Dr. Andrea Hilden (in white coat, center), Head Technician Randi Dotson, CVT (right), and Technician Assistant Marcia Lucas (left) obtaining a urine sample utilizing our ultrasound machine to locate and visualize the bladder.

Dr. Shelley Humphrey has this to say our ultrasonography:

Ultrasound is an incredibly useful tool in veterinary medicina whether dealing with simple or complex medical issures.  Ultrasound allows us to see all of the organs in the abdomen with detail much beyond the capability of x-rays.

For example, we can see thickened bladder walls indicative of uriary tract disease often times before your pet is showing any signs of disease at all.  We can look for liver, splenic, and intestinal disease as well.

The really nice thing about ultrasound is that it is a very non-invasive, non-painful, fairly quick technique that allows us to obtain incredible amounts of infomration.  We rarely if ever need sesation for the exam, and often find the pets are so relaxed during the exam it's difficult to rouse them back on their feet when we are done!

Ultrasound has become and incredible adjunct to veterinary medicine and has changed the way we practice medicine.  Whether we are screening for diseases in specific organs, obtaining routine urine samples, or scanning the abdomen in search of complicated diagnoses, I cannot imagine practicing medicine without it.