Ultrasound

Ultrasonography
Ultrasound is a procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to look at tissues and organs inside the body. The sound waves make echoes that form pictures of the tissues and organs on a computer screen. Ultrasonography is used to help diagnose diseases, such as cancer. Diagnostic tests such as guided biopsies and needle-aspirates can be performed with the aid of these safe sound waves. Ultrasound is a rewarding technique to evaluate the liver, spleen, adrenal glands, pancreas, kidneys, prostate, bladder, and uterus. Endoscopy may be recommended in addition or instead of ultrasound for diseases of the stomach or intestines. The ultrasound examination is virtually risk-free in most cases and is commonly completed without anesthesia or sedation.

Patients are fasted for 12 hours prior to the ultrasound to ensure a proper view of each organ system. Depending on the type of ultrasound, your pet’s ultrasound may be completed while you wait. However, your pet may be admitted to our hospital for a few hours. If a biopsy is needed, often completed with ultrasound-guided instruments, and brief sedation and/or anesthesia may be required.

The ultrasound examination itself is virtually risk-free in most cases. It can usually be done without anesthesia or sedation and requires about twenty to thirty minutes to complete. A review of your pet’s medical records, tests, and a physical examination will precede the ultrasound. Patients are fasted at least 12 hours prior to the ultrasound to ensure a proper view of each organ system. Depending on the type of ultrasound, your pet’s ultrasound may be completed while you wait, or your pet may be admitted to our hospital for a few hours. If a biopsy is needed, sedation and/or anesthesia (brief) may be required.  Biopsies can be completed with ultrasound-guided instruments. The tissues are sent by overnight courier to board-certified pathologists. The results are usually received in three to five business days.