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Ultrasound

Much like detecting health problems in humans, it is rarely easy to identify a problem with your pet just by looking at her. In fact, it can be very difficult to tell that your pet is ill at all since animals have a natural tendency to try and mask signs of injury or sickness so that they don’t appear weak and vulnerable. This means that often, by the time a pet is diagnosed with an illness or injury, their condition has become worse than it might have been if it had been identified earlier.

In order to make an accurate diagnosis for your pet, veterinarians need to have access to some important diagnostic tools. One of the most successful is a machine that performs something known as an ultrasound scan. We are pleased to be able to offer a comprehensive ultrasound diagnostic service at our veterinary clinic in Elko, NV.

What is ultrasound and what is it used for?

Ultrasound is a fairly well-known imaging technique that can be used for both diagnosing and managing certain health conditions. Many people think that ultrasound is purely used to detect and monitor pregnancy in humans and animals. Whilst it most certainly can be used in this way, it is also a beneficial tool in the detection of a wide variety of other illnesses and injuries.

The ultrasound procedure itself is a non-invasive process that involves a small probe being placed against your pet’s skin and moved around over it to visualize the organs inside her body. It does this by transmitting invisible sound waves into her body which are either absorbed, reflected or simply pass through your pet’s body’s internal structures. The ultrasound waves that are reflected will return as echoes which will be converted into an image that is displayed on the monitor for your veterinarian to assess.

Is ultrasound safe?

Understandably, many owners have reservations about the use of ultrasound technology. Rest assured that ultrasound is considered to be extremely safe, particularly when compared to other forms of imaging such as x-rays. For this reason, it is strongly advocated by expert veterinarians across the country.

What problems can be detected by ultrasound?

Veterinary ultrasounds can be used to detect a whole plethora of different illness including, but not limited to:

- Checking the overall size and position of internal organs

- Identifying gallstones or sludge in the gallbladder

- Unusual enlargement of the spleen

- Cysts or abnormal growths in the liver, pancreas, and spleen

- Detecting and monitoring pregnancy

If you think that your pet would benefit from an ultrasound or if you have further questions about this important diagnostic tool, please don’t hesitate to contact our veterinary clinic where our experienced and reassuring team will be delighted to assist you. Contact our clinic in Elko, NV today to speak to us.

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