Getting a Fort Lauderdale Pet Ultrasound
When your pet feels ill, it can be stressful for everyone in your family. At Family Pet Medical Center, we can help with expert veterinary services in the Fort Lauderdale area. Our team of experienced veterinarians can provide the care your pet needs to feel better quickly. In some cases, we may recommend an ultrasound for your pet. Here are some of the facts you should know about this important veterinary procedure and why it may be required to protect the health of your pet.
What Does an Ultrasound Do?
Ultrasound procedures allow your veterinarian to take a look at the internal organs of your pet without performing invasive surgery. An abdominal ultrasound can identify problems with your pet’s intestines, liver, kidneys, stomach and other organs that might otherwise go unnoticed. These diagnostic tools are also used to monitor pregnancies in pets, which can help ensure healthy puppies or kittens are delivered.
How Does an Ultrasound Work?
Ultrasound procedures use sound waves that are applied to the area of concern. These waves bounce back differently depending on the tissue, bone or other materials in this area of your pet’s body. This allows a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image to be created using a computer and the ultrasound machine, which can allow your veterinarian to find any developing problems or abnormalities inside your pet.
Why Your Veterinarian May Recommend an Ultrasound
X-rays do a good job of providing information on broken bones and other issues affecting your pet’s skeletomuscular system. These diagnostic procedures, however, are not as effective in providing information to your veterinarian about the condition of internal organs and soft tissues inside your pet’s body. Ultrasound scans are more effective in this regard and can often identify problems during the early stages when treatment is most effective.
Some of the most common symptoms that may require an ultrasound include the following:
- Lack of normal appetite and sudden or unexplained loss of weight
- Vomiting, constipation or diarrhea
- A suspected mass in the abdomen
- Confirmation and monitoring of pregnancy
- Abnormal blood readings, including elevated liver readings
- An unusual result on X-rays
- Pain in the chest or abdomen
- Possible fluid in the abdomen or chest
If your pet is showing signs of any of these problems, your Fort Lauderdale veterinarian may recommend an ultrasound to learn more about the underlying causes of these issues.
What to Expect From Your Pet’s Ultrasound
Before the ultrasound, you may need to withhold food from your pet for eight to 12 hours to ensure the best and clearest images. Your veterinarian will let you know if it is all right to offer water and regular medications. In the office, your pet’s abdomen or chest will be shaved to allow the best possible contact between the probe and the skin. The entire process usually takes less than an hour, after which a veterinary radiologist will evaluate and interpret the results. If your pet becomes anxious or upset, your veterinary office may recommend sedation to ensure the best results.
At Family Pet Medical Center, we serve Fort Lauderdale pet owners with the most advanced and effective treatment options to ensure that your beloved companion stays healthy and safe. Our team is committed to the highest standards of veterinary excellence. We provide affordable care for your pet and offer an initial complimentary exam to help you get started with Family Pet Medical Center. With available Saturday and Sunday appointments, we make it easy for you to schedule your pet’s care with us. Call us today at 954-567-2500 to schedule an appointment or to request emergency care for your four-legged friend. Our team will be happy to help you and your pets to live your best life in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area.
