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You’ve probably heard of ultrasound before. And if you’ve ever seen a black-and-white photo of a baby inside their mother’s womb, you’ve seen an ultrasound image. This technology is as widely used in veterinary medicine as it is in human healthcare. It’s a safe, reliable way for your veterinarian Frisco, TX to get a picture of your pet’s internal organs and tissue structure.
Learn more about ultrasound below as your vet Frisco, TX answers some of your most frequently asked questions.
How does ultrasound work?
An ultrasound machine emits high-frequency sound waves that reflect off of the tissues in a pet’s body to create an image. That image is transmitted electronically to a monitor, allowing your veterinary clinic Frisco, TX to view the inside of your pet’s body. A handheld device known as a transducer “points” the sound waves at a specific area of your pet’s body. Additionally, the sound waves can be amplified to penetrate to a certain level under the skin’s surface.
What is ultrasound used for?
Ultrasound is used to get a real-time picture of internal organs and structures, such as the heart, kidneys, liver, bladder, and more. It can also be used during exploratory procedures, perhaps to find a foreign body that your pet swallowed, or for collecting biopsy samples. Ultrasound might also be used by your pet clinic Frisco, TX team to guide instruments during surgical procedures.
There are many, many procedures that ultrasound could be used for. Visualizing kidney stones, diagnosing a tumor, examining internal tissue damage… the list goes on. There is also an echocardiogram, a type of scan that uses ultrasound technology to assess heart disease. Ask your veterinarians Frisco, TX for more information.
Is ultrasound the same thing as an X-ray?
No, ultrasound is not the same thing as an X-ray scan. X-rays take a still image of a part of the body or the whole body. Ultrasound allows the professionals at your vet Frisco, TX to view the body or area in real time. Of course, X-rays are still widely used as well. It simply depends on what’s best for the procedure.
Note that an X-ray scan produces a small amount of radiation every time that it’s performed. If this is performed frequently over time, it can be bad for your pet’s health. Ultrasound, on the other hand, doesn’t have this risk. Talk to your animal hospital Frisco, TX for more insight into this.
What is an ultrasound procedure like?
A pet does not have to be placed under anesthesia to receive an ultrasound scan, which is another benefit of the technology. The first step is to shave the part of the body being examined in order to get a clear picture. Then, the team at your pet clinic Frisco, TX will apply a gel to the area. This allows the transducer to glide over the skin easily, enhancing the image. Next, the scan is performed. It’s as simple as that!
Ultrasound is an extremely safe, reliable, and helpful tool in your veterinarian’s Frisco, TX arsenal. And because it’s completely non-invasive and doesn’t require anesthesia to perform, it’s a great choice for almost any pet. Call your vet’s office to learn more about this fascinating veterinary technology.
