Ultrasound facilities are available at both our surgeries.
How does Ultrasound work?
Veterinary Ultrasound machines are the same as ones used in human medicine to scan babies in the womb. Ultrasound is a form of sound wave which can pass through skin and tissue into the body. The sound waves are directed through the area the vet wants to look at and some of them are reflected back like an echo. These echoes are detected by a special computer which uses them to produce an image on the screen for the vet to interpret.
What does an Ultrasound examination involve?
To ensure good contact between the Ultrasound probe head and the skin of your pet, the hair will be shaved off and ultrasound gel applied. It is not necessary to anaesthetise an animal for ultrasound examinations but they may need to be sedated if they resent being held still.
When will I know the results?
Results of the tests will be available the same day. However, in some more complicated cases, referral of the ultrasound printout to a specialist for a second opinion may be sought before giving the owner a final diagnosis.
The Ultrasound machine is also a valuable tool in our large animal work - for pregnancy diagnosis and fertility examinations of cattle and horses and for scanning tendons of horses.