Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Is the ultrasound procedure safe and how long will it take?

A : Yes it is safe and painless. The examination should take 30 – 40 minutes, depending on how cooperative the patient is.

• Q : Is ultrasound effective at evaluating urinary bladder stones?

A : Yes, ultrasound is very sensitive at assessing any forms of mineralization, such as urinary bladder, gall bladder and kidney stones

• Q : Should the owner stay with the patient during the ultrasound examination?

A: The owner is advised not to stay for the examination, unless the patient is particularly nervous. Ideally, if the patient is dropped off at the hospital 1–2 hours prior to their ultrasound appointment, they then have time to settle into the hospital environment.

• Q: Should the patient be fasted and have a full urinary bladder for the examination?

A: Yes, the patient should be fasted for 12 hours prior to the examination, if clinically safe to do so. A reasonably full urinary bladder is recommended, particularly if examination of the urinary tract is going to be performed.

• Q : Should the referring veterinarian drain any fluid from the abdomen or thorax, or perform radiographic contrast procedures before the ultrasound examination?

A: A certain amount of fluid is helpful for ultrasound evaluation, as the sound waves travel well through fluid. Therefore, if it is clinically safe to do so, please do not remove fluid from the abdomen or thorax. Radiographic contrast materials reflect and attenuate the ultrasound waves, therefore it is recommended not to do these procedures before an ultrasound examinations.

• Q : Will the ultrasound examination always provide a definitive diagnosis?

A : The ultrasound examination will always provide further information about the patient’s condition. However, with certain conditions, a fine needle aspirate, tissue biopsy or other sampling procedure and subsequent laboratory analysis, may be required for a definitive diagnosis.

• Q : If it is suspected that the patient has ingested a foreign body, should radiographs or ultrasound be performed?

A : Due to the gas-filled nature of the gastrointestinal tract, which causes ultrasound artifacts, sometimes both radiographs and ultrasound are necessary to fully evaluate for possible foreign bodies.

• Q: Is ultrasound good at evaluating heart disease?

A: Yes, both congenital heart malformations, and aquired heart disease (eg cardiac valve abnormalities, cardiomyopathy) can be fully evaluated using Doppler ultrasound.

• Q: Will the patient be shaved for the ultrasound procedure?

A: Yes, because the hair traps air, which ultrasound waves cannot penetrate through, the patient will have some hair shaved, and water-soluble ultrasound gel will be used on the skin during the examination.

• Q: Will the patient be sedated for the ultrasound procedure?

A : The patient will only be sedated if it is uncomfortable or anxious, or an ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration / tissue biopsy is being performed.