Ultrasound

WHAT EXACTLY IS DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND & HOW DOES IT WORK?

Because it can be used in the most delicate conditions without side effects, ultrasound has become one of the most popular diagnostic methods among both pet owners and veterinarians. Diagnostic ultrasound allows veterinarians to diagnose without invading the body with dyes, radiation or exploratory surgery. Ultrasound imaging is based on the same principles involved in the sonar used by bats. During an exam, a veterinarian moves a transducer over the part of the body to be imaged. The transducer functions as both a loudspeaker (to create the sounds) and a microphone (to record them). High-frequency sound waves reflect off internal structures (soft tissue, organs, and blood flow), producing echoes that are processed into an image displayed on the ultrasound system monitor. A qualified clinician will interpret the diagnostic information within the images to help build a diagnosis and suggest a next course of action.

WHAT ARE SOME TYPICAL APPLICATIONS FOR AN ULTRASOUND EXAM?

RADIOLOGY: Identification of pathology in abdominal organs, evaluation of blood flow throughout the vascular system.
CARDIOLOGY: Evaluation of heart motion, including the chambers, vessels, walls and valves, assessment of blood flow through the chambers of the heart.
REPRODUCTION: Imaging of the uterus and fetal counts, evaluation of ovarian and testicular disease.

ARE THERE RISKS?
There are no known harmful effects for standard diagnostic ultrasound.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE MY PET FOR THE PROCEDURE?
Preparation depends on the type of examination your pet will have. For some scans, your vet may instruct you not to let your pet eat or drink for as many as 12 hours before your appointment. For others, you may be asked to let your pet drink water prior to your exam and avoid urinating, so that your pet’s bladder is full when the scan begins.

HOW IS THE PROCEDURE PERFORMED?
Ultrasound imaging is usually painless and fast. Depending on the type of exam, your pet will need to be lightly sedated and have the hair shaved from the area to be scanned. The veterinarian will apply gel on your pet’s skin and press the transducer firmly against the body, moving it until the desired images are captured. The veterinarian sees these images on the monitor immediately. The examination usually takes less than 30 minutes.

WHO INTERPRETS THE RESULTS AND HOW DO I GET THEM?
Ask your veterinarian about how this will be handled in your case. Sometimes a specialist will analyze the images and send a report with their interpretation to the patient’s personal veterinarian. Other times, your veterinarian will be able to make a diagnosis shortly after the examination.