
What Is Ultrasound for Pets?
Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive imaging technique that allows us to examine your pet’s internal structures in detail, without requiring surgery. Unlike X-rays, which capture still images of bones and dense tissues, ultrasounds create real-time video footage of soft tissues and organs. Ultrasound is ideal for examining organs, blood vessels, and fluid buildup, which X-rays cannot detect as effectively. This makes it an invaluable tool for diagnosing and monitoring a wide range of health conditions.
How Does Ultrasound Work?
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of your pet’s internal anatomy. These sound waves bounce off soft tissues and fluids, generating echoes that are transformed into visuals on a screen. Because it’s gentle and free of radiation, ultrasound is completely painless and safe for your pet.
Pet Echocardiograms
An echocardiogram is a specialized form of ultrasound used to evaluate your pet’s heart. This advanced procedure provides detailed, real-time visuals of the heart’s structure and function, including the chambers, valves, and surrounding blood vessels.
We often recommend echocardiograms for pets with:
- Heart murmurs
- Signs of heart disease
- Symptoms like coughing, difficulty breathing, or fainting
By examining the heart in action, we can gain valuable insights into its performance and detect conditions like congenital defects, valve issues, or heart muscle disease. This information helps us develop precise treatment and management plans to support your pet’s cardiac health.