Ultrasounds, or sonographic imaging, is a non-invasive method of getting images of the structures inside your dog or cat’s body. A vet might order an ultrasound for dogs and cats who appear to be in distress because of issues with their internal organs. East Coast Vets LLC provides ultrasounds in an environment designed to leave your pet feeling safe and comfortable.
When Should Pets Receive an Ultrasound?
Ultrasounds are often performed on the abdominal region, though a vet can decide to perform one on any internal structures. If your pet is having symptoms like a loss of appetite, fever, or unexplained weight loss, a vet might order an ultrasound to see if there is a problem with organs like the:
- Spleen
- Liver
- Gall bladder
- Kidneys
- Stomach
- Ovaries
- Uterus
- Adrenal glands
- Prostate
- Lymph nodes
- Pancreas
Ultrasounds are a non-invasive diagnostic tool that causes no pain to dogs and cats. Sometimes a vet may need to perform other procedures to get to the bottom of your pet’s issues. Another benefit of ultrasounds is that they do not emit radiation, which can be an issue with standard x-rays.
What Does an Ultrasound Procedure Involve?
East Coast Vet has specialized equipment for performing ultrasounds on dogs and cats. Your vet will likely recommend that you not feed your dog or cat eight to ten hours before the ultrasound to keep anything from interfering with the machine’s rendering of images.
Most pets have no need for anesthesia before having an ultrasound. However, we can provide sedation if your pet is anxious about lying still. Our staff will not proceed with any procedure until your pet is ready.
First, we set your pet up on a padded or cushioned surface in a way that exposes the area on which the ultrasound procedure will be performed. Next, we shave the site and place a special gel on a probe attached to the ultrasound machine.
The vet places the probe on your pet’s skin and moves it around the surface. Images get transmitted back to the machine, allowing the vet to see what’s happening with your pet’s internal organs. Results may be provided in real-time, though sometimes your vet may decide to send the images out for a second opinion.
Priority Pet Care
Bring your pet to East Coast Vets if they need preventative care or medical services. Schedule an appointment with us today by calling 410-463-6451.
