Abdominal Ultrasound for Dogs

Identification

• An abdominal ultrasound is performed by placing gel on a transducer and moving it across the dog's abdomen. An ultrasound works by transmitting ultrasound waves through the transducer. These waves are reflected by the internal organs, which produces an image of the dog's internal organ's on a computer screen.

Benefits

• Canine abdominal ultrasound provides numerous benefits. The procedure is not painful and most dogs do not need to be sedated for it. An abdominal ultrasound can help evaluate the kidneys, bladder, uterus, liver, spleen, stomach, prostate gland and intestines. Abdominal ultrasound is also useful for detecting tumors which may be present in the organs, or lymph node abnormalities, such as enlargement.

Considerations

• While an abdominal ultrasound is a popular diagnostic tool, not every veterinarian has the necessary equipment, which can result in a referral to see a specialist. Cost may factor into the decision to have an ultrasound performed on your pet, as a trained ultrasound technician must perform the test, making it rather expensive.

Types

• Symptoms an abdominal ultrasound may help diagnose can include diarrhea, vomiting, blood in the urine, unexplained fever, poor appetite and weight loss. An abdominal ultrasound might be performed as a follow up to an X-ray or blood test indicating a problem with a specific organ, such as the liver or spleen.

Potential

• An abdominal ultrasound is a diagnostic tool, but not 100 percent accurate, and may not provide the veterinarian with the specific information he needs to make a diagnosis. As a result, additional procedures, such as endoscopy or an X-ray with intravenous contrast dye, may be necessary. Exploratory surgery may be needed in some cases to properly diagnose and treat your pet.