Ultrasound

Abdominal ultrasounds are safe, painless, and provide valuable information for diagnosing and managing various health conditions in pets. Our ultrasounds are available as a scheduled out patient procedure or for the urgent/emergent cases there is same day availability. If your family vet is transferring a case for an ultrasound please have them complete the referral form with the level of urgency. 

Here's how it's performed:

Abdominal ultrasound: An abdominal ultrasound in cats and dogs is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure used to examine the internal organs. Here's how it's performed:

Preparation: The area around the abdomen is shaved to provide clear contact with the ultrasound probe. In some cases, mild sedation may be used to help the pet remain still.

Positioning: The pet is usually placed on its back or side on a padded table.

Application of Gel: A special gel is applied to the skin to eliminate air pockets and ensure good contact between the probe and the skin.

Scanning: The veterinarian moves the ultrasound probe over the abdomen, capturing real-time images of the internal organs, such as the liver, gall bladder, kidneys, adrenal glands, bladder, stomach and intestines, and other abdominal structures.

Analysis: The images are analyzed to identify any abnormalities, such as tumours, cysts, or signs of disease.

Duration: The procedure typically takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the complexity of the case.

Aftercare: Once the ultrasound is complete, the gel is wiped off, and the pet can go home immediately if no sedation was used. If sedation was used, the pet might need a short recovery period.

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When to Expect an Ultrasound: 

Common conditions that require or are best diagnosed with an abdominal ultrasound include:

• Kidney Disease: Ultrasound can detect structural changes in the kidneys, such as cysts, masses, kidney infections (pyelonephritis) or chronic kidney disease.
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can be identified through changes in size and texture.
• Intestinal Issues: Foreign bodies, masses, bowel inflammation, and intussusception can be detected.
• Bladder and Urinary Tract Conditions: Bladder stones, masses, inflammatory changes are often diagnosed with ultrasound.
• Abdominal Masses: Ultrasound helps in identifying and characterizing abdominal masses and tumours.‍
• Reproductive Health: Ultrasound is used to diagnose pregnancies, uterine infections (pyometra), and other reproductive issues.