattle, llamas, pigs and many other large farm or food animals, our experienced veterinary staff is ready to assist.

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Syndicated Podcast

Animal Airwaves

Animal Airwaves is a daily radio series that features one-minute segments relating to animal health, ranging from insights into animal behavior to veterinary patient care breakthroughs and trends.

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