Veterinary Ultrasound Services in St. Augustine, FL

At Sandbridge Veterinary Care, we are proud to offer advanced ultrasound services to support your pet’s health. Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive diagnostic tool that allows us to examine your pet’s internal organs in detail. Whether your pet needs an abdominal scan or a cardiac evaluation, our skilled team in St. Augustine, FL, is here to provide exceptional care.

What Is Ultrasound and How Does It Work?

Ultrasound, or ultrasonography, uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of your pet’s internal structures. This technology does not involve radiation, making it a safer alternative to some other imaging techniques. With ultrasound, we can examine your pet’s abdomen, detect pregnancies, evaluate cardiac function, and more.

What to Expect During Your Pet’s Ultrasound

Comfortable and Stress-Free Process: Ultrasound examinations are painless and generally do not require anesthesia. For pets that are particularly anxious, we may recommend mild sedation to help them relax.
Shaving Fur for Optimal Imaging: To ensure accurate results, we may need to shave the area being scanned. This allows the ultrasound probe to make full contact with the skin.
Immediate Results: Because ultrasound imaging is performed in real-time, our team can provide you with the results during your visit. If necessary, we may consult with a veterinary radiologist for further insights, which could take a few days.

Will My Dog Need an Anesthetic?

Anesthesia is not usually needed for most ultrasound examinations unless biopsies are to be taken. The technique is totally painless and most dogs will lie comfortably while the scan is being performed. Occasionally, if the dog is very frightened or fractious, a sedative may be necessary.

‍

Is It Necessary to Shave My Pet’s Fur?

In most cases, the fur must be shaved to perform an ultrasound examination. Since ultrasound waves are not transmitted through air, it is imperative that the hand-held probe makes complete contact with the skin. In some cases, such as pregnancy diagnosis, it may be possible to get adequate images by moistening the hair with rubbing alcohol and applying a copious amount of water-soluble ultrasound gel. But don’t worry, this is something we will take care of for you.

When Will I Know the Results of the Examination?

Since an ultrasound study is performed in real-time, the results of what is seen are known immediately. In some cases, the ultrasound images may be sent to a veterinary radiologist for further consultation. When this occurs, the final report may not be available for a few days.

Call us at (904) 901-4030 for reliable, expert ultrasound services in St. Augustine, trust Sandbridge Veterinary Care to give your pet the care they deserve.