What is an ultrasound scan?

Our hospital is equipped with ultrasound to help our vets evaluate your pet’s condition (if required).  Ultrasound scanning is a painless procedure that uses high frequency sound waves (inaudible to humans) to produce images of structures within the body. When sound waves are directed into the body, some are absorbed by body tissues and others bounce back. The sound waves that bounce back are measured by the ultrasound machine and are transformed into an image on a screen.  Ultrasound scans are most useful for looking at soft or fluid-filled organs; like the liver, kidney, bladder and heart.

An ultrasound scan is an important tool to help us diagnose diseases in animals. Please note, some patients can have complex issues requiring a specialist ultrasonographer to better interpret these images which may require referral to a specialist clinic.

What happens to my pet when it is booked in for an ultrasound scan?

Most of our patients are admitted into hospital for the day unless it is an emergency. We ask that you bring your pet in unfed on the morning of admission, as they may need to be sedated to allow us to do the best scan possible.

The area being scanned will be shaved, so your pet may look different when they come home.  No pain is felt during an ultrasound exam, however, discomfort from pressure may be experienced. Sedatives may be necessary for those animals that won’t stay still or are uncomfortable. During the scan a water-soluble gel is applied over the clipped area to be examined and a transducer (probe) is placed on the skin.

Once the scan has been done we will give you a call and book an appointment for our veterinarians to discuss the diagnosis and treatment plan best suited for your pet.