An ultrasound machine is a piece of diagnostic equipment that utilizes sound waves produced from a special probe. These waves are then sent back to the machine, interpreted and then an image is displayed on the ultrasound unit. The brightness and appearance will depend on the thickness and texture of the organ or area being evaluated.

Your pet will need to be fasted (receive no food within 8-10 hrs prior) as food can interfere with image acquisition. We recommend scheduling an ultrasound in the morning or early afternoon. We will gently shave the hair from your pet’s abdomen as this will provide the best quality images. We may recommend administering a mild sedative medication prior to the procedure to help your pet feel comfortable and reduce any stress they feel. This is important as we want to obtain the clearest images and movement will make this more difficult. We then scan the abdomen and take images and videos of the internal organs for review. The doctor will then discuss their findings with you and help determine the best plan for treatment for your pet. If indicated, we have the ability to transfer images to a specialist for review and interpretation.

We want your pet to feel as comfortable as possible, so we welcome you to be present for an ultrasound with your pet if this will be calming to them. This machine is portable, so it can be moved to the desired location within our hospital. Please inform the hospital staff when scheduling this appointment if you would like to be present with your pet so we can plan accordingly.