Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a valuable, non-invasive imaging procedure that complements x-rays and allows our veterinarians to better visualize internal organs in the chest and abdomen. During an ultrasound, high-frequency sound-waves are directed into the body and bounce off the organs, creating a computer image of the inside of the body. This painless diagnostic technique is normally done without sedation of your pet. Ultrasound is invaluable for making treatment decisions for various types of heart disease. It also allows us to biopsy organs such as the liver and kidney through a tiny "keyhole" incision. Ultrasound works best in conjunction with other diagnostic procedures. For example, if an x-ray detects a lesion, an ultrasound can determine the origin of the lesion and whether it has spread elsewhere in your pet's body. Using the ultrasound image as a guide, surgical biopsies can be obtained without major surgery and your pet can often go home the same day.

Ultrasound examinations are commonly used in conjunction with other diagnostic procedures for the following purposes:

• Monitoring pregnant animals
  
• Uterine/ovarian health in breeding animals
  
• Prostate examinations
• Geriatric health screening
• Neoplasia monitoring (cancer/metastasis checks)
• Pancreatitis (acute or chronic)
• Vomiting (acute or chronic)
• Diarrhea (acute or chronic)

Urinary tract disorders (blood in the urine, increased frequency of urination, or no urination), such as:

• Renal (kidney)
  
• Ureter (tube from the kidney to bladder)
• Bladder (bladder stones, neoplasia)
• Proximal urethra
• Examination of abdominal organs
• Toxicity (i.e., ethylene glycol)
• Liver disease
• Biliary disease
• Abdominal and peripheral lymph nodes
• Thyroid gland
  
• Exotic pet examinations (fish, reptiles, pocket pets)
• Ferrets (adrenal glands and all other abdominal organs)
• Fine needle aspirates to obtain cellular samples of organs without invasive surgery
• Heart function (used to help diagnose/characterize heart disease/failure) in all species