If your veterinarian recommends an ultrasound for your pet, it's natural to feel concerned. In this post, our Central Illinois vets are here to provide you with information and help you understand what to expect during a pet ultrasound.
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, non-invasive, and can be utilized to diagnose and assess a range of internal organ issues in your pet. They are also helpful in monitoring your pet's pregnancy.
Reasons Your Pet May Need An Ultrasound
An ultrasound can help our Central Illinois vets examine the structure of your pet’s organs so we can discover and identify blockages, tumors or other problems.
At Pekin Veterinary Clinic, ultrasounds are done in our in-house veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Our team of veterinarians use ultrasounds and other diagnostic tools to provide an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s medical issues, so we can provide your pet with the most effective treatment possible.
Types of Ultrasounds
Your vet may perform these two types of ultrasounds:
Emergency Ultrasound
If your pet is experiencing an emergency, the ultrasound will usually focus on the abdomen and chest to quickly learn whether your dog or cat has a serious internal hemorrhage (bleeding) or pneumothorax (a condition in which gas or air collects in the space surrounding the lungs). This can assist us in diagnosing the issue quickly. We can then plan effective treatment.
Echocardiogram
Also known as cardiac ultrasounds, these detailed scans allow us to closely examine the heart and its surrounding structures, including the pericardial sac. They help determine if the heart is functioning properly or if there are any abnormalities. While echocardiograms are typically painless, they involve various 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.
Conditions Which May Mean Your Pet Could Benefit From an Ultrasound
Heart Problems
If your dog or cat has been diagnosed with a heart condition, your vet may refer you to a specialist for a heart ultrasound or echocardiogram to help evaluate the condition and function of your pet's heart and to search for any abnormalities.
Abnormal Blood or Urine Test Results
If your veterinarian discovers any anomalies or abnormalities in your pet's urine tests or blood samples, they may recommend that your companion get an ultrasound in order to gain a better picture of their internal organs like their lymph nodes, kidneys, bladder and more to try and identify what is causing the issue.
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.
For certain ultrasounds, such as abdominal ultrasounds, you may need to withhold food and water from your pet for 8 to 12 hours prior to the procedure. This allows for better examination of the abdominal area. In the case of bladder ultrasounds, it is ideal not to allow your cat or dog to urinate for 3 to 6 hours before the procedure so that the bladder can be adequately assessed.
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.
Instant Ultrasound Results For a Fast Diagnosis
Since your vets can perform an ultrasound in real-time, they will get the results immediately. In some instances, images taken through ultrasound will have to be sent to a veterinary radiologist after they have been taken for examination. In cases like that, you may need to wait a few days before the final result is decided.
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.