In ultrasound, a device called a transducer emits very high frequency sound waves into the animal’s body and measures when the waves bounce back. A computer interprets the pattern of sound reflection and creates a moving image on a monitor. Ultrasound is painless and requires no chemicals, radiation, or entry into the body. It allows us to visualize internal organs with more clarity and detail than regular x-ray. Ultrasound is also utilized to obtain sterile urine samples when urinary tract infections are suspected and cultures of the urine are required for appropriate therapeutic decision making.
