Why Ultrasound?

1) Fast your pet: Do not feed your pet for at least 12 hours prior to the appointment (this includes treats at the doctors office)! Air and food in the stomach can block ultrasound waves and mimic foreign objects. If your pet normally takes morning medication please call for advice before giving anything by mouth on the day of your pet's ultrasound appointment. This is most important if we are looking for foreign material in the stomach or intestines.

2) Give Premedications: Your veterinarian may  have provided premedications to be given the night before and the morning of the ultrasound. It is ok to give your pet their normal medications with a small treat or pill pocket.  

3) Skip the last potty break: A full bladder is important to allow for accurate imaging of the bladder wall and surrounding lymph nodes. While a morning potty break is fine, don’t let your pet go to the bathroom in the 2 hours prior to your scheduled drop off. If possible, keep cats indoors and away from the litter box.

4) Check-In/Drop Off: Complete the pre-procedure check in at one of our participating veterinary hospitals.

5) Relax: Although away from mom and dad, your pets are under the absolute best loving-care of our compassionate staff. We make sure they are safe, comfortable and warm at all times during the examination and recovery.

6) Discharge: Your pet will be discharged to you later in the day. A full radiology report will sent to your veterinarian in 3-4 days.

Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) is a method of acquiring a small tissue sample for microscopic analysis. Ultrasound guidance is a great way to collect these samples easily and accurately. You will decide with your veterinarian if you would like this procedure done at the same time as the imaging study. It is a convenient opportunity since your pet is already prepared and may be lightly sedated. Side effects are very rare but can include bleeding or infection.

Please keep in mind that if sedation was used, your pet may be a little sleepy and unsteady on their feet at the discharge appointment. It is best to put them in a comfortable place for 2-3 hours where they won't be able to wander near anything harmful.  Our sedation medications are short acting and will usually wear off in a few hours. Some sensitive patients may see mild lingering effects for 2-3 days.