What is veterinary ultrasonography?
At Cleary Lake Veterinary Hospital, ultrasonography provides our veterinary team with a safe, non-invasive way to look more closely at your dog or cat’s internal organs and soft tissues. Ultrasound can be used to evaluate the abdomen, heart, and pregnancies, as well as perform ultrasound-guided cystocentesis of the bladder for urinalysis. When additional expertise is needed, we have a veterinary specialist who comes to our hospital for scheduled appointments.
What to expect at your pet's ultrasound
Ultrasound is painless, and many pets can be scanned while awake and resting quietly. We may clip a small patch of fur so the probe makes good contact with the skin, then apply a gel and move the probe gently over the area being examined. Some pets do better with light sedation, especially if they are anxious or uncomfortable.
For abdominal scans, we may ask you to withhold food beforehand, because food and gas in the stomach and intestines can block the view. We'll give you specific instructions when you book, and your veterinarian will talk with you about the findings.
When might your dog or cat need an ultrasound?
Your veterinarian may recommend an ultrasound to:
- Look into vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss or abnormal lab results
- Evaluate a heart murmur or suspected heart disease
- Confirm a pregnancy and check on developing puppies or kittens
- Collect a clean urine sample directly from the bladder
- Take a closer look at an organ or mass seen on X-rays
When a case calls for additional expertise, a visiting veterinary specialist can see your pet right here at our hospital.
Questions about your pet's ultrasound?
If your veterinarian has recommended an ultrasound, or you'd like to know whether one could help your pet, call us at (952) 435-8387.
Ultrasonography - FAQ
How should I prepare my pet for an ultrasound?
For many ultrasound exams, pets are fasted for several hours beforehand so food and gas don't interfere with the images. Your pet's fur may also need to be clipped over the area being scanned to get a clear picture. Very young or diabetic pets need special feeding instructions, so always follow the directions we give you when you schedule. Source: Penn Vet Ryan Veterinary Hospital
Does ultrasound replace X-rays?
Not usually. Ultrasound is excellent for looking at the internal structure of soft tissues and organs, but sound waves are almost completely reflected by gas and blocked by bone. That means gas in the intestines can hide nearby organs. Because each tool has strengths and limits, your veterinarian may recommend X-rays, ultrasound or both. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
Why would my pet need a heart ultrasound?
A heart ultrasound, called an echocardiogram, lets your veterinarian look at the heart and its major blood vessels. It is excellent for confirming a suspected diagnosis, such as one prompted by a heart murmur. It can show how severe a leaky valve is, measure the size of the heart chambers, assess how well the heart muscle is working and detect tumors or fluid around the heart. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
When can ultrasound confirm my dog's pregnancy?
Pregnancy ultrasound in dogs is best performed between 25 and 35 days after breeding. Scans done before about 21 days can miss a pregnancy, giving a false negative result. Ultrasound also lets your veterinarian check that the puppies are viable. If you know your dog's breeding dates, share them with us so we can schedule at the right time. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
What is ultrasound-guided cystocentesis?
Cystocentesis is a way of collecting urine directly from the bladder with a fine needle, and ultrasound helps guide the needle to the right spot. Because the sample doesn't pass through the lower urinary tract, it isn't contaminated by bacteria along the way. If bacteria are found in a sample collected this way, it points to a true infection. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
