In this episode of Diagnostic Tails, Dr. Lon Hays sits down with Dr. Mikaela Maldonado, a veterinary fellow at Animal Imaging with a passion for equine medicine and diagnostic imaging. Together, they explore five fascinating cases where imaging was critical in solving complex medical mysteries—from urinary incontinence in a French Bulldog to an esophageal disorder in a Dachshund. Dr. Maldonado shares the importance of each imaging modality, how contrast and fluoroscopy can change outcomes, and why sometimes the answers lie in what we don’t expect to find.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Intro to the podcast and guest, Dr. Mikaela Maldonado

[01:00] Dr. Maldonado’s background and fellowship role

[02:45] Case 1: Meli the French Bulldog – CT contrast reveals ectopic ureter

[06:00] Importance of contrast in urinary diagnostics

[07:00] Case 2: Bear the Rottweiler – Chronic lameness uncovers lung disease

[10:00] Reflections on diagnostic tiers and uncovering the unexpected

[11:00] Case 3: Finn the Labrador – MRI reveals spinal lesions and suspected cancer

[15:30] Role of MRI, CSF tap, and fluoroscopy in spinal diagnostics

[18:00] Case 4: Chopper the Dachshund – Fluoroscopy uncovers rare esophageal dysfunction

[23:00] Phases of swallowing and real-time imaging insights

[26:00] Big-picture takeaways on imaging, finances, and client communication

[28:00] Tail End Tip: MRI safety and referral best practices

Notable Quotes:

• “If you don’t look, you’re not going to see.”
• “Different modalities shine in different ways—and sometimes, the best answer comes from using more than one.”

Imaging Modalities Discussed:

• CT with contrast: Key for mapping urinary tract abnormalities (Meli)
• MRI: Essential in assessing spinal cord involvement (Finn)
• Fluoroscopy/Esophagram: Captures dynamic swallowing issues in real-time (Chopper)
• Radiographs & CSF Taps: Complement imaging findings for deeper diagnostic clarity

• Educate clients on how one imaging result informs the next step.
• Think in layers: physical exam → radiographs → advanced imaging → fluid analysis.
• Don't underestimate the power of imaging to shift or affirm a diagnosis.

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