Is there a difference between a veterinary and a human x ray machine?

I was wondering if i could get my cat x rayed at the local clinic (for humans). I know a doctor who works there so he might agree to do it.

The vet literally charges 8 times more to do an x ray...which is absurd!

I rescued a cat with a paw fracture. Took her to the vet and had her casted. That was a month ago. Went back today to remove the cast. He felt her paw and said she healed but when i took her home, she doesnt put any weight on the paw.
Logic tells me the muscles will take time to stengthen back up since they havent been used for a month. But just to be sure i took her back to the vet and he suggested that i get her x rayed just in case. Problem is, he doesnt have an x ray machine. The only vet in the area that does charges an arm and a leg to do an x ray. Dont really have any other place to get her x rayed around her except at the stealinary. So i am wondering....is the x ray machine used at the clinic the same as the one at the vet. Can i get her x rayed using the x ray machine for people?

I think I can help with this answer. Many years ago, in my last life, I was an x-ray tech. 

All x-ray machines are basically the same for animals and people. It is the power or the settings which differ....and there are a lot of things to take into consideration.

The problems are:  

You cannot take a cat into a human clinic. Animals are not allowed for many reasons..cleanliness is one.

Then who is going to take the x-rays? You need a tech to do so. They need to set the limb, animal in a diagnostic position; and set the machine to the correct performance technique; and develop it.

Who will hold the cat?

Who is going to read the x-ray? 

Human x-rays are read by radiologists ( specialists in radiology~~x-ray)

For humans, you need a prescription, a doctor's order for the x-ray...

It really is not as easy as it is to say; "I know a doctor. I can get my cat x-rayed at the human clinic"

sorry, if I sound mean, but if it was at all plausible, then go for it!!! 

I am all for saving money.....but just think about asking..

All these reasons are why it is so expensive for animals to have x-rays. The doctors reading them are specialists in Veterinary  Medicine. In this case Veterinary Radiology (x-ray)
 

Artiemom said:

I think I can help with this answer. Many years ago, in my last life, I was an x-ray tech. 

All x-ray machines are basically the same for animals and people. It is the power or the settings which differ....and there are a lot of things to take into consideration.

The problems are:  
You cannot take a cat into a human clinic. Animals are not allowed for many reasons..cleanliness is one.
Then who is going to take the x-rays? You need a tech to do so. They need to set the limb, animal in a diagnostic position; and set the machine to the correct performance technique; and develop it.
Who will hold the cat?
Who is going to read the x-ray? 

Human x-rays are read by radiologists ( specialists in radiology~~x-ray)

For humans, you need a prescription, a doctor's order for the x-ray...

It really is not as easy as it is to say; "I know a doctor. I can get my cat x-rayed at the human clinic"

sorry, if I sound mean, but if it was at all plausible, then go for it!!! 
I am all for saving money.....but just think about asking..

All these reasons are why it is so expensive for animals to have x-rays. The doctors reading them are specialists in Veterinary  Medicine. In this case Veterinary Radiology (x-ray)

 

Click to expand...

Thank you very much for your input. So, hypotheically, if reading thr x ray was not an issue, taking the x ray by a human radiologist using a human x ray machine...no problem?

I think the bottom line is that it would be highly unlikely, almost impossible to have someone in a clinic x-ray an animal.......

If you doubt this,   then just ask the doctor himself.. He will have all the answers to your questions..

sorry, I have nothing more to add....

As an update to this thread...i did get the x ray done...at a human clinic...and it was actually even simpler than "I know a doctor. I can get my cat x-rayed at the human clinic"...it was "i walked in and asked a doctor who i didnt know if he could do me a fav...and he said sure". Result:


He even gave it to me in a CD.

And here is the icing...it was all FOR FREE!

Thanks for your help and wonderful advice Artiemom. You were extremely helpful and very to the point. You answered my question in a very clear and concise manner.

Thanks K katocy now I can get my dogs x-ray done at my usual x-ray center

EDIT=didn't see the date on this original post was 2015...sorry!! Anyways see below- it's not always so cut and dried- it's probably harder now than before to do this since so many places have "procedure" "stuff" to not allow these types of things.

I see no reason why they can't do the x ray-it's same machine BUT like Artiemom said-different settings for sensitivity. I am glad you found a doctor to help you.

I would think smaller practices where we are already patients and special circumstances would help! Networking is a beautiful thing likewise bartering!

The OP is not in the US (previous post said they live in the UAE). That kind of thing wouldn't be allowed in the US, not a bit. But it's good that they were able to find someone to help! You gotta do what you gotta do.