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Diagnostic Ultrasounds

At Payson Pet Care, we use diagnostic ultrasounds for minor procedures and to to verify radiograph results.

When would my pet get an ultrasound test?

An ultrasound is excellent at evaluating your pet's internal organs. At Payson Pet Care, we use diagnostic ultrasounds for minor procedures such as cystocenteses and other ultrasound guided fluid taps. Our veterinarian also uses ultrasounds to verify what we observe on our radiographs.

How does ultrasound testing work?

Ultrasound equipment directs a narrow beam of high frequency sound waves into the area of interest. The sound waves either transmit through, reflect, or absorb in the tissues that they encounter. Any ultrasound waves that are reflected will return as echoes and convert into an image that is displayed on the monitor, giving a 2-dimensional image of the tissues under examination. With the ability to obtain real time information, outcomes can often be determined immediately.

The exam is completely painless. Light sedation may be used to help the patient lie comfortably while the scan is being performed. Your pet may need to be shaved in the area of interest, as veterinary ultrasound images are of better quality if they have complete contact with the skin.