Abdominal | Cardiac | Thoracic | Thyroid | Pregnancy Check | Fine Needle Aspirates | Abdominocentesis | Pericardiocentesis
Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound includes all organs. The exam concentrates on achieving the paramount goal of answering the clinical question.
Echocardiogram
2-D, M-Mode, color, pulsed and continuous wave doppler are performed on all echo studies. Measurements are taken and uploaded with video clips and stills. Both adult and paediatric (congenital) echoes can be performed.
Preparing for Abdominal Imaging:
Preparing for Echocardiogram:
Should not void for 3-5 hours prior to ultrasound, especially if imaging for urinary pathology.
Shaving the patient prior to the appointment is appreciated. Shave from subxphoid to bladder, and shave to the edge of the rib cage on either side. If you are unsure of shave margins, you are welcome to wait for us to arrive.
Nothing to eat/drink for 8-12 hours, preferably. This ensures all liver parenchyma and an empty gastrointestinal tract can be properly imaged.
Please obtain client consent for sedation and/or fine needle aspirates prior to your appointment. You may use your own consent form or we can provide you with one.
Shaving the patient prior to the appointment is appreciated. If you are unsure of shave margins, you are welcome to wait for us to arrive.
Nothing to eat/drink for 8-12 hours, preferably. This is to ensure that proper imaging of the hepatic vasculature.
Please obtain client consent for sedation and/or fine needle aspirates PRIOR to your appointment. Medication such as butorphanol is considered a cardiac-friendly sedative and is frequently used in cardiac compromised patients during an echocardiogram to ensure adequate imaging.
You may use your own consent form or we can provide one for you.
Before Your Ultrasound Appointment
Veterinarians Only – Contact (888) 808-2098 info@torchrivervm.com
We recommend the patient is dropped off several hours before the ultrasound appointment. Please have all patient forms and necessary consent forms completed before our team arrives. If you require a consent form, we can provide one when the appointment is confirmed.
Contact is for Veterinarians & Veterinary Facilities Only
For Optimal Comfort of Your Patient
Consider giving trazadone and/or gabapentin (when appropriate) the evening before and the morning of the scheduled ultrasound. This medication significantly reduces anxiety in the patient and relaxes the abdomen allowing for better images. Many times, patients with these medications in their systems do not require any heavier sedation.
For any questions about sedation, please reach out to us: info@torchrivervm.com
Fine Needle Aspiration
If needed, Dr. Waffle can perform ultrasound-guided needle aspirates, abdominocentesis, or pericardiocentesis at the time of the appointment.
Ultrasound-Guided FNA can be performed at the time of sonogram if it is safe for the patient.
For higher clinical relevance and a more guided approach, it can be performed as a follow-up procedure once the ultrasound has been interpreted.
All decisions to perform sampling procedures are at the full discretion of the attending veterinarian and the sonographer.
SonoPath specialists give their indications on what should be sampled for diagnostic effectiveness and how to safely sample with ultrasound guidance.