Ultrasound
At Companion Animal Health & Rehabilitation Center, we provide our patients with effective treatment after making accurate diagnoses. Whether a pet is ill, injured, experiencing pain, or has ingested a foreign object, one of the best diagnostic tools available is ultrasound. Non-invasive and pain-free, ultrasound allows Dr. Knox to observe and evaluate the internal health of our patients.
What Is an Ultrasound?
An ultrasound uses sound waves to produce a video-like image of a patient’s internal structures. This image is called a sonogram. With a sonogram, our veterinarian can view your pet’s body functioning in real-time to evaluate health.
How Is an Ultrasound Different from an X-Ray?
In medicine, ultrasounds and x-rays are both components of the radiology department. X-rays, however, use x-ray radiation to produce images called radiographs that are similar to still pictures. Ultrasounds, on the other hand, use sound waves and record moving images.
How Do Veterinarians Use Ultrasounds?
Ultrasound is used when exploratory surgery might otherwise be needed to diagnose or evaluate a health problem or injury. Veterinarians use ultrasound to assess the form and function of your pet’s internal structures, to detect irregularities, to evaluate tumors and growths, or to locate ingested foreign objects.
We use ultrasound to detect and diagnose a myriad of health concerns including injuries, orthopedic issues, birth defects, cardiovascular problems, respiratory concerns, circulatory problems, tumors, and more. In addition, ultrasound can also be used in conjunction with orthopedic surgery and canine rehabilitation to evaluate the form and function of a pet’s joints while in motion.
What to Expect During an Ultrasound Appointment
Ultrasounds are painless and only produce a slight warming sensation. Many pets actually become very relaxed during their appointments, so most do not require any sedation.
First, the examination area of your pet’s body will be shaved and a special jelly will be applied to the skin. This allows the ultrasound wand to make unobstructed contact with your pet’s skin to produce a clear image. We will then evaluate the ultrasound and discuss our findings with you.
Depending on the reason for the ultrasound and the resulting diagnosis, Dr. Knox will then discuss recommended treatment plans with you.
Advanced, Non-Invasive Veterinary Diagnostics for Pets in Escondido
At Companion Animal Health & Rehabilitation, we use ultrasound in conjunction with our in-house diagnostic lab to achieve fast and accurate diagnoses of our patients’ health. This allows us to provide safe and effective treatment right away. To learn more about ultrasound and other diagnostic tests available to our Escondido patients, we welcome you to contact us today.
