What goes on inside your animal companion's body? Has your veterinarian recommended an ultrasound to diagnose a medical condition? Pet parents should know what to expect during the procedure as it’s important to understand how an ultrasound can help diagnose various medical conditions in animals. As a pet parent, you always want to protect your animal friend's health and well-being. Unfortunately, pets can experience health issues or injuries that need further examination. An ultrasound is one diagnostic tool veterinarians use to diagnose and track medical conditions.

What Is a Pet Ultrasound?

A pet ultrasound is a noninvasive medical imaging procedure. It generates images of your pet's interior organs, tissues, and blood flow using high-frequency sound waves. Pet ultrasounds can help veterinarians diagnose and monitor various conditions. including tumors, cysts, and organ disease.

What to Expect During a Pet Ultrasound

Your vet will make your furry friend lie on a table during the ultrasound. The veterinary team will then apply a special gel to the examination area. Using a transducer, the ultrasound expert then directs high-frequency sound waves into your pet's body.
The sound waves bounce off the internal organs and tissues and produce an image on a computer screen. Depending on the examined area, the process is painless and lasts 30 minutes to an hour.

When Is a Pet Ultrasound Necessary?

An ultrasound is necessary when veterinarians suspect medical conditions they cannot diagnose through physical examination alone. The following are a few of the most typical reasons for recommending an ultrasound:

·      Abdominal problems: An abdominal ultrasound can help identify various conditions. These include liver disease, kidney disease, and malignancies.
·      Pregnancy: An ultrasound can confirm a pet's pregnancy. It can also help the vet track the health and development of the fetuses.
·      Cardiovascular conditions: An echocardiography can identify heart disease and irregularities.
·      Cancer: An ultrasound can help diagnose and track cancer progression in pets.
·      Respiratory issues: A chest ultrasound can help diagnose respiratory problems. These include pneumonia and lung disease.
It can identify urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and other urinary problems.
 

Benefits

Being noninvasive, an ultrasound does not need anesthetic. This is one of its key advantages. It is a safe and reliable method for identifying and examining pets' medical concerns. Also, it gives veterinarians access to more precise images than a conventional X-ray. This can aid in a more accurate diagnosis.

How to Prepare Your Pet

Before your pet's ultrasound, following any preparation instructions from your veterinarian is best. Your furry pal may need to fast before the procedure. They may also have their bladder emptied before an abdominal ultrasound. Does your pet take any medications or have any allergies? If so, you should inform your veterinarian.

Conclusion

Pet ultrasounds are a valuable diagnostic tool for veterinarians. They can help diagnose and track various medical conditions in your furry friends. Did your pet's veterinarian recommend an ultrasound? If so, you may rest easy knowing it is a painless, safe procedure. Furthermore, it can reveal important details about your animal companion's health.

For more on pet ultrasounds, visit The Pets Place Animal Hospital at our Riverside, California location. Call (951) 684-2181to schedule an appointment today!