Ultrasound
Pet ultrasound at Medivet
A pet ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique used to view your pet's internal organs and identify potential issues.
What’s a pet ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive diagnostic procedure that gives your vet a two-dimensional ‘picture’ of your pet’s organs. In the procedure, a hand-held probe uses sound waves to create an image that’s displayed on a monitor.
When do we do a pet ultrasound?
It can be used to investigate issues such as:
- A heart murmur
- Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia)
- Laboured breathing
- Birth problems
- Organ diseases (e.g. liver and kidney problems)
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Foreign objects in the body
- Tendon injuries
- Pregnancy
- Urinary problems
- And many others
What does a pet ultrasound involve?
It’s sometimes not necessary to anaesthetise or sedate your pet for ultrasound examinations as the technique is completely painless. Many pets will simply lie comfortably while the scan is being performed. If your pet is particularly sensitive or anxious, a sedative may be needed.
Your pet’s hair will generally need to be clipped over the area being examined to allow for a clear image. Your vet will then place gel on the area and methodically move the ultrasound probe around to record images of the area of interest.
Ultrasound is perfectly safe, and unlike an x-ray doesn’t expose your pet to any radiation.
If you have any questions about pet ultrasounds, contact your local practice who will be happy to help.
Register with Medivet for ultrasound services
Whether your pet needs routine preventative healthcare or specific veterinary care, our team is committed to providing excellent service. Find your local Medivet to register.
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