Ultrasound

“Ultrasound” is a commonly used expression to describe a diagnostic tool that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasonic waves) to create an ultrasound image of part of the inside of the body.

A small handheld probe with a smooth, dome-like tip is pressed against the animal’s skin during the procedure. The fur is removed from where the probe is placed.

The ultrasonic sound waves bounce off different parts of the inside of the animal’s body, creating echoes that bounce back to the probe, which detects them and translates them into a moving image.

This image is displayed on the ultrasound machine monitor while the scan is being carried out. A recording of the scan is stored and still images are analyzed. Measurements are taken from these images, allowing a detailed analysis of many internal structures. Ultrasonography is available at both our Reigate and Tadworth branches.