One of the most commonly performed diagnostic procedures at SouthPaws Veterinary Referral Center is the ultrasound examination. Up to 50 chest, abdominal, eye, and soft tissue examinations are performed by veterinary internists and cardiologists each week. Advanced training and experience are required to accurately interpret the results of this type of imaging.

The ultrasound exam begins by placing the tip of a transducer probe against the moistened skin of the patient. High frequency sound waves are introduced into the body tissues and reflected back into the probe to develop visual images of the internal organs. The examination is painless, usually requires no sedation or anesthesia, and typically takes less than half an hour to perform.

Ultrasound examination is useful in:
1. Evaluating diseases of solid tissue organs including the liver, kidneys, prostate, pancreas, and lymph nodes.
2. Evaluating tumors and masses.
3. Evaluating fluid buildup in body cavities (chest, abdomen, heart sac), in internal organs (gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, uterus), and in cysts or abscesses.
4. Evaluating heart disease (an ultrasound examination of the heart is often called an echocardiogram).
5. Evaluating structures within and behind the eye (retinal detachments, tumors, abscesses, and enlargement or protrusion of the eye).
6. Guidance of biopsy instruments and catheters (liver and kidney biopsies, pericardium and chest drainage).

After more than 25 years of use in animals, ultrasonography has become an indispensable tool for veterinary specialists. From performing outpatient ultrasound examination of pets for heart or kidney disease to the recent diagnosing of cancer in the giant panda at the National Zoo, SouthPaws veterinarians provide an array of state of the art ultrasound examinations to accurately diagnose disease in their animal patients.

We urge you to discuss the possible advantages of an ultrasound examination with your local regular veterinarian to determine if illness in your pet may be best evaluated by this type of imaging.

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