Ultrasound
At Kindness Animal Hospital, we offer both abdominal and cardiac (heart) ultrasound services. Ultrasound is a wonderful technique that allows a completely safe and non-invasive method of visualizing the interior of the body. Unlike conventional X-rays which can cause harm if used excessively, recent evidence shows that ultrasound is completely free from these side-effects. In addition, ultrasound allows the doctor to achieve a depth of detail that is not possible with X-rays.
Our doctors are able to send images to specialists around the world instantly, thus allowing us to better diagnose and serve our clients. In addition to our enhanced equipment, our doctors have invested heavily in continued and advanced ultrasound training, and have attended continuing education courses devoted specifically to improving our ultrasound abilities. Not only is it important to have modern technology, it is also important to have a well-trained operator and staff.
Abdominal Ultrasound
 | Abdominal ultrasound allows the user to fully examine the liver, gallbladder, spleen, adrenal glands, pancreas, kidneys, urinary bladder, and parts of the stomach and intestines. Ultrasound examination of these organs is crucial when a diagnosis depends upon seeing inside an organ, or when surgery or anesthesia would not be desirable. Abdominal ultrasound is completely painless, and generally can be performed using no anesthesia or sedation. When abnormalities are found during ultrasound examination, a "fine needle biopsy" can often be performed without risk or harm to the animal. Abdominal ultrasound has revolutionized the study liver diseases, and is crucial to treating many types of cancer. |
Cardiac Ultrasound
| As in people, animals suffer from a wide variety of
congenital (birth defect) and acquired heart diseases. The heart is a very
complex organ. It has four valves, an electrical conduction system, and four
chambers, all of which are crucial to its function. In order to correctly
diagnose and treat heart disease, it is absolutely necessary to see inside
the heart, as well as to visualize the movement of the chambers, and to look
at the valves in motion. This is the area where ultrasound really shines.
Using ultrasound beams, it is possible to actually watch the heart in motion
from the inside, and to measure each of its parts. Ultrasound also allows us
to measure the actual physical effects of various heart medications, and to
carefully adjust dosages to improve how the heart is functioning. |