The value of ultrasound in our animal diagnostic lab in Lakewood, CA

When a pet is not feeling well or is in pain, they cannot communicate what is wrong. In fact, pets often hide such vulnerability until it has progressed to a serious state. If you sense that your pet is "off," you may follow a few exploratory steps, such as checking their food or checking their living areas for signs of a suspicious object or substance. If you visit Bloomfield Animal Hospital, we may want to perform an ultrasound as well as diagnostic lab work to uncover important clues to your pet's health. If you are in the Lakewood, CA area, please do not hesitate to call us to discuss symptoms your pet is exhibiting.

The purpose of ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging differs from x-rays. Essentially, the purpose of this diagnostic test is to observe certain internal organs and areas without invasive procedures. This observation is made possible through sound waves that echo off structures they hit, producing a three-dimensional picture that may show unusual characteristics on the surface, or inside of the organs observed. The process is painless for pets, and incredibly valuable for us. Areas that can be observed with ultrasound include the:

• Heart and chest
• Abdomen

The data that is collected from the ultrasound testing is used to help us determine the most appropriate form of care. This internal analysis can enable us to confirm or rule out the need for biopsies, surgery, and specific lab work. An additional circumstance in which ultrasound may be used is in surgical planning.

Reasons that we may suggest an abdominal ultrasound include:

• To observe a mass that was felt during manual exam
• There seems to be fluid in the abdomen
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss has occurred
• Lab work has identified some type of abnormality
• Vomiting or diarrhea persists

Residents from the Lakewood area have trusted Bloomfield Animal Hospital to deliver consistent, quality care for more than three decades. Our team of physicians, assistants, and staff acknowledge the important role of pets within the family dynamic. As such, we act quickly to address issues so your pet can resume an optimal quality of life.

Learn more about important diagnostic tests at (562) 383-7788.