Preparing | Pet Imaging

PREPARING FOR ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND

No food preferably for 8-12 hours. this is to make sure all the organs and small structures can be evaluated and images captured with ease, by having an empty gastrointestinal tract and no interference from gas or ingesta.
The bladder should be mildly full, by avoind (when possible), urination 3 to 5 hours prior to ultrasound, specially if imaging for urinary pathology.
Allow the patient to defecate a few hours prior to the ultrasound, as an empty colon allows better visualization of the abdomen but if they urinate, the bladder should be moderately full at the time of the exam.
If time allows, shaving prior to your appointment is appreciated. shave from xyphoid bone to bladder area, and to edge of rib cage on both sides. However, you are more than welcome to wait for us to arrive to shave if unsure of shave margins.

No preparation is necessary but shaving the ventral part of the neck ;
Anxiolytic Fear Free protocol (to be administered by owner, 3 hours before exam) is highly encouraged due to possible discomfort from positioning.

Local ophthalmic anesthetic (Alcaine)
Sterile gel lubricant (individual packets)
Anxiolytic Fear Free protocol highly encouraged to allow the probe to be placed in the eye, while keeping the patient still to evaluate the eye and capture the necessary images.

In order to be as time efficient as possible, please get the clients written consent for sedation and/or fine needle aspirates prior to your appointment.

SEDATING THE PATIENT

Sedate only if necessary and if advised by the Aatending Veterinarian (after receiving owner permission).
if sedation or anesthesia is used, monitoring by a veterinary technician should be provided. T
he exam usually takes 20-30 minutes for a single cavity. Administration of any drugs and monitoring of the patient are the responsibilities of the requesting DVM.
Patient comfort and reduced anxiety with sedation administration, will give the best diagnostic yield and a faster examination. That’s why the Fear Free protocol is highly encouraged for every exam (anxiolytic administered orally at home, by the owner) which provides a nice calmer state in the patient without the possible need for further chemical restrain.
If FNA is requested, sedation or anesthesia are necessary.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A veterinary technician or assistant will be needed to hold the pet during the exam.
Because this is a mobile service and appointments may vary due to emergencies, cancellations, add-on cases, etc., it would be helpful if the pet is dropped off earlier than the scheduled appointment time. If there are cancellations, we will call to check if the appointment can be moved up. If you would like to add an appointment, adding on a patient is usually no problem but please call us beforehand to verify an additional appointment.
Owner attendance for any ultrasound exam is not permitted due to liability issues.