Cardiac and abdominal ultrasounds are valuable diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine, allowing detailed visualization of internal structures and aiding in the diagnosis of various conditions. Here are common conditions for which these ultrasounds are used in pets:
Cardiac Ultrasound (Echocardiography)
Used to evaluate the heart’s structure and function, cardiac ultrasounds help diagnose:
- Heart Murmurs: Determine cause and severity, assess heart function.
- Congenital Heart Defects: Conditions like Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), and Atrial Septal Defect (ASD).
- Cardiomyopathy: Hypertrophic (HCM), Dilated (DCM), and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
- Valvular Heart Disease: Mitral/tricuspid valve disease, aortic/pulmonic stenosis.
- Pericardial Effusion: Fluid around the heart.
- Congestive Heart Failure: Evaluate function and treatment progress.
- Endocarditis: Infection of heart valves or lining.
- Pulmonary Hypertension: Increased lung artery pressure.
- Arrhythmias: Structural evaluation of abnormal heart rhythms.
- Heart Tumors: Tumors like hemangiosarcoma affecting the heart.
Abdominal Ultrasound
This provides a detailed view of internal organs and is used to diagnose:
- Liver Disease: Hepatitis, tumors, hepatic lipidosis, cirrhosis.
- Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease, polycystic kidneys, tumors.
- Bladder/Urethral Issues: Stones, tumors, cystitis, obstructions.
- Gastrointestinal Conditions: IBD, foreign bodies, tumors, intussusception.
- Pancreatic Disease: Pancreatitis, tumors, cysts.
- Spleen Disorders: Masses, torsion, hematomas.
- Reproductive Conditions: Pyometra, pregnancy, ovarian cysts/tumors.
- Adrenal Gland Disorders: Cushing’s, Addison’s, adrenal tumors.
- Abdominal Masses: Tumors, cysts, abscesses.
- Ascites: Fluid buildup from heart/liver disease or cancer.
- Gallbladder Disease: Cholecystitis, gallstones, mucoceles.
- Lymph Node Enlargement: Infection, inflammation, cancer.
The Benefits of Ultrasound Examinations
Risk-free and painless – Sedation is rarely required, while the examination remains easy for animals to undergo.
Definitive answers within moments – as with other imaging, ultrasound scans allow us to verify information promptly, often allowing us to inform you on the same day.
Determines further procedures – when a fluid or tissue sample is necessary, an ultrasound scan enables us to obtain it accurately and with minimal risk.
Relief – An ultrasound scan allows you to understand your pet’s internal health, whether to eliminate worries or to confirm diagnoses.
Preparations
Your pet may have to fast for several hours before an ultrasound of the abdomen to enable us to obtain optimum images. We will carefully shave the region to be scanned, spread some gel, and then use a small probe to get the images. Most pets rest with ease throughout the 30–45-minute procedure. Heart ultrasounds follow the same protocols.
How Your Pet Benefits
Animals can show illness too late, but with ultrasound imaging, we can identify health concerns early, monitor developments, and choose the best treatment options. This diagnostic tool can be used to detect heart conditions and other concealed issues within the abdomen, making it extremely useful in pet care and maintaining pet health.
Our goal is simple: to give you simple, clear answers and offer your pet the best possible care. Ultrasounds enable us to do just that with minimal stress for you and your furry friend. For more details call All Creatures Veterinary Center at (661) 291 – 1124
