How is the ultrasound performed?
For an abdominal exam your pet will lay on his or her back in a padded trough. Hair is shaved from the abdominal area. For a cardiac exam (echocardiogram) your pet will lay on a specially designed padded and elevated table with a hole in it that allows the sonographer to bring the transducer up under the patient. A strip of hair on either side of the breast bone is shaved. In both cases a water-soluble non-toxic gel similar to KY jelly is used on the skin to improve transducer contact.
The individual being examined is either seated comfortably in a chair, or lies on a stretcher. Depending on the area to be examined, it may be necessary for you to wear a gown or to assume a particular position, to allow access to the area of concern. A clear gel is applied to the area being examined. The ultrasound transducer is placed directly on the gel to produce images.
