Ultrasound
When a pet is sick or injured, a veterinarian will sometimes need to view a pet’s internal organs and other structures to determine an accurate diagnosis. At Adobe Veterinary Clinic, we’re proud to provide our patients with diagnostic services using our state-of-the-art in-house ultrasound equipment. With an ultrasound, we can often determine an accurate diagnosis of a pet without the need for invasive, exploratory surgery.
What Is an Ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a diagnostic tool that uses high-pitched (so high-pitched that neither humans, nor animals can hear them) sound waves to create an image of your pet’s internal structures (organs, other soft tissues, and bones). Unlike x-rays, which also produce internal images, ultrasound allows our veterinarian to view your pet’s body functioning in real-time. If an x-ray’s like a picture, then ultrasound can be compared to a movie.
How We Use Ultrasound
A variety of ailments express themselves with very similar symptoms in pets, which can make many illnesses and injuries difficult to diagnose. With ultrasound, we can see inside your pet to find out exactly what’s wrong. We might recommend an ultrasound in the event of:
- Abnormal blood tests
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent diarrhea and/or vomiting
- Unusual urinary habits
- Chronic infections
- Fluid in the abdomen or chest
Using ultrasound, we can diagnose circulatory problems, musculoskeletal issues, heart disease, gastrointestinal concerns, and cysts, lumps, or other potentially cancerous growths.
What to Expect During an Ultrasound Appointment
An ultrasound is pain-free and non-invasive, so most pets do not require sedation for their ultrasound appointments. Depending on the location of the ultrasound, we might shave a small portion of your pet’s fur in order to ensure a clear image for accurate diagnosis. A small amount of gel will be applied to your pet, and we’ll move the ultrasound wand over your pet’s skin. This produces the sonogram that we’ll use for diagnostics.
Expert Diagnostics and Wellness Care at Our Tucson Veterinary Center
At Adobe Veterinary Center in Tucson, we use ultrasound to help diagnose illness, evaluate injury, and sometimes as a part of a pet’s ongoing wellness plan. If your pet displays symptoms of illness or injury or is predisposed to chronic disease, our veterinary might recommend using ultrasound as a part of your pet’s care. For more information about ultrasound, we welcome you to contact our office today.
