Ultrasonography

We offer state of the art small animal color doppler ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography) and of the abdomen. With abdominal ultrasound, we can see the bladder, kidneys, gall bladder, lymph nodes, blood vessels, abnormal fluids, pancreas, tumors, adrenal glands, uterus, and stomach, intestines, and beating fetal hearts. Echocardiography (ECG) allows us to see the heart in real-time while it is working. From these images, we can see how well the heart is pumping, whether the heart muscle is too thin or thick, or whether the heart chambers are enlarged. Blood clots, leaky valves, abnormal fluid around the heart, and heart defects can also be seen. For a complete cardiac workup, we transmit the echocardiogram, blood pressure, EKG, and chest radiographs for interpretation and treatment recommendations by a veterinary cardiologist. Ultrasound has been an invaluable diagnostic tool for us at Heartland Veterinary Clinic and enables our patients to get advanced care without travel to a specialty center. Dr. Sanborn has been trained in ultrasound for rapid evaluation.