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Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a diagnostic tool that allows veterinarians to see what’s going on inside your pet’s body. It provides a clear view of organs and tissues to help vets diagnose internal issues accurately and efficiently.
How Does Pet Ultrasound work?
To perform an ultrasound on your pet, our team moves a small, hand-held probe gently across your pet’s skin to capture images of the inside of their body.
The probe directs a narrow beam of high-frequency sound waves to the area of interest. These sound waves bounce off of internal structures and reflect back to the probe. They’re then converted to a two-dimensional image displayed on a monitor.
An ultrasound is a safe, pain-free procedure for your pet. Unlike X-rays, ultrasounds do not use radiation.
Why Would a Pet Need an Ultrasound?
We typically recommend ultrasounds when we need more information to explain abdominal abnormalities observed in lab test results, X-rays, or physical exams.
When used with other diagnostic tools, an ultrasound can help vets identify internal problems like blockages, internal bleeding, and tumors.
How Do I Prepare My Pet for an Ultrasound?
We advise owners to withhold food from their pets for at least 12 hours before the ultrasound so we can capture more precise images. Water is typically allowed at all times.
Once you arrive for the ultrasound appointment, the veterinary staff will likely shave your pet’s fur in the area where they’ll be placing the probe. Shaving the fur allows for closer contact with the skin, which can help produce clearer images.
We may sedate your pet to ensure a stress-free experience for them. We will also sedate your pet if we need to collect any samples that may be necessary.
Pet Ultrasounds in Columbus, OH
To learn more, make an appointment online or give us a call at 614-444-9696 .