**Please note that an ultrasound appointment needs to be pre-booked in advance until further notice.
Ultrasound should be administeredcan be done by board-certified or general practice veterinarians trained in ultrasonography.
What is an Ultrasound?
An ultrasound or ultrasonography for pets, is an imaging test employed for diagnostic purposes. In other words, it is an essential tool for veterinarians to obtain specific diagnoses during medical investigations. Ultrasound utilises sound waves to produce images of structures within your pet’s body. Your veterinarian may request an ultrasound test to investigate any suspicions of abnormalities based on the symptoms your pet presents.
Here at Dr Paws Vet Care, you can access abdominal ultrasound services accompanied by an appropriate treatment plan based on the diagnosis obtained.
An ultrasound is favoured as it is non-invasive, painless, and productive in obtaining clarity about the irregularities presented by your pet. Depending on your pet's specific condition, an ultrasound would also help inform if further diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, are warranted.
How do Ultrasounds work on pets?
During an ultrasound, your pet will be required to lie on its back or side. Fur will need to be shaved at the region of investigation. An ultrasound gel will be applied to your pet’s skin which helps to improve the quality of ultrasound images obtained. An ultrasound procedure is straightforward as it just involves gliding a probe across the area which is being investigated. Most pets are non-resistant and cooperative. However, if your pet is in distress due to pain or discomfort, anaesthesia or administration of other sedatives may be necessary.
Your pet may require sedation if they move excessively or exhibit signs of stress or aggression.
Your pet may need sedation if they are especially anxious or aggressive or if certain procedures needs to be done with the use of an ultrasound e.g. a trucut biopsy to obtain samples of abdominal organs. A typical scan should take about an hour, though this will vary depending on the number of areas and the ambiguity of each case. Panting (potentially from stress) and excessive movement will disrupt the process of obtaining clear images from an ultrasound. In such situations, administration of sedatives will be warranted. Rest assured that your veterinarian will inform you if your pet needs to be sedated.
In all cases, the investigation site will need to be shaved as fur will impede sound waves. This, too, will not cause any pain or discomfort. At most, it will only impact your pet aesthetically. Upon completing the scan, the images will be analysed and interpreted. You will then be guided on the next steps, initiating the treatment pathway for the identified diagnosis. If an ultrasound investigation does not result in a definitive diagnosis, you will be advised to pursue more detailed diagnostic tests.
What are the benefits of Ultrasound for pets?
Non-invasive
Quick, safe, and painless
Most pets do not require sedation.
Visualises soft tissues and organs in great detail
Aids in the diagnosis of various conditions such as pregnancy, kidney or bladder stones, abdominal growths etc.
What conditions can an Ultrasound for pets detect?
An ultrasound can be utilised to monitor your pet’s pregnancy and the condition of the foetus.
An ultrasound helps detect an array of conditions, such as:
Pregnancy: identifying a pregnancy and monitoring the condition of animal foetuses.
Abnormal mass: identifying an enlarged abdominal organ, detecting the presence of cysts, tumours, enlarged lymph nodes
Identifying foreign bodies: incidence of pets swallowing foreign objects that obstruct their digestive system.
Follow-up procedures: for abnormalities detected in blood or urine tests. For example, elevated urea in blood will indicate a necessity to obtain visualisation of the kidney.
Tissue collection: an ultrasound would be necessary for sample collection of other diagnostic methods such as tru-cut biopsies and fine needle aspiration.
What results can be expected from an Ultrasound on pets?
An ultrasound often serves as a “mystery solver” when blood tests are inconclusive or when an abnormal abdominal mass is found. Our animal friends are limited in expressing and communicating pain and discomfort. Thus, an ultrasound is a reliable technique to identify the root cause of the issues presented by your fur babies. It will undoubtedly bring relief and clarity to pet owners.
An ultrasound also opens doors to identifying the best treatment to resolve the issues presented. Upon deducing the results of an ultrasound, you will be deliberated on the next steps and ways to help your fur babies achieve the best quality of life. You can obtain diagnostic and treatment services under one roof at Dr Paws Vet Care, centralising and streamlining your fur baby’s health with minimal hassle.
How many Ultrasound sessions are required?
Typically, a single ultrasound session is sufficient to identify the issue. However, the duration required may vary depending on the complexity of the case. Your veterinarian may recommend repeating an ultrasound to monitor the health progress of your pet or to confirm if your pet is responding positively to treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an ultrasound scan for dogs/cats/ small animals?
The price of an abdominal ultrasound depends on whether it is a full abdominal ultrasound or only a specific organ system needs to be checked. Please contact us for specific prices.
What does a pet ultrasound show?
A pet ultrasound fundamentally visualises the internal structure of organs and soft tissues of your pet. As mentioned earlier, it will show if there is any “abnormal” growth (growth that is indicative of health issues) and irregularities on soft tissues such as tears. The findings will differ in each case, but it will provide an insight or “first clue” to what is causing discomfort or pain.
How do I know that my dog/pet needs an ultrasound?
A veterinarian typically decides for a pet to undergo an ultrasound. This decision will be made depending on the symptoms or if a prior diagnostic test warrants further investigation. We advise leaving decisions pertaining to diagnostic methods in the hands of professionals. Rest assured, we have your fur baby’s best interest at heart.
Mon,Tue,Wed,Fri & Sat 10:00am - 8:00pm | Last appointment at 7:30pm Closed for lunch 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Closed on Thursdays, Sundays & Public Holidays (Ample roadside parking available)
