If your veterinarian recommends an ultrasound for your pet, it's natural to feel concerned. In this post, our Stroudsburg vets are here to provide you with information and help you understand what to expect during a pet ultrasound.
Benefits of Veterinary Ultrasounds
Our beloved pets can experience various illnesses and conditions such as tumors, cysts, or ingesting foreign objects that may cause internal blockages. Ultrasounds are a type of diagnostic imaging technique that uses sound waves to create real-time images of your dog or cat's body.
Veterinary ultrasounds are quick and non-invasive tests that can be used to diagnose and assess a variety of internal organ problems in your pet. They can also help you keep track of your pet's pregnancy.
Reasons Your Pet May Need An Ultrasound
An ultrasound can help our Stroudsburg vets examine the structure of your pet’s organs so we can discover and identify blockages, tumors or other problems.
Ultrasounds are performed in our veterinary diagnostic laboratory at Barton Heights Veterinary Hospital. Our veterinarians use ultrasounds and other diagnostic tools to provide an accurate diagnosis of your pet's medical issues, allowing us to provide the most effective treatment possible.
Types of Ultrasounds
Your vet may perform these two types of ultrasounds:
Emergency Ultrasound
If your pet is in distress, the ultrasound will usually focus on the abdomen and chest to determine whether your dog or cat is suffering from a serious internal hemorrhage (bleeding) or pneumothorax (a condition in which gas or air collects in the space surrounding the lungs). This will help us quickly diagnose the problem. Then we can devise an effective treatment plan.
Echocardiogram
These thorough scans, also known as cardiac ultrasounds, enable us to closely inspect the heart and its encircling structures, including the pericardial sac. They aid in figuring out whether the heart is beating normally or if there are any anomalies. Although most echocardiograms are painless, they require a number of measurements and calculations.
If your pet has recently been diagnosed with a heart murmur or is showing signs of heart disease, they may be referred to a specialist for an echocardiogram.
In cases where an organ shows abnormalities, an ultrasound-guided biopsy can be performed to obtain a tissue sample for further examination under a microscope. This biopsy aids in making a diagnosis in many instances.
Do ultrasounds use radiation?
Ultrasounds for pets do not use radiation like X-rays do. Instead, ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal structures in the body.
Conditions Which May Mean Your Pet Could Benefit From an Ultrasound
Below, we'll list some of the most common reasons why your pet might need an ultrasound.
Heart Problems
If your dog or cat has a heart condition, your veterinarian may refer you to a specialist for a heart ultrasound or echocardiography. These tests can help you assess your pet's heart health and function, as well as look for any abnormalities.
Abnormal Blood or Urine Test Results
If the results of your pet's urine or blood tests show any anomalies or abnormalities, your veterinarian may recommend an ultrasound. This will give the doctor a better understanding of your pet's internal organs, such as the lymph nodes, kidneys, bladder, and others, allowing them to try to figure out what is causing the problem.
Diagnostic Imaging of Soft Tissue Injuries & Illness
Almost all kinds of soft tissue can be examined in detail thanks to ultrasound imaging technology. Some of the most common areas examined using ultrasound include:
- Eyes
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Fetal viability and development
- Thyroid glands
If abnormal tissue is spotted during an ultrasound, the vet may also use the ultrasound to help collect tissue samples from the affected area.
Ultrasound-Assisted Tissue Collection & Biopsies
Samples are typically collected using these methods:
- Tru-Cut biopsies
- Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration
If your vet will be performing an ultrasound-assisted tissue collection, your pet will likely be sedated. We can perform biopsies in a less invasive manner with ultrasounds than with surgeries.
How To Prepare Your Dog or Cat for Their Ultrasound
Different ultrasounds performed on your pet's body may require specific preparations. It's important to consult your vets for the specific guidelines to help prepare your pet for the ultrasound.
Certain ultrasounds, such as abdominal ultrasounds, may necessitate denying your pet food and water for 8 to 12 hours prior to the procedure. This allows for a more detailed examination of the abdominal area. To ensure that your cat or dog's bladder is properly assessed, do not allow them to urinate for 3 to 6 hours before the procedure.
The area being examined will typically be shaved to ensure clear images can be obtained. While most pets remain still and cooperative during the ultrasound, some may require sedation to help them stay calm.
In the event that biopsies are needed after the ultrasound, your pet will require a stronger sedative or anesthesia to help them relax and prevent complications. Your vet will inform you if this is necessary.
What happens after the ultrasound?
After your pet's ultrasound examination, the veterinarian will review the images to make a diagnosis. Depending on the findings, further tests or treatments may be recommended. Your veterinarian will discuss the results with you and develop a treatment plan tailored to your pet's specific needs. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to monitor progress and adjust treatment as necessary.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.