Ultrasound
🩺 Ultrasound Services
At Southtowns Animal Hospital, we are pleased to offer ultrasound diagnostics to help us provide the best possible care for your pet. Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive imaging tool that allows us to visualize the internal organs in real-time, giving us valuable insights for accurate diagnoses and treatment planning. While we do not have a Veterinary Internist on staff Dr. Kandefer is certified in Veterinary Sonography and able to perform Ultrasounds to help diagnose your pet.
📸 What is a Veterinary Ultrasound?
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create live images of your pet’s internal structures. It’s particularly useful for evaluating:
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- Heart and cardiovascular system
- Abdominal organs (liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, intestines)
- Masses, cysts, or fluid buildup
- Pregnancy and fetal development
Unlike X-rays, ultrasounds provide more detail on soft tissue structures without exposing your pet to radiation.
🐾 When is an Ultrasound Recommended?
Your veterinarian may suggest an ultrasound if your pet is experiencing:
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- Chronic vomiting or diarrhea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood or urine test abnormalities
- Suspected tumors or internal swelling
- Trouble urinating or abnormal urine
- Pregnancy monitoring
Ultrasound helps us detect what may not be visible on other imaging tests, reducing the need for exploratory procedures.
💡 What to Expect
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- No pain and typically sedation isn’t required. *Please note that some pets may need sedation if they are anxious or unable to lay still for the procedure.*
- Your pet may need a small area shaved
- Results are typically available same day
- While this is a non-evasive procedure we do admit patients for the day and perform ultrasounds on surgical days. We do this so we have enough time to perform the ultrasound, receive all the necessary images, and review the results. Your pet will go home same day after the procedure is completed.
If sedation is needed (for comfort or stillness), our team will explain the process in advance.
🧑⚕️ Experienced Care with Compassion
Dr. Kandefer is trained to perform and interpret ultrasound images with precision and care. For complex cases, we may collaborate with a board-certified radiologist for further evaluation.
💬 “Ultrasound helps us see what your pet can’t tell us—and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.”
📅 Schedule an Ultrasound
If your pet is new to us or we haven’t seen your pet recently we will require an exam with Dr. Kandefer before scheduling the Ultrasound procedure.
If your pet is showing signs of illness, or you’ve been referred for an ultrasound exam, contact us today:
📞 716-824-4108
