Information For Clients

What Is Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive type of imaging that helps in the diagnosis of disease processes. Ultrasound uses sound waves that transmit into the body that create images of the inside structures (organs and tissues) of the patient.

  • An abdominal ultrasound focuses on the organs in the abdomen (the liver, spleen, kidneys, urinary bladder, gastrointestinal tract, etc).
  • An echocardiogram focuses on the internal structure of the heart, including chambers, walls and valves. It also looks at blood flow within the heart using Doppler. This helps assess the function of the heart.

 

Ultrasound is complementary to other diagnostic tests, including bloodwork, urinalysis and x-rays.

All imaging is performed by an experienced veterinarian that has completed additional training in small animal ultrasound. Depending on the type of ultrasound, images may be sent and interpreted by a Board-Certified Veterinary Radiologist or Cardiologist. A detailed report will be sent to your clinic within 3-5 days.

Veterinarian ultrasounding abdomen of bulldog.

Why Has My Veterinarian Recommended Abdominal Ultrasonography?

Patients that would benefit from abdominal ultrasound include those with:

  • Weight loss and inappetence with normal blood work and radiographs
  • Chronic vomiting to assess for signs of pancreatitis, inflammatory disease or cancer
  • Elevated liver values to assess for inflammatory disease, Cushing’s disease, gallbladder disease or cancer
  • Hematuria (blood in the urine) to assess urinary bladder for bladder stones, prostatic disease, cystitis or cancer
  • Acute vomiting to assess for foreign material or intestinal obstruction
  • Assess for fluid or masses if radiographs show decreased detail within the abdomen

Why Has My Veterinarian Recommended An Echocardiogram?

Patients that would benefit from an echocardiogram include those with:

  • A heart murmur or an arrhythmia detected on physical examination
  • An enlarged heart found on chest X-rays
  • Clinical signs of weakness or collapse
  • Clinical signs of coughing or laboured breathing
  • Your pet has a breed predisposition for heart disease
  • Monitoring known or previously diagnosed heart disease

How Do I Prepare My Pet?

For Abdominal Ultrasound:

Your pet should have an empty stomach and a full bladder unless your Veterinarian advises otherwise.

Please fast your pet for 12 hours (water is fine but no food) and allow your pet to urinate up to 2-4 hours prior to the exam. For cats, please remove the litter box 2-4 hours prior to the exam.

Your pet’s abdomen will be shaved to allow contact with the probe. 

For Echocardiograms:

No fasting is typically required. A small area on both sides of your pet’s chest will be shaved to allow contact with the ultrasound probe.

During the Appointment

The area to be examined will be shaved for clear imaging. Light sedation is often used to reduce anxiety and to make your pet as comfortable as possible. This helps improve the quality of the images and helps ensure a faster and more complete exam. 

Shaving a dog's fur on its abdomen in preparation for an ultrasound.