What Can A Veterinary Ultrasound Diagnose In Cats?

13 July 2016
 Categories: , Blog


When you take your cat into the veterinarian, one of the last things you expect to hear is that your cat needs an ultrasound. We tend to think of ultrasounds as a procedure that only people go through in order to diagnose potential health threats. The truth is that cats can benefit from ultrasounds as well. They can help your veterinarian determine which health ailments your cat may be experiencing. 

Symptoms Indicating Your Cat May Need an Ultrasound

Your veterinarian may opt for an ultrasound if your cat experiences abdominal issues. These include vomiting and diarrhea. If you notice that your pet is urinating or defecating blood, an abdominal ultrasound may be in order to determine the cause, which could be something wrong with the liver, pancreas, or spleen.

If your cat has an irregular heartbeat or is overweight, your veterinarian may perform a cardiac ultrasound to determine if there is a problem with your pet's heart. 

Heart Conditions

Ultrasounds may be able to identify heart conditions that began as birth defects. Additionally, the veterinarian may be able to determine if your cat has a tumor in the chest or heart cavity that you may have never known about.

Size Changes

One of the best things about a veterinary ultrasound is that it helps the veterinarian determine if tissues and organs are changing size and shape. Over time, this can reveal significant changes in your pet's health.

Fluids

Veterinary ultrasounds may be able to identify fluid in the body that should not necessarily be there. The location of the fluid may help the veterinarian determine if something is wrong with the surrounding body parts, allowing them to pinpoint potential problem areas.

Pregnancy

Just as humans may use ultrasound to look at a developing fetus, veterinarians can too. In examining the fetal development of the cats, the vet can decide if the animals are healthy or if they will require special care.

Benefits of Feline Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a huge benefit for the veterinary community when it comes to cats. For instance, the non-invasive nature of the procedure makes it safe and easy to perform. No sedation is necessary for the cat, and there is no risk involved. It also allows the veterinarian to look for tumors and signs of cancer without performing a full biopsy. Pet owners appreciate knowing that their pet is not undergoing a stressful or risky procedure just to achieve a diagnosis.


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