Vet Ultrasounds

Unlike X-rays, ultrasound does not use any radiation at all. Ultrasound works via sound waves, so your beloved pet will not be exposed to any radiation at all making this a completely safe procedure.

We use ultrasounds to diagnose a wide variety of conditions in pets.

Pet abdominal ultrasounds are useful for finding tumors - even in their earliest stages. The images also help us determine what kind of treatment is necessary. Abdominal ultrasound can detect abnormalities with organs including the kidneys, the pancreas, the liver, stomach, small intestines, and colon. We can even use an ultrasound to help guide us when taking a biopsy. And as with humans, ultrasound is used to help us diagnose pregnancy. 

Pet echocardiography is also performed using ultrasound. This allows us to get an accurate image of the heart and examine heart valves, blood vessels, muscles, fluid in the pericardium, and even heartworms.

You won’t have to do much at all to prepare your pet for their ultrasound exam. We may request your pet come in with an empty stomach or a full bladder. We will let you know if this is necessary. In some cases, we may need to shave some fur before their ultrasound, but don’t worry, we will take care of this! That’s all, the ultrasound is an easy and painless procedure.

Ultrasounds are viewed in real-time, so in most cases, we will be able to give you results immediately. If it is necessary for the results to be seen by a veterinary radiologist or another specialist, it may take a couple of days. We will let you know if that’s the case.

At Kanan Veterinary Hospital, we understand how much you love your pet. No matter the reason for your visit, we will make sure your pet receives the best care available from professionals who truly care. To learn more about pet ultrasound or to make an appointment, call us at 818-532-7434 today.