Ultrasonography
Diagnostic imaging procedure to visualize deep body tissues by recording ultrasonic
waves; use of ultrasonic waves for diagnosis or treatment; ultrasound.
Ultrasound Examination for Cats
This article is relevent
if your cat has been scheduled for an ultrasound examination.
The
purpose of this procedure is to aid in making a diagnosis of the disease which
has been causing your pet to be ill. What
is an ultrasound machine? An
ultrasound machine emits ultrasound waves that penetrate into your cat's organs.
They are reflected back into the hand-held probe that is placed on the skin. The
pattern of the reflected sound waves creates an image that is viewed on a screen. Is
radiation involved? No.
Unlike x-rays, radiation is not part of an ultrasound examination. What
types of disease are diagnosed with an ultrasound examination? The
ultrasound examination permits a detailed view of many of the body's organs. The
kidneys, for example, are seen on x-rays, but only their size and shape can be
determined. However, ultrasound permits your veterinarian to view the internal
structures of these, and other organs. An
ultrasound examination is especially helpful for diseases of the heart. It is
called an echocardiogram or an "echo." The heart's wall thicknesses
can be measured, and the size of its chambers can be determined. Motion can be
detected so that an assessment can be made of the ability of the heart to move
blood. The valves can be seen to determine if they are functioning properly. Some
specific diseases can be determined because they have a specific ultrasound appearance.
However, other diseases cause ultrasound findings that are not unique. What
is done in the latter instance? One
of the important features of an ultrasound examination is the ability to find
abnormal areas in organs. This permits precise biopsy of those areas. A biopsy
gives a pathologist a section of tissue that can be examined under the microscope
for more information. In many cases, the ultimate diagnosis is made by the pathologist. What
steps need to be taken to prepare for an ultrasound exam? No
special preparation is needed if the heart is to be studied. If
organs in the abdomen are to be studied, your cat should be withheld from food
for 12 hours. The urinary bladder is best visualized if it is full of urine. Therefore,
do not let your cat urinate within 3-6 hours of the study, if possible. Is
anesthesia required? If
your cat is cooperative, no anesthesia or sedation is needed to perform ultrasound
on the heart or the abdomen. However, if biopsies are to be taken, a short-acting
anesthetic will be needed to help prevent complications. Is
it necessary to shave hair? In
most cases, yes. It is imperative that the hand-held probe make complete contact
with the skin. Sometimes the hair can be moistened with alcohol, but most studies
require hair removal. What
organs cannot be studied with ultrasound? Air
is the enemy of ultrasound waves. Since the lungs are air-filled, they cannot
be studied. The exception is a mass that is located within the lungs. Bone also
stops ultrasound waves, so the brain and spinal cord are not seen with an ultrasound
study. Obviously, the bones are also not examined with ultrasound. 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 are sent to a veterinary
radiologist for further consultation. If this happens, the final report may not
be available for a few days.
...
Article courtesy the Nelson Animal
Hospital, Nelson BC Canada.
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