Ultrasound & Endoscopy

Ultrasound

Ultrasound technology is a non-invasive procedure used to evaluate the abdominal organs, heart, eyes and reproductive organs.

For many abdominal disorders, both ultrasound and X-rays are recommended for optimal evaluation. Radiographs show the size, shape and position of organs or the heart, but ultrasound allows our doctors to see inside the organs.

Using state-of-the-art equipment, our doctors trained in diagnostic ultrasound can make a rapid assessment of pets requiring medical or surgical care.

Ultrasound performed by our medical team can be used to:

• Diagnose and Assess Heart Disease
• Assess Trauma Patients for Internal Injuries
• Identify and Collect Pleural Effusion (Fluid in the Chest Cavity)
• Identify and Collect Abdominal Effusion (Fluid in the Abdomen)
• Diagnose Detached Retinas
• Identify Masses Within the Eye
• Assess Liver and Gall Bladder
• Identify Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies
• Identify Masses Within the Abdomen
• Diagnose Kidney and Bladder Stones
• Pregnancy Diagnosis
• Guide Fine Needle Aspirates of Organs or Masses
• Treat Pericardial Effusion
• Identify Splenic Torsion
• Diagnose Pyometra

A full report of each sonogram is included in the patient’s medical record, and a copy of the report and images can be provided to the client or referring veterinarian.

Echocardiogram

This procedure is an ultrasound or sonogram of the heart. It is also known as a cardiac ECHO. Cardiac ultrasonography allows a visualization of heart size, heart valve integrity and movement, congenital heart defects, and thickness of heart muscle walls. Radiographs and Echocardiography together give a superior picture of the patient’s cardiac health. Echocardiogram is one of our greatest tools for selecting long-term treatment protocols to provide the best possible outcome for our patients with cardiac disease.

Cardiac ultrasound is essential in emergency hospitals for diagnosing emergency cardiac conditions. Respiratory emergencies can be more rapidly assessed when ultrasound is used to rule heart disease in or out as the cause. Cardiac tumors or trauma can result in hemorrhage in the pericardial sac (sac surrounding the heart), creating an emergency condition because the heart cannot adequately beat or pump blood due to surrounding fluid pressure. Radiographs will not make the diagnosis for this condition, only ultrasound. Ultrasound is also used in the treatment of this condition by assisting in the guidance of a needle into the pericardial sac to remove fluid.

Endoscopy

An endoscope is a long, flexible tube with a small camera at the tip, which allows us to visualize your pet’s digestive tract as well as diagnose and treat a variety of conditions. Because of the flexibility of the tube, and the usage of fiberoptics, a doctor is able to guide the scope and visualize the lining of the stomach or intestines. The endoscope has a channel that allows the passage of specially made instruments, some that are used for obtaining biopsies of the gastrointestinal tract, and some that are used for removing foreign bodies from the stomach or esophagus.

There is a tremendous benefit to be able to remove foreign bodies from the stomach with endoscopy versus invasive exploratory surgery that involves making an incision into the stomach. Using endoscopy, we have removed a variety of foreign bodies from our patient’s stomach including coins, fish hooks, string, sewing needles and small toys.

The endoscope is also used extensively for biopsies in chronic vomiting cases. Chronic vomiting and/ or diarrhea in dogs and cats is sometimes caused by Inflammatory bowel disease. A visual inspection of the digestive tract with endoscopy helps allow the doctor to rule out different causes of vomiting and diarrhea as well as take biopsies to rule out cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.