Monday – Saturday: 7 AM to 6 PM
Closed Sundays

 

(520) 572-8300
7555 W Twin Peaks Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85743

Ultrasound

 

 

 

Whether your pet has a chronic condition that requires regular monitoring, an emergency that needs instant evaluation, or a need for basic wellness exams, keep Twin Peaks Veterinary Center in mind. Our Tucson clinic is fully equipped to handle all your pet’s health needs, including imaging with pet ultrasound.

How Pet Ultrasound Works
You may be most familiar with the ultrasound device’s use in creating images of growing fetuses in pregnant women. Veterinarians also use this tool in a similar manner to see growing fetuses and other things inside a pet’s organs.

This device uses soundwaves outside of the range of your hearing and that of your pet’s, typically 1.5 to 15 megahertz (MHz). Because the waves are outside the range that your pet can hear and cannot be felt, your pet will feel no pain or distress during the procedure.

Ultrasound waves pass easily through the skin and bounce back off soft tissues of your pet’s organs. Echoes from the ultrasonic waves create the images the vet uses to make a diagnosis.

Why a Veterinarian Uses Ultrasound
A vet uses ultrasound to examine a variety of soft organs and tissues inside your pet. For example, a veterinarian may want to look for abdominal blockages or fluids. Other times, a vet may use the ultrasound to evaluate joints or look for organ abnormalities. Some vets will use ultrasound during surgery to help with the placement of the surgical tools.

What a Pet Ultrasound Cannot Detect
Unlike x-rays that can examine bones and air-filled lungs, these dense materials create shadows on an ultrasound. Therefore, the ultrasound user must have adequate skills to direct the waves to avoid boney areas and the lungs.

For instance, if the veterinarian suspects a broken bone, he may recommend x-rays first. Should the x-ray fail to show an issue, your pet may need additional imaging with ultrasound.