pet-ultrasound

Ultrasound

Seeing under the skin–that’s what’s possible with ultrasound technology. Ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool that creates a real-time internal image of an animal’s body, giving us important information about the circulatory, skeletal, and gastrointestinal systems.

How Does It Work

When used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools like X-rays, ultrasounds can help identify disease, blockages, skeletal fractures, soft tissue damage, and other internal injuries. Because ultrasounds don’t require radiation, they’re also used to monitor pregnancies and fetal health in breeding pets.

An ultrasound works by broadcasting high-frequency sound waves that reflect off your pet’s internal structures. A small probe held against the skin collects the returning signals to create an image of the internal body, most commonly used to examine abdominal organs like the stomach, kidneys, liver, spleen, and gallbladder. An echocardiogram, or ultrasound of the heart, provides precise information about heart valves, blood flow, chamber size, and contractions. Completely painless and non-invasive, ultrasounds usually require some sedation because the patient must remain completely still.

We are proud to partner with Eagle Mobile Veterinary Services to offer on-call diagnostic Ultrasound services to our clinic and surrounding area.

Dr. Joanne Thompson DVM, MS, CCRP

Joanne has been in private companion animal practice in Pennsylvania and North Carolina since graduation in 1988 from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She also holds a Master’s Degree from Clemson University and Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. In the past few years, she has been she developing her interest in Ultrasound diagnostics and completed over 400 hours of Ultrasound training in 2015. Joanne lives in Wilmington with her husband and three dogs.

Schedule A Consultation Today

To schedule a consultation or to learn more about our ultrasound services, call us at 843-444-1234.