Your pet is having an ultrasound or echocardiogram examination today. The ultrasound examination will be done to look for any abnormalities in your pet. We recommend that you drop your pet off while the ultrasound is being performed. You will not
be int he room during the utrasound.
If your pet is having an abdominal ultrasound, the hair on the abdomen will be shaved. If your pet is having a cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram), there will be a small patch of shaved hair on both sides of his/her chest. Some pets may become itchy after the hair has been clipped; if you find that your pet is scratching a lot at home you can apply gentle moisturizers like aloe or an oatmeal- based shampoo/lotion.
Occasionally, sedation (not general anesthesia) is necessary in order to complete the examination. We always attempt to perform ultrasound examinations without sedation and most of the time sedation is not necessary. Sometimes pets are very tense, anxious, or aggressive and sedation is required, both for their comfort and safety and for the safety of the staff holding the pet. If sedation is required, the doctor will use a light sedative tht is either reversible or wears off in a few hours.