Abdominal | Cardiac | Thoracic | Thyroid | Pregnancy Check | Fine Needle Aspirates | Abdominocentesis | Pericardiocentesis
Abdominal Ultrasound
The Abdominal Ultrasound exam includes all organs, concentrating on 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.
If there is time, shaving prior to your appointment is appreciated. Shave from the subxiphoid to the bladder and to edge of the rib cage on both sides (similar to shaving for a spay). However, you are more than welcome to wait for us to arrive to shave if unsure of shave margins.
Preferably for 8-12 hours. This is to make sure all liver parenchyma can be imaged, as well as an empty gastrointestinal tract.
In order to be as time efficient as possible, please obtain the client’s consent for sedation and/or fine needle aspirates PRIOR to your appointment.
You may use your own consent form or we can provide one for you.
If there is time, shaving prior to your appointment is appreciated. However, you are more than welcome to wait for us to arrive to shave if unsure of shave margins.
Preferably for 8-12 hours. This is to make sure that proper imaging of the hepatic vasculature can be performed.
In order to be as time efficient as possible, please obtain client consent for sedation and/or fine needle aspirates PRIOR to your appointment. We are able to provide a list of cardiac safe sedation options, should they be required.
You may use your own consent form or we can provide one for you.
Before Your Appointment
Contact us at 289-808-2608 | info@thefocalzone.com
Please have our online patient form filled out and any pertinent lab work/radiographs sent to info@thefocalzone.com BEFORE our team arrives. Please obtain consent for possible sedation and/or FNA sampling at the time of patient drop off. Let us know if you need sample forms.
For Veterinarians 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 helps reduce anxiety for the patient, and relaxes the abdomen allowing for better images. Many times, patients with these medications on board do not require any heavier sedation.
For any questions on sedation, please reach out to us: info@thefocalzone.com
Fine Needle Aspiration
If needed, Kelly Reschny, RVT & Crystal Hill, RVT can perform ultrasound-guided needle aspirates, abdominocentesis or pericardiocentesis at the time of appointment.
Ultrasound-Guided FNA can be
performed at the time of ultrasound if safe for the patient, or as a follow up
procedure once the ultrasound has been interpreted, for higher clinical
relevance and a more guided approach.
All decisions to perform sampling procedures
are ultimately at the discretion of the attending veterinarian and
sonographer.
SonoPath specialists give their indications on what should be sampled for diagnostic effectiveness and how to safely sample with ultrasound guidance.