Abdominal Ultrasound:
An 8-12 hour fast is required for an abdominal ultrasound (except in emergency patients). Diabetic patients would ideally be fed as normal with morning insulin given and the ultrasound done later in the day, time permitting. Patients should be allowed to urinate up until 4 hours prior to the exam and litter boxes should be removed for cats 4 hours prior to the exam. The patient’s abdomen will need to be clipped over an area starting just cranial to the xiphoid and extending caudally to the pubis.
Echocardiogram:
Echocardiogram: Fasting is not required. The patient’s ventral thorax will need to be clipped on both sides. In the best interest of patients where congenital heart disease is suspected, referral directly to a Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist is recommended. Multiple complicated heart defects can be present in congenital heart disease.
A dark room and an assistant to help clip and hold for approximately 1 hour in your clinic. Abdominal ultrasounds are typically completed in 45-60 minutes.
In most cases, mild sedation improves the quality of the images and helps ensure a faster, complete exam. It is also more comfortable for the patient and assistant. Anxious pets often pant, become agitated and tense their abdomens and this affects image quality. Oral anti-anxiety medication, gabapentin and possibly trazodone, given by mouth 2-3 hours prior to the ultrasound exam (unless contraindicated by the pet’s medical condition) will help facilitate the exam.
In addition or alternatively, butorphanol may be given intravenously 10 minutes prior to the exam in the clinic.
Analgesia is indicated if the patient is painful.
Images and video loops/clips are sent to a board-certified radiologist or cardiologist (Cygnus Veterinary Imaging Group, Coastal Veterinary Cardiology, or Antech and Idexx). For non-urgent abdominal scans, a diagnostic report with the findings and recommendations from the radiologist will be available within 24 to 48 hours after submission. A verbal report will be given at the time of the ultrasound. For echocardiograms, a diagnostic report and treatment recommendation from the cardiologist will be available within 24 to 48 hours after submission during weekdays.
