To help you and your pet prepare for an Ultrasound at Snowy Vets, we’ve put together some information and important steps that need to be taken before prior to your pets appointment.
What is an Ultrasound?
An ultrasound scan is a very important tool to help us diagnose diseases in animals, particularly for conditions involving soft tissues, such as those found in the abdomen, or the heart.
Before the Ultrasound:
Fasting – Do not feed your pet after 10 pm the night before their procedure. Fasting is important as a full stomach will make imaging organs around the stomach difficult (liver, adrenals etc). Water is permitted.
No Urination – Please do not let your pet urinate from 7am, the day of their Ultrasound. A full or partially full urinary bladder is very helpful for a complete examination.
During the Ultrasound:
A note on hair The hair on your pets abdomen will be shaved prior to their Ultrasound.
This is necessary as the presence of hair obstructs the ultrasound waves and causes “blackout” on the picture. Blackout prevents us from obtaining the best possible view. We want you to be aware that your pet will come home with a slightly different hairstyle.
During the scan a water-soluble gel is applied over the clipped area to be examined and a transducer (probe) is placed on the skin. No pain is felt during an ultrasound exam, however, discomfort from pressure may be experienced. Sedatives may be necessary for those animals that won’t stay still or are uncomfortable.
Will my pet need to be sedated?
Most of our patients will not need sedation. However, if your pet is very anxious or painful, sedation may be helpful. We will inform you if there are any contraindications to sedation.
After the ultrasound
Once the scan has been done we will give you a call to confirm an appointment for discharge. Our veterinarians will show you the images and then discuss the diagnosis and treatment plan for your pet.
Important Information for Owners:
Full payment for your pets surgical procedure is required before discharge from Hospital. If you require an estimate for the cost of the procedure, please request one prior to your appointment. If you would like to discuss what payment options we have, please call our friendly staff to discuss prior to the day of surgery.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to seeing you and your pet on the day!
