1800 232 423
10 Heidke St, Bundaberg West, QLD
Have an Emergency? Call Us 1800 232 423

Ultrasounds & Your Pet

An ultrasound examination is a useful and non-invasive diagnostic tool commonly used by vets in emergency situations.

At Bundaberg Emergency Animal Hospital, we commonly use ultrasounds to take a closer look at health issues that may be affecting your pet.

Call Us Now 1800 232 423

Ultrasounds & Your Pet

An ultrasound examination is a useful and non-invasive diagnostic tool commonly used by vets in emergency situations.

At Bundaberg Emergency Animal Hospital, we commonly use ultrasounds to take a closer look at health issues that may be affecting your pet.

Call Us Now 1800 232 423

Ultrasounds & Your Pet

An ultrasound examination is a useful and non-invasive diagnostic tool commonly used by vets in emergency situations.

At Bundaberg Emergency Animal Hospital, we commonly use ultrasounds to take a closer look at health issues that may be affecting your pet.

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a diagnostic examination where high frequency sound waves create an image of the structures in the body.

Sound waves are emitted by a transducer or probe, and when the transducer is placed against your pet’s body, the waves reflect as echoes of the body’s structure back to the transducer.

The ultrasound transducer is moved across the surface of the skin around the site of interest on the animal’s body and the echoes are then translated into a visual image revealing the structure of the area of the body that has been scanned. They can show the structure, size, and condition of organs and soft tissue in the body.

During an ultrasound, the images of the body are shown on a monitor, where they can be viewed by the veterinarian. These images are able to be recorded in a video format or as pictures.

As the procedure is non-invasive, many animals are not too phased by the ultrasound process. The sound waves that are emitted during the procedure do not cause any harm or pain for the animal.

Why your pet may require an
ultrasound

An ultrasound is a fast way to get a gauge of the health of your
pet and is used for a variety of reasons, including the following:

  • If your pet has been involved in an emergency or accident

    An ultrasound is commonly used in an emergency situation with your pet as it’s a fast way to gain valuable information about the body.

    Not only can it show whether there is damage to your pet’s body, but it can also help to determine whether your pet has an internal haemorrhage, a blockage or another injury that may not be able to be seen externally.

  • If your pet may have swallowed a foreign object

    Animals get into all sorts of mischief, including eating things they shouldn’t. An ultrasound can help to detect foreign materials or objects that may be in their body.

    While x-rays are sometimes used in these circumstances, they aren’t always able to detect certain materials.

    An ultrasound can also help to show the size of the object and its location, which can help your vet to determine whether surgery is required to remove the object or not.

  • If there have been abnormal blood or urine test results

    When abnormal or unusual blood or urine test results are received, a vet may recommend an ultrasound of the abdominal area to determine if there are any internal issues affecting your pet’s health.

  • If your pet has a heart condition

    An ultrasound can be used to check how well your pet’s heart chambers and valves are functioning. This kind of ultrasound is called an echocardiogram and can help in diagnosing whether your pet has a heart condition or can help to monitor an existing heart condition.

  • If your pet is or could be pregnant

    Ultrasounds are the most accurate way to determine pregnancy in animals and are commonly used to not only diagnose the pregnancy but also monitor the progress of it.

  • Soft tissue examination

    Soft tissue in the body is able to be evaluated by an ultrasound in most areas of the body. An ultrasound of the soft tissue may be required if your pet has been injured, or to check if there is any abnormal tissue in the body. The soft tissue that is commonly examined by ultrasound includes thyroid glands, eyes, tendons, and ligaments.

Ultrasounds for your pets at Bundaberg Emergency Animal Hospital

Here at Bundaberg Emergency Animal Hospital our team of highly skilled emergency vets are able to perform ultrasounds on a variety of different animals including dogs and cats.

We understand that it can be stressful for both you and your pet when they are unwell, that’s why we provide a high level of professional and personable care for every animal who comes to see us.

If your pet is unwell and may require an ultrasound, give us a call today to discuss the next steps.

Call Us Now 1800 232 423

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the difference between an x-ray and an ultrasound?

    Both x-rays and ultrasounds are diagnosis tools that provide internal imaging of your pet. Often, they are used interchangeably, or in conjunction with one another to ensure we can get the most comprehensive view of what is happening in your pet.

    An ultrasound uses soundwave echoes to generate an image of the area being examined while an x-ray uses electromagnetic beams.

    An ultrasound can provide images as well as video of what is happening, while an x-ray is a static image. An ultrasound generally shows soft tissues and organs in more detail than an x-ray does.
    Both are harmless for your pet.

  • Does my pet need to be sedated for an ultrasound?

    Depending on why your pet needs an ultrasound and their behaviour may influence whether they need to be sedated for the ultrasound.

    If your pet is nervous or in a lot of pain, sedation may make the process more comfortable. And if they are required to lay in an uncomfortable position it may be easier to have them sedated to get an effective ultrasound.

  • How should I prepare my pet for an ultrasound?

    The reason as to why your pet is having the ultrasound may influence how you need to prepare for your pet’s ultrasound. In some instances, you may need to withhold food from your pet for a period of time prior to the ultrasound.

    Your vet may shave your pet in the areas being examined if necessary, however, you don’t need to do this prior to the ultrasound.

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