Pet Ultrasound Services at Midway Road Animal Clinic
Do you suspect your dog or cat might be pregnant, or do you have reason to believe they may have a cyst or tumor stemming from a serious medical condition? At Midway Road Animal Clinic, our veterinarians will typically suggest scheduling a pet ultrasound.
This non-invasive diagnostic imaging technique enables us to evaluate your pet's internal organs. Whether you want to arrange an abdominal scan and have us perform a pregnancy check or want us to conduct an organ assessment, our experienced veterinary radiology team is up for the challenge.
Learn more about the pet ultrasound services available at Midway Road Animal Clinic.
What Is a Pet Ultrasound?
Veterinarians performed the first pet ultrasounds more than 50 years ago, and they continue to be extremely useful in the veterinary field today. They use high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of the internal organs and tissues of cats and dogs, allowing veterinarians to diagnose medical issues and monitor them over time without surgical procedures.
Here is how they work:
- A veterinarian utilizes a handheld transducer that sends sound waves through a pet's body.
- The sound waves detect and bounce off their internal organs and tissues, as well as any unusual fluids in their body.
- The reflected sound waves, often called echoes, return to their source and are captured by the transducer.
- The transducer converts the echoes into images and shows them on a monitor.
- A veterinarian analyzes the images and provides a medical diagnosis or an update on an animal's health.
While X-rays work great for bones, veterinary ultrasounds offer detailed soft tissue imaging. This makes them an excellent alternative for veterinarians treating more complex health concerns.
Why Might Your Pet Need an Ultrasound?
Veterinarians conducted the earliest pet ultrasounds to check whether dogs and cats were pregnant. They are still used for reproductive health monitoring, as they prove highly effective at confirming and monitoring pregnancies.
However, this isn't the only reason a Midway Road Animal Clinic veterinarian might recommend an ultrasound. Here are several other instances in which your pet may need one:
Assessing key organs
Helps assess the liver, kidneys, spleen, and bladder
Performing heart evaluations
Detects certain heart conditions through echocardiograms
Evaluating gastrointestinal issues
Identifies inflammation, blockages, or tumors
Pet ultrasounds also provide fluid detection and biopsy guidance. They help veterinarians collect fluid samples for further analysis.
Midway Road Animal Clinic will help you determine if an ultrasound is the right veterinary service for your cat or dog after evaluating their current condition and discussing their symptoms.
What To Expect During a Pet Ultrasound
Are you planning to arrange a pet ultrasound for your cat or dog for the first time? You might wonder what to expect and feel slightly anxious about the process.
Thankfully, you won't have anything to worry about, especially when you schedule a cat or dog ultrasound through a reputable veterinary practice like Midway Road Animal Clinic. Here is what you should know:
- We provide pre-procedure instructions and let you know if your cat or dog must fast to allow for more precise imaging.
- We put your pet through a non-invasive and painless procedure that doesn't usually require sedation and only lasts for 20 to 40 minutes.
- We quickly review the diagnostic imaging results from a screen and tell you what we learned almost immediately.
To further ease your mind, we will also address any pressing questions or concerns you have about the process.
Schedule Your Pets Ultra-Sound Today
Benefits of Ultrasound Services for Pet Diagnoses
Scheduling a pet ultrasound for your cat or dog will deliver many benefits. Unlike X-rays, this diagnostic testing option provides a completely safe, radiation-free experience.
These are some of the other benefits of using these services:
- Allows veterinarians to see organ function in real-time
- Helps diagnose tumors, infections, and abnormalities sooner
- Aids in surgical planning, medication decisions, and biopsies
Additionally, this makes it a cost-effective option compared to more invasive procedures.
Dog Ultrasound vs. Cat Ultrasound: Are There Differences?
Dog and cat ultrasounds are both equally safe and effective for pets. They also work similarly, though they aren't always used to detect the same medical conditions.
Dog ultrasounds commonly detect
Tumors
Pregnancy
Digestive issues
Cat ultrasounds, meanwhile, help diagnose
Kidney diseases
Bladder stones
Cardiac conditions
The veterinarians at Midway Road Animal Clinic are fully trained and qualified to perform these non-invasive procedures on dogs and cats. Depending on their specific medical condition, they will also help you decide if having one done is the right option.
Schedule Your Pets Ultra-Sound Today
Schedule a Veterinary Ultrasound at Midway Road Animal Clinic
A veterinary ultrasound will provide critical insights into your pet's condition if they ever exhibit concerning signs, such as vomiting, weight loss, abnormal urination, or appetite changes. Our experienced veterinarians use state-of-the-art imaging technology to deliver accurate diagnoses to cat and dog owners.
Book an appointment by calling Midway Road Animal Clinic at (972) 233-5170 today to schedule expert pet health screenings. Take advantage of the personalized care we provide to our valued patients!
Frequently Asked Questions
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