Ultrasound

Ultrasound exams are performed for many reasons. In human medicine, most of us think about ultrasound exams during pregnancy. However, in veterinary medicine, because ultrasound is a safe way to look inside the body, it has become a very useful tool for many other situations.

Your veterinarian may have requested an ultrasound exam of your animal for one of the following reasons:

• Pregnancy

• Abnormal blood work

• Vomiting or diarrhea that has lasted for a long time

• Weight loss with no change in eating habits

• Chronic infections

• Change in urinary habits

• Fluid in chest or abdomen

• Irregular heart sounds or murmurs

• Baseline ultrasound for future examination (geriatric patients)

Ultrasound allows veterinarians to examine internal organs for location, size, shape, texture and blood supply. Although, ultrasound does not always give us a clear picture of how well the specific organ is working, other tests such as bloodwork or additional imaging may be required. Our veterinarian will look at your animal’s medical history and current concern, as well as the entire ultrasound exam to make a diagnosis and recommendations for further tests.