Ultrasound

A non-invasive treatment for pet diagnosis

Welcome to Rose City Veterinary Hospital, where we provide comprehensive medical and surgical services for your beloved pets. One of the advanced diagnostic services we offer is in-house complete abdominal ultrasounds. An abdominal ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that allows us to visualize the internal structures of the abdomen, including the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, spleen, lymph nodes, bladder, and intestines, among other abdominal components. This painless procedure uses sound waves to create real-time images, providing valuable insights into your pet's health.

Abdominal ultrasounds play a crucial role in identifying various abnormalities within the abdomen. These may include masses, nodules, or tumors, affecting organs and surrounding tissues. Additionally, abdominal ultrasounds help us investigate the underlying causes of symptoms such as weight loss, elevated liver enzymes, gastrointestinal issues, and urinary tract diseases. By obtaining detailed images of the abdominal organs, we can accurately diagnose conditions and tailor treatment plans to meet the specific needs of your pet. At our clinic, we are committed to utilizing advanced technology like abdominal ultrasounds to ensure the highest standard of care for your furry companions.

Abdominal ultrasounds can also be used to take samples of fluid or tissues to get a diagnosis of the problem. This can include guiding a needle to biopsy unusual masses or removing fluid for analysis. Veterinarians can either view these samples themselves or send them to a pathologist for testing. With our new digital pathology platform, we can have the results from needle biopsies within a few hours. You no longer need to wait 2 to 3 days for results.

Ultrasounds are typically done with the pet lying on a table. The veterinarian holds a transducer or probe against the belly skin. As the transducer moves over the skin, it sends sound waves to the structures inside, which are then translated to black-and-white real-time images on a screen. Hair does not conduct sound waves well, so the pet’s belly is shaved beforehand. Alcohol and/or ultrasound gel may be used to provide better conduction.

Ultrasounds are usually painless and often performed in a quiet, dark room. Most pets are able to lie comfortably without stress and with minimal restraint during the brief procedure. Most pets need light “twilight” sedation. Almost all pets can safely undergo an ultrasound, regardless of medical concerns.

If your pet is showing signs of illness or injury, call us at (503) 232-3105 to schedule an appointment. An ultrasound may be able to assist in diagnosing the problem.