Ultrasound

Ultrasounds allow veterinarians to see what’s going on inside your pet’s body. They’re a powerful diagnostic tool that creates a real-time internal image of an animal’s body, giving us important information about the circulatory, skeletal and gastrointestinal systems.

When used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools like X-rays, ultrasounds can help identify disease, blockages, skeletal fractures, soft tissue damage and other internal injuries.

At Anza Animal Clinic, we’re proud to offer ultrasound services to help diagnose and monitor your pet’s health. Our ultrasound doctor is available on Monday and Tuesday. To ensure we’re fully prepared for your visit, we kindly ask that you schedule your ultrasound consultation a few days in advance.

What Is a Pet Ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging technique that can be used on pets. To perform an ultrasound on your pet, the vet moves a small, hand-held probe gently across your pet’s skin to capture images of the inside of their body.

The probe directs a narrow beam of high-frequency sound waves to the area of interest. These sound waves bounce off internal structures and reflect back to the probe. They’re then converted to a two-dimensional image displayed on a monitor.

Why Would a Pet Need an Ultrasound?

Ultrasounds produce real-time images of what’s happening inside your pet’s body. They provide detailed views of many of the body’s organs, including the kidneys, stomach, spleen, liver, and gallbladder, making them one of the best diagnostic tests available.

When used with other diagnostic tools, an ultrasound can help vets identify internal problems like blockages, soft tissue damage, and tumors. Vets can also use ultrasounds to monitor pregnancies and fetal health.

We typically recommend ultrasounds when we need more information to explain abdominal abnormalities observed in lab test results, X-rays or physical exams.

Is an Ultrasound Safe for My Pet?

An ultrasound is a safe, pain-free procedure for your pet. Unlike X-rays, ultrasounds do not use radiation. Ultrasounds are also typically quick procedures that usually take about 20 to 40 minutes to complete.

How Do I Prepare My Pet for an Ultrasound?

We advise owners to withhold food from their pets for at least 12 hours before the ultrasound so we can capture more precise images. Water is typically allowed at all times.

Once you arrive for the ultrasound appointment, the veterinary staff will likely shave your pet’s fur in the area where they’ll be placing the probe. Shaving the fur allows for closer contact with the skin, which can help produce clearer images.

Contact Us Today

To schedule an ultrasound or to learn more about our ultrasound services, call us at (805) 495-1059.