Why Your Pet Might Need an Ultrasound

Last updated 6 months ago

Having an ultrasound performed on your pet is not as out of the ordinary as you might think. While some medical conditions in your pet can be recognized through routine observation and visits to the vet, others require internal monitoring and more in-depth testing to be properly diagnosed. While blood work and internal biopsies are routine and safe in the hands of a veterinary professional, they can be invasive and even painful for your pets. Veterinary ultrasound is a safe, effective, and virtually painless way to diagnose difficult-to-recognize diseases or conditions in your animal. Here are a few examples of the uses of ultrasound and why your pet might need one.

Abdominal Ultrasound

Abdominal ultrasounds provide the vet with a clear look at an animal’s internal organs, including the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, uterus, or kidneys. Between our two facilities, we do about half a dozen of these procedures each week. An abdominal ultrasound comes with the added benefit of allowing your pets Vet to monitor your pet’s organ function in real time. An ultrasound is ideal for identifying inflammation in various abdominal components and making sure abdominal systems are working properly. Abdominal ultrasounds are helpful in identifying conditions such as kidney stones, abdominal bleeding, or tumors.

Cardiac Ultrasound

Cardiac ultrasounds for animals provide the same benefits as they do for human beings. Cardiac ultrasounds can be used to determine a heart’s shape, size, construction, blood flow, and overall function at a relatively low cost and with no pain to the animal. Cardiac ultrasounds are helpful in both diagnosing and monitoring the treatment progress associated with heart disease in pets and can be an instrumental part of maintaining animal wellness despite the presence of a severe heart condition. Ultrasound technology can also be used in identifying other, more elusive conditions related to an animal’s reproductive system or even vision.

If you are interested in getting an ultrasound for your dog or cat, or are in need of any other veterinary service in the Dallas area, call Chastain Veterinary Medical Group at (972) 239-1309 (north Dallas) or (972) 529-5033 (McKinney). In addition to ultrasounds and laser therapy, Chastain Veterinary Medical Group provides routine veterinary services, pet boarding, and grooming as well.