Ultrasound is perhaps the most versatile imaging technology available at Memorial Animal Hospital. A non-invasive, non-painful method for visualizing your pet’s innermost structures, ultrasound is an exceptional modality for identifying early changes in pet health, monitoring disease progression, measuring treatment success, and determining if surgical intervention is necessary.

Although many pet owners have had a personal experience with this imaging technology, ultrasound for pets still sparks unique questions and concerns. Here are the answers to your most common veterinary ultrasound questions.

Question: How does veterinary ultrasound work?

Answer: Ultrasound technology uses carefully calibrated sound waves to form a moving picture of your pet’s internal soft tissue structures. These soundwaves are emitted from a handpiece (i.e., transducer) that is applied to the pet’s body, which has been covered with a thick layer of conducting gel. The sound waves travel outward until they reach a structure, when some or all the sound waves are reflected or bounced back. Based on the sound waves’ return, the computer creates a two-dimensional, but real-time, dynamic display of your pet’s internal structures.

Q: Will ultrasound be uncomfortable for my pet?

A: Ultrasound is a painless, non-invasive process that most pets tolerate well. However, depending on the nature of your pet’s ultrasound, light injectable sedation and pain medication may be required to ensure complete stillness and crystal-clear imaging, or to collect diagnostic samples (e.g., free fluid, urine, or cells) using a syringe, needle, or biopsy punch.

Short-acting sedation may also be necessary for uncooperative or anxious pets. Most ultrasound imaging requires the pet to lie in a rather vulnerable dorsally recumbent position (i.e., belly-up), and some dogs and cats feel threatened and thrash, bite, or attempt to flee. Sedation reduces the pet’s anxiety, prevents accidental self-harm, ensures accurate imaging, and keeps our veterinary team safe.

Q: How does the veterinarian determine if my pet needs ultrasound versus an X-ray?

A: Like all technology, each method has advantages and limitations. While ultrasound uses soundwaves, digital and traditional X-rays (i.e., radiographs) use a specific measure of focused radiation to create a two-dimensional static image.

When determining the best option for your pet, the veterinarian will consider several factors, including:

  • Area of interest — Ultrasound waves reflect sharply—or not at all—off bone and air respectively, but provide fine detail to fluid-filled structures and soft tissues (e.g., urinary bladder, kidney), where they can be absorbed at different depths. Alternatively, X-rays are an excellent option for bone and joint evaluation and provide nice contrast to the air-filled lung fields. 
  • Functional assessment — If the veterinarian needs to assess blood flow, gastrointestinal motility, or heart muscle contraction, ultrasound displays a real-time dynamic view, while X-rays can provide only a snapshot in time.
  • Testing — Ultrasound guidance allows the veterinarian to obtain fluid or tissue samples (i.e., needle or core biopsy) without the pet needing surgery. 
  • Client cost — X-rays are generally more affordable, but they may not provide a conclusive diagnosis for all cases.

Q: When would ultrasound be recommended for my pet?

A: At Memorial Animal Hospital, ultrasound imaging is used for a wide variety of pet conditions with signs that include:

  • Unexplained vomiting or diarrhea
  • Abnormal blood work results
  • Kidney or liver insufficiency (i.e., failure)
  • Digestive tract disorders 
  • Sudden weight loss or gain
  • Inappetence or voracious appetite
  • Palpable mass found on physical exam
  • Urinary behavior changes (e.g., house-soiling, straining to urinate, bloody or discolored urine)
  • Unexplained weakness
  • Heart murmurs or arrythmias
  • Pregnancy

Q: What can I expect from my pet’s ultrasound?

A: For scheduled ultrasounds, most pets are required to fast (i.e., no food for 8 to 12 hours), which not only prevents an obstructed view, but also reduces the risk for food aspiration if your pet requires sedation or surgery. To ensure a clear image, the area of interest (e.g., abdomen or chest) must be clipped prior to ultrasound—you’ll notice your pet has a rather clinical “haircut.” If diagnostic samples are collected, your pet may have a small bruise at the needle-insertion point or, in the case of a larger biopsy, a few small sutures or skin staples. Our veterinary technicians will address this during your pet’s discharge appointment. 

Most pets who receive an outpatient (i.e., non-urgent) ultrasound can return to normal activity and eat or drink after returning home. Your veterinarian will explain if this is not the case.

Q: When will I receive my pet’s results?

A: If your pet’s ultrasound is conclusive, our team will make an on-the-spot interpretation and relay these results to you. If your pet’s ultrasound images are submitted for a complete veterinary radiologist review, your Memorial Animal Hospital veterinarian will contact you with the finalized report in a few days. Critical pet cases may be submitted as a “Stat” request, which reduces the turnaround time to a few hours. 

If your pet’s diagnostic samples are submitted to an external reference laboratory for pathology or specialized testing, you’ll be notified when the initial or final report is received. 

Understanding the nuances of veterinary imaging should help you feel more at ease when your pet’s veterinarian recommends a veterinary ultrasound. You can now rest assured, knowing that an ultrasound will provide unparalleled insight into your pet’s health—and, no matter the result, your pet will receive expert care at Memorial Animal Hospital. 

For more information about our specialty services, or to find out how to request a referral from your veterinarian, contact Memorial Animal Hospital.