Ultrasound/Echocardiology

What is Ultrasonography?

Ultrasonography is a very important tool in veterinary medicine. An ultrasound is a noninvasive procedure using high frequency sound waves to visualize internal structures of the body. It is more sensitive than an x-ray when it comes to soft tissue, thus giving a better idea of what may be going on inside your animal's body. Ultrasonography is a painless way to diagnose many conditions including:

  • Heart disease
  • Liver disease/vascular anomalies
  • Bladder stones/neoplasia/infections
  • Abdominal masses/fluid
  • Thoracic masses/fluid
  • Kidney disease/infections/congenital kidney disease/kidney obstruction
  • Retinal detachment/Eye tumors
  • Soft tissue masses

What to expect during an abdominal ultrasound.

In most cases, you will be with your pet during the entire procedure. Your animal will need to be fasted for at least 8-12 hours before the ultrasound. Small amounts of water are okay. We recommend that you do not allow your pet to urinate prior to your visit. Clients who are referred from local veterinarians are asked to bring any history, blood work, and x-rays from their primary care doctor to give Dr. Whalen. After the exam, we will need to shave the abdomen. Removing the hair helps give the ultrasound probes better contact with the skin, allowing Dr. Whalen to see the images more clearly. Most animals do not need to be tranquilized for the procedure. It is a painless process in which they are just required to lay still. An ultrasound can take any where from 20-60 minutes depending on the case. Once the scan is complete, Dr Whalen will go over his findings and give his recommendation.

What to expect during a cardiac ultrasound.

A cardiac ultrasound allows us to visualize the heart in real time and determine how it is functioning. With a cardiac ultrasound, you will be with your pet during the entire procedure. Clients who are referred from local veterinarians are asked to bring any history, blood work, and x-rays from their primary care doctor to give Dr. Whalen. Dr Whalen will do an exam and then we will shave two small areas on either side of the chest. This gives the ultrasound probe better contact with the skin giving a crisp image. A cardiac ultrasound can take between 30-60 minutes and only requires that your animal lays still. Most animals do not require any tranquilization for this procedure. Once the scan is complete, Dr Whalen will go over his findings and make his recommendation.

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5:00pm

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5:00pm

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1:00pm

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