Ultrasound and Echocardiogram

Here at Skycrest Animal Hospital, we are certified to provide ultrasound services. Our veterinarians use sonographer assistance, internal medicine specialists, and radiologists to provide the highest quality diagnostics. Once the veterinarian at Skycrest Animal Hospital has performed the remote-guided ultrasound or echocardiogram, it is sent to the specialist for review. The specialist report is available within 24-28 hours but can be sent urgently if needed. This service enables pets to receive an abdominal ultrasound or echocardiogram without traveling to a specialty facility.

Ultrasound uses sound waves to look inside the abdominal organs – giving us a more detailed look than is available with radiographs. Many times, radiographs are still needed to assess organ size or see any bone changes, but ultrasound can show us what may be going on inside the area of interest. Sometimes, further testing may be needed depending on the report, but it will guide us to the area of interest.

Echocardiography uses the same equipment – ultrasound/ sound waves – to look inside the heart. An “echo” can show us what each chamber of the heart looks like and how each valve is functioning. A common reason to perform an echo is to evaluate a heart murmur. X-rays, or radiographs, are needed along with an echo to fully evaluate the heart and lung function.

These appointments are drop-off appointments, which means the pet is kept at our hospital for a few hours in order to have adequate timing for the procedure and remote guidance. Pets often need a light sedative for the procedure as we can’t ask them to lay perfectly still for an extended period of time!

We are so happy to be able to provide ultrasound and echocardiograms and to get all the information we need to help our patients!