Ultrasound

Ultrasound is used to diagnose diseases of the liver, kidney, heart and many other organs. It is also used for pregnancy diagnosis. Ultrasound is a non-invasive technology that allows us to actually see inside the body. However, unlike x-rays, there is no radiation exposure to the patient. As the name implies, ultrasound uses very high frequency sound waves to form a picture of the internal organs similar to sonar. Compared to x-rays, which basically give an outline of the internal organs and bones, ultrasound allows us to actually see the internal architecture and structure of an internal organ. This is a major advantage over x-rays because it allows us to see abnormalities within the organs with much greater precision and accuracy. Our veterinarians are able to see tumors and other small localized abnormalities within the organs that are not visible on x-ray films. Ultrasound also allows measurement of the size of structures within the body and to visualize blood flow in arteries, veins, and organs.