Ultrasound provides a tool to look inside the organs and evaluate their “layers”. Ultrasound lets us see things that can’t be seen on a plain x-ray image because they are too small or because they are obscured by larger organs around them. Evaluation of these small structures and organ “layers” helps us to identify many conditions including intestinal diseases, cancers, uterine infections and fluid accumulation due to disease to name a few. Using ultrasound guidance we can safely sample fluid and take needle biopsies to diagnose your pet’s illness.
On a lighter note, ultrasound also lets us safely evaluate female animals for pregnancy – we can see fetuses and their heartbeats!