Veterinary Ultrasound
A Closer Look Inside Your Pet’s Health
What Is a Pet Ultrasound?
An ultrasound (also known as a sonogram) is a safe, painless diagnostic tool used in both veterinary and human medicine. Unlike X-rays, which create still images, ultrasounds produce real-time moving images that allow us to watch your pet’s internal organs as they function.
- Abdominal organs
- Soft tissues
- The heart and circulatory system
- Reproductive status
- Internal inflammation or fluid
- Masses, cysts, or nodules
Because it allows us to see structures moving in real time, ultrasound often gives us answers that other tests can’t.
How Ultrasound Works
Ultrasound machines use high-frequency sound waves that travel into the body, bounce off internal structures, and return as echoes. These echoes are translated into live images on the screen, giving us a clear, detailed look at your pet’s organs and tissues without radiation.
When Do Pets Need an Ultrasound?
- Showing signs of illness
- Vomiting, lethargic, or not eating
- Experiencing abdominal pain or bloating
- Having urinary, digestive, or liver issues
- Pregnant or suspected to be pregnant
- Being evaluated for heart disease
- Showing masses or nodules on X-rays
- Ingesting a foreign object
- Needing guided biopsies or fluid evaluation
Ultrasound helps us diagnose conditions such as:
- Organ enlargement
- Tumors or cysts
- Fluid accumulation
- Abnormal blood flow
- Bladder stones
- Foreign bodies
- Inflammation or infection
How Ultrasound Supports Urgent Care Cases
When every minute matters, ultrasound can be one of the most important tools we use.
What to Expect at Your Pet’s Ultrasound Appointment
- We shave or trim a small area of fur at the imaging site.
- A warm, water-based gel is applied to the skin.
- The ultrasound probe is gently moved across the area to capture images.
The entire process is typically quick, comfortable, and well-tolerated by both dogs and cats.
Ultrasound Services at White Haven Veterinary Hospital
Want to Understand More About How We Diagnose Health Conditions?
Ultrasound is just one part of a complete diagnostic approach. To explore the full range of tools we use to evaluate your pet’s health, visit our Veterinary Diagnostics page.
Schedule an Ultrasound for Your Pet
