Diagnostic Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to form an image of a pet’s internal organs.  It can be used to scan within the architecture of many internal organs, including the heart and associated great vessels, eyes, reproductive tract, and abdominal organs.

Since hair will often interfere with imaging, pets may have their hair shaved at the area being evaluated.  They are gently held on their side during scanning.  Ultrasound is painless and does not require anesthesia; rarely a pet may need a light sedative prior to scanning.

We have used ultrasound to aid in the collection of fluid or tissue samples and to aid in the diagnosis of diseases, including heart diseases,  kidney and bladder stones, pregnancy, fluid accumulations (effusions), inflammatory diseases (e.g. hepatitis, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease), and cancer.