Ultrasound
Ultrasounds allow veterinarians to see what’s going on inside your pet’s body. They provide a clear view of organs and tissues to help vets diagnose internal issues.
At Antioch Dog and Cat Hospital, we provide ultrasounds for dogs and cats in-house by our traveling RVT specialist, Diane. All ultrasounds are sent to a board-certified radiologist/internal medicine specialist.
What Is a Pet Ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging technique that can be used on pets. To perform an ultrasound on your pet, our RVT specialist moves a small, hand-held probe gently across your pet’s skin to capture images of the inside of their body.
The probe directs a narrow beam of high-frequency sound waves to the area of interest. These sound waves bounce off of internal structures and reflect back to the probe. They’re then converted to a two-dimensional image displayed on a monitor.
Why Would a Pet Need an Ultrasound?
Ultrasounds produce real-time images of what’s happening inside your pet’s body. They provide detailed views of many of the body’s organs, including the kidneys, stomach, spleen, liver, and gallbladder, making them one of the best diagnostic tests available.
When used with other diagnostic tools, an ultrasound can help vets identify internal problems like blockages, soft tissue damage and tumors. Vets can also use ultrasounds for echocardiograms, as well as to monitor pregnancies and fetal health.
We typically recommend ultrasounds when we need more information to explain abdominal abnormalities observed in lab test results, X-rays, or physical exams.
Is an Ultrasound Safe for My Pet?
An ultrasound is a safe, pain-free procedure for your pet. Unlike X-rays, ultrasounds do not use radiation. Ultrasounds are also typically quick procedures that usually take about 20 to 40 minutes to complete.
Abdominal Ultrasounds for Pets
In addition to general ultrasounds, our facility specializes in abdominal ultrasounds. This focused procedure examines organs within your pet’s abdomen, including the kidneys, stomach, spleen, liver, and gallbladder.
Why Opt for an Abdominal Ultrasound?
Abdominal ultrasounds are particularly valuable for diagnosing conditions related to the abdominal organs. They provide clear views of organs, aiding in the identification of abnormalities, blockages, soft tissue damage, tumors, and other internal issues.
When Is an Abdominal Ultrasound Recommended?
Our veterinary team recommends abdominal ultrasounds when there is a need for more information to explain abdominal abnormalities observed in lab test results, X-rays, or physical exams. This focused approach allows us to pinpoint and address specific concerns within the abdominal region.
Safety and Preparation for Abdominal Ultrasounds: Abdominal ultrasounds are safe, pain-free procedures for your pet, without the use of radiation. To enhance image precision, we recommend withholding food for at least 12 hours before the procedure, with water allowed at all times. Upon arrival, our veterinary staff may shave your pet’s fur in the abdominal area for clearer images. Sedation may be used if necessary, ensuring your pet remains still during the procedure, especially for biopsies or aspirations.
How Do I Prepare My Pet for an Ultrasound?
We advise owners to withhold food from their pets for at least 12 hours before the ultrasound so we can capture more precise images. Water is typically allowed at all times.
Once you arrive for the ultrasound appointment, the veterinary staff will likely shave your pet’s fur in the area where they’ll be placing the probe. Shaving the fur allows for closer contact with the skin, which can help produce clearer images.
We may sedate your pet to ensure they are still for the procedure. We will also sedate your pet if we need to perform a biopsy or aspiration.
Meet our Ultrasonographer, Diane Lowrey, LVT
To schedule a consultation or to learn more about our ultrasound services, call us at 816-453-7272.
