With Enzo the cat |
What is an ultrasound? An ultrasound is a non-painful test that uses high frequency waves to create images of the inside of your pet's body. Why does my veterinarian want to ultrasound my pet? An ultrasound allows us to better understand your pet's disease so that we can offer the best treatment. How do I schedule an ultrasound for my pet? Appointments must be scheduled through your veterinarian's office. What can I expect on the day of an abdominal ultrasound? Please drop-off your pet at the clinic with an empty stomach (no food for 12 hours, small amount of water is ok) and a full bladder. Your pet will be shaved on his abdomen to better allow contact with the probe. Will my pet be sedated for an abdominal ultrasound? Your pet will receive a mild sedative to help him relax during the scan. This is not a full sedation, and he will be able to stand and walk. Avoid exercise for the rest of the day. In the rare case that your pet will require full sedation, please discuss this with your veterinarian prior to the ultrasound. What is a Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA)? A FNA is a small-needle sample obtained with ultrasound guidance. It may be needed to get a definitive diagnosis when a mass is found in the abdomen. This is safe procedure; however, there is always a small risk of bleeding post-aspirate. Please discuss with your veterinarian if you have any concerns about this procedure. When will I know the results of the abdominal ultrasound? Dr. Pearson will discuss the findings with your veterinarian right away. Your veterinarian will then contact you to share this information with you. With Maddie S, Alexandria VA What is an Echocardiogram? An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. It is a non-painful test that allows us to see how well the heart is functioning. It also allows us to diagnose identify any heart disease, and to offer the most appropriate therapy. What can I expect on the day of an echocardiogram? You can feed your pet normally. He will be shaved on both sides of the chest to allow full contact with the probe and achieve the highest quality images. Will my pet be sedated for an echocardiogram? Your pet will receive a heart-friendly mild sedative to help him relax during the scan. This is not full sedation, and he will be able to stand and walk, but avoid exercise for the rest of the day. When will I know the results of the echocardiogram? The images are sent to a board-certified cardiologist for review. Your veterinarian will call you in 3 business days to discuss the findings and treatment recommendations. |