Ultrasonography: A safe, radiation-free Diagnostic tool
Ultrasonography WITH Dr. Martin
Dr. Martin discovered early in her career that she had a passion for ultrasonography. She has completed the following continuing education classes:
- Level 2/3 Abdomen
- Level 3/3 Abdomen and Vasculature
- Cardiac Ultrasound Level 1 Echocardiogram
- Cardiac Ultrasound Level 2 Doppler Imaging
Read on to learn more about how this imaging type works and call our office if you have any questions or you'd like to have a preventive scan performed on your pet!
How Does it Work?
- Sound Waves: A handheld transducer transmits sound waves through the pet's skin. As the sound waves bounce off different tissues, echoes are recorded and instantly converted into dynamic, moving images.
- No Radiation: Unlike X-rays or CT scans, ultrasounds do not use ionizing radiation, making them safe for repeated use and sensitive tissue observation.
- Preparation: Fur is usually shaved in the targeted area, and a conductive acoustic gel is applied to ensure clear sound wave transmission.
What Ultrasonography Can Detect
- Abdominal Organ Health: Detailed assessment of the size, shape, and internal structure of the liver, kidneys, spleen, gallbladder, and pancreas. It can reveal conditions like pancreatitis, cysts, or organ enlargement.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: Identification of intestinal wall thickening, blockages and signs of inflammatory bowel disease or gastrointestinal cancers.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Echocardiograms (heart ultrasounds) measure the size of the heart chambers, evaluate valve movement, and check for fluid buildup around the heart or congenital defects.
- Pregnancy and Fetal Viability: Monitoring fetal development, detecting the number of fetuses, and ensuring they have healthy heartbeats.
- Tumors and Masses: Differentiating between fluid-filled cysts and solid masses, determining the size of the tumor, and assessing how it might be affecting surrounding tissues.
- Fluid Accumulation: Pinpointing the presence and location of abnormal fluid in the chest (pleural space) or abdomen.
- Urinary Tract Pathologies: Detecting bladder stones, kidney stones, and structural abnormalities in the urinary bladder or urethra.
What you can expect at your visit
- If you are referred from a different clinic, make sure to email or bring any records including doctor's notes, blood work or other diagnostic imaging.
- Your pet will need to be fasted for 8-12 hours. Small amounts of water are okay. Ideally you will not allow your pet to eliminate before arriving.
- The procedure can take anywhere from 20-60 minutes, depending on the case. The room in which the ultrasound is performed has dim lighting and is quiet. Your pet will be laying in a foam V-shaped trough and our technicians work to keep your pet as comfortable as possible. In a majority of cases, sedation is not needed.
- Once the procedure is finished, Dr. Martin will go over her findings and recommendations with you.