Ultrasound
Ultrasound Imaging
Ultrasound is a non-invasive, state-of-the-art diagnostic tool that uses sound waves to safely and painlessly evaluate your pet’s internal organs, including the heart and abdominal structures.
This advanced imaging allows us to assess organ function and detect abnormalities in real time. In some cases, ultrasound-guided biopsies can be performed to aid in diagnosis—often eliminating the need for more invasive exploratory surgery.
We also offer pregnancy ultrasounds to monitor fetal development and confirm pregnancy, giving you valuable insight into your pet’s health and care needs.
How Ultrasound Works
Unlike X-rays, ultrasound uses sound waves rather than radiation to produce images. A small handheld device called a transducer is moved gently over your pet’s skin, sending sound waves into the body and reading the echoes that bounce back from internal structures. The result is a live, moving image on screen—similar to the ultrasounds you may have seen used in human medicine. There is no radiation involved, and the process is completely painless.
When Ultrasound Is Recommended
Ultrasound is particularly effective for evaluating soft tissue and fluid—areas where X-rays have limitations. We may recommend ultrasound when a pet is experiencing abdominal pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or unexplained weight loss. It’s also used to investigate suspected masses or tumors, assess fluid accumulation in the abdomen or chest, evaluate heart function, examine the kidneys and bladder, and guide biopsies when tissue sampling is needed. In some situations we use both ultrasound and digital X-rays together to get the most complete diagnostic picture.
For senior pets, ultrasound can be a valuable part of routine wellness screening—giving us a detailed look at organ health that physical examination alone can’t provide.
What to Expect
The area being scanned may need to be shaved or have the fur parted—sound waves don’t travel as clearly through a thick coat, so good skin contact matters. A small amount of gel is applied to help the transducer glide smoothly. The scan itself is gentle and most pets remain calm throughout, often without any sedation. If your pet is particularly anxious or if very precise imaging is needed, we may recommend mild sedation for their comfort.
Because our ultrasound equipment is on-site at Animal Medical Center, results are available immediately. In most cases, our veterinarian will review the findings with you before you leave and discuss next steps the same day.
Animal Medical Center offers on-site ultrasound imaging for dogs and cats in Foley, AL, serving pet owners throughout Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Elberta, and South Baldwin County. If your veterinarian has recommended an ultrasound—or if you have questions about your pet’s internal health—contact our team to schedule an appointment.
FAQ About Pet Ultrasound
Yes, ultrasound uses sound waves rather than radiation, making it one of the safest diagnostic imaging options available. There is no radiation exposure involved, and the procedure is non-invasive and completely painless. It can be used for pets of any age, including pregnant animals, without any radiation-related concerns.
Sometimes, but not always. The fur over the area being scanned may need to be shaved or parted so the transducer can make good contact with the skin—sound waves don’t travel as clearly through a thick coat. Our team will let you know ahead of time if shaving is likely to be needed for your pet’s specific scan.
Most pets don’t require sedation. The procedure is painless and most animals stay calm when positioned comfortably. However, if your pet is very anxious or if precise, still positioning is needed for a specific area, we may recommend light sedation to ensure accurate, clear images and keep your pet comfortable throughout.
Most ultrasound appointments take between 20 and 45 minutes depending on the areas being evaluated and what we’re looking for. Because we perform ultrasound on-site, results are available immediately and your veterinarian can discuss findings with you the same day.
X-rays use radiation to produce images and are best suited for evaluating bones and overall body structure. Ultrasound uses sound waves and is better suited for examining soft tissue organs, detecting fluid, and evaluating areas like the liver, kidneys, spleen, and heart. The two are complementary tools—in some cases both are used together for a complete diagnostic picture. Unlike X-rays, ultrasound produces real-time moving images rather than static ones.
Ultrasound can identify masses, abnormal tissue, and changes in organ size or texture that may indicate cancer, and it’s often one of the first tools used when a tumor is suspected. A definitive cancer diagnosis typically requires a biopsy—and ultrasound-guided biopsies allow us to collect tissue samples with precision, often without the need for exploratory surgery. This makes ultrasound a valuable tool both for detecting and for confirming suspected cancer in pets.