Pet Ultrasound
A non-invasive way to diagnose sick & injured pets.
Ultrasound is a wonderful non-invasive way to give us information about internal body structures and systems. Ultrasounds use safe sound waves to give us a picture of the internal organs, without having to expose the patient to radiation. Ultrasound allows us to visualize many things that can’t be seen with traditional radiographs (x-rays) because fluid and tissue have the same density on x-rays. On ultrasound, however, tissues and fluid look very different and can allow us to visualize abdominal organs, reproductive systems, the heart and the eye. Another benefit is that ultrasounds are painless, and can be done in awake non-sedated patients most of the time. Not all veterinary practices utilize ultrasound machines, due to the expense and skill required to operate them. We are happy to offer this service if needed to all patients. If needed, we can easily send the images electronically to a board certified radiologist for an expert opinion.
Radiographs are still superior for visualizing bone tissue and often we will use both radiographs and ultrasound to get the most information about what is happening in your pet.
If your pet is showing signs of illness or injury, call us at (406) 255-0500 to schedule an appointment. An ultrasound may be able to assist in diagnosing the problem.