Diagnostic Tails

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails , hosts Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays take a closer look at one of the most common congenital vascular abnormalities seen in small animal practice: portosystemic shunts. They discuss what shunts are, why they occur, and how they impact a pet's growth, metabolism, and neurological function. The conversation walks through the diagnostic process, from suspici...

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails , hosts Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays are joined by relief technician Bryce Morgan to discuss the evolving role of veterinary technicians and the importance of building sustainable, supportive veterinary teams. Drawing from Bryce’s experience working across multiple practices and states, the conversation explores technician utilization, continuing educatio...

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails , hosts Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays introduce the role of endoscopy in veterinary medicine and how it expands diagnostic and treatment options for referring veterinarians. Joined by technician Mia , they share insights from a recent hands-on training course and what this new capability means for patient care. They break down how endoscopy allows for mini...

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails , hosts Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays explore how technology is impacting modern veterinary practice — from cybersecurity and data protection to the growing role of artificial intelligence. They break down the real risks practices face today, including ransomware, data loss, and privacy concerns, while also highlighting how AI is already improving efficien...

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails: Animal Imaging Uncovered , Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays explore one of the most overlooked - but critical - elements of veterinary diagnostics: the patient history. While advanced imaging technologies like MRI, CT, and nuclear scintigraphy provide powerful diagnostic tools, they are only as effective as the context surrounding them. A clear, accurate pat...

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails, hosts Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays break down how advanced imaging fits into everyday veterinary practice — not just specialty or referral medicine. Using real clinical cases, they explain when radiographs fall short, how to choose between CT, MRI, and nuclear scintigraphy, and why advanced diagnostics often lead to faster answers, clearer treatment plan...

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails: Animal Imaging Uncovered , Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays address growing public mistrust toward veterinarians following a high-profile media interview that portrayed veterinary medicine as profit-driven, cartel-controlled, and harmful to pets. Drawing on decades of real-world clinical experience, the doctors unpack the true drivers behind rising veterinar...

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails: Animal Imaging's Uncovered , Dr. Amy Armentrout, Dr. Lon Hays, and veterinary technician Mia Loredo pull back the curtain on what truly makes Animal Imaging different: culture as a clinical strategy. Through real stories, humor, and hard-earned insight, the team explains how a people-first workplace directly supports better diagnostics, stronger clinical decisi...

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails, Dr. Amy Armentrout, Dr. Lon Hays, and veterinary technician Hannah pull back the curtain on how referral systems really work and why effective communication between clinics and specialty teams directly impacts patient care. From scheduling a CT or thyroid scan to managing urgent same-day cases, the Animal Imaging team explains how they act as an extension of ge...

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails , Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays break down the power of CT in small-animal medicine, spotlighting why CT consistently outperforms radiographs - especially for detecting pulmonary nodules, planning oncology cases, and guiding complex procedures. They explore when sedation is enough, when anesthesia is required, and how contrast, breath-holds, and modern fan...

Welcome to another episode of Diagnostic Tails Animal Imaging’s Uncovered Pawdcast! In this episode, we spotlight the essential role of veterinary technicians in advanced animal imaging. Join Dr. Amy Armentrout and star technicians Hannah and Mia as they share real-life stories, discuss the challenges and rewards of their work, and reveal what sets their team apart in the world of veterinary medic...

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails, Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays dive into the realities of tackling challenging imaging cases —from unexpected findings like bullets and migrating microchips, to rare diagnoses and exotic patients like sharks and camels. They pull back the curtain on what happens when imaging doesn’t go as planned, the importance of collaboration with referring veterinarian...

Ever wish you could download 30 years of veterinary wisdom in under an hour? In this special episode, Dr. Amy Armentrout sits down with her co-host, Dr. Lon Hays, to reflect on his 30-year journey—from new grad to clinic owner to seasoned veterinarian at Animal Imaging. Together, they explore how diagnostics, treatments, and practice culture have evolved over the years. Dr. Hays shares candid stor...

In this illuminating episode of Diagnostic Tails , Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hayes sit down with board-certified veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon, Dr. Jennifer Rich. Together, they demystify the complex world of neurology—from simple localization techniques to advanced imaging decisions—making it more approachable for general practitioners. Dr. Rich shares invaluable tips for performin...

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails , Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays sit down with internationally renowned rehab specialist Dr. Michelle Broadhurst. Drawing on her background in human chiropractic and decades of experience in both equine and small animal rehabilitation, Dr. Broadhurst dives into powerful recovery stories and breakthrough treatments—from helping paralyzed pets walk again to u...

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 sh...

In this episode of Diagnostic Tails, hosts Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays are joined by board-certified cardiologist Dr. Christian Weder. They dive deep into the world of veterinary cardiology. The discussion covers everything from the basics of echocardiograms—described as “an ultrasound of the heart in the most simplistic terms”—to the nuances of diagnosing heart disease in dogs and cats. L...

This episode explores groundbreaking treatments for canine osteoarthritis, focusing on Synovetin OA, a radioactive medical device that can provide up to one year of targeted joint pain relief. The episode features two compelling cases: Axel, a working police dog who returned to duty, and Vern, a rescued bulldog who regained mobility. Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hays discuss the benefits and app...

This premiere episode of the "Diagnostic Tails Paw-dcast”, brought to you by Animal Imaging, features a discussion with Dr. Mike Pownall, Dr. Amy Armentrout, and Dr. Lon Hayes. They explore the critical role of advanced imaging technologies like nuclear scintigraphy, MRI, and CT scans in veterinary diagnostics. They dive into three case studies, including the use of I-131 therapy for hyperthyroid...

 Welcome to Diagnostic Tails, Animal Imaging's Uncovered Paw-dcast. Here, we're going to focus on real-life stories of pets and animals where Imaging saved the day, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnostics. Dive into different technologies like nuclear scintigraphy, MRIs, and CT scans for various animals. Each episode offers insights into the world of veterinary imaging, sharing stories...