Ultrasounds

 

An ultrasound is a non-invasive and non-surgical imaging procedure that enables an in-depth view of your pet's organs and greatly assists the diagnostic process.  Many times x-rays, which reveal the size, dimensions, and position of the organ, will be utilized in combination with an ultrasound.  

Ultrasound technology uses sound waves to form images of internal health processes in a non-invasive manner. The techniques is very useful in evaluating the reproductive system. Further, ultrasound allows for the evaluation of internal organs and is a highly useful tool in evaluating heart conditions (referred to as echocardiogram), detecting alterations in abdominal organs, and in assisting in the recognition of cysts, abscesses, and tumors that x-rays sometimes cannot image. Ultrasound is the perfect instrument for assessing soft tissues such as the liver and spleen. With the ability for real-time monitoring, ultrasounds are also utilized for pregnancy diagnosis and development monitoring.

Anesthesia or sedation is not usually necessary to perform an ultrasound on the heart or abdomen, if your pet is cooperative.  With the ability to obtain real time information, outcomes can often be determined immediately;however, in some cases the images may need to be sent to a veterinary radiologist for more in-depth evaluation.

Ahwatukee Animal Care Hospital offers in-house ultrasound and echocardiograms. We offer services ranging from pregnancy exams to organ biopsies. Ultrasound images can also be sent remotely to specialists anywhere in the country for second opinions.