Diagnostic ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic technique used to image inside the body. Ultrasound probes, called transducers, are placed on the animals abdomen and images are produced on the screen of the internal organs. Ultrasound is not good for imaging bones or any tissues that contain air, like the lungs. Under some conditions, ultrasound can image bones (such as in a fetus) or the lungs and lining around the lungs, when they are filled or partially filled with fluid. One of the most common uses of ultrasound in veterinary medicine is during pregnancy, to monitor the viability of the fetuses, but there are many other uses, including imaging the abdominal organs, heart, blood vessels, eyes, thyroid, and muscles. Diagnostic ultrasound is generally regarded as safe and does not produce ionizing radiation like that produced by x-rays.

Referring Veterinarians can find the referral form on our website under ‘Referrals’.