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Veterinary Ultrasound

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3 Diagnostic Procedures Used By Vets

Pets are an important part of many people’s families. Therefore it’s only natural to feel nervous about your pet having to undergo a veterinary procedure--even when you know that it will help them. If your pet has an upcoming appointment, read on. This article will outline three diagnostic procedures commonly used by veterinarians.

1. Veterinary Ultrasound

Most people already have some familiarity with ultrasound. This is the technique that allows doctors to make images of unborn fetuses. Veterinary ultrasound uses much the same principle: high-frequency sound waves are sent through the animal’s body. This provides the vet with a “picture” of internal structures, allowing them to detect such things …show more content…

However, a vet will often choose to administer some sort of sedative to help calm aggressive or nervous animals. Then a portion of the animal’s coat is shaved, a special gel is spread on, and a piece of equipment known as a transducer is applied. The entire procedure takes only minutes to perform.

2. Exploratory Surgery

This diagnostic technique is often used as a follow-up to an ultrasound that yields any suspicious results. The goal of exploratory surgery is merely to allow the veterinarian to refine their diagnosis by taking a closer look inside the animal. The vet may then prescribe a course of medication, or, if necessary, schedule another surgery.

There’s no need to worry about exploratory surgery causing undue discomfort for your pet. They will be fully anesthetized prior to the surgery. In most cases, this procedure itself takes no more than thirty minutes, from start to finish.

3. Culture and Sensitivity

Just like the humans in your family, your pet is susceptible to a wide range of yeast and bacteria-based ailments. In order to correctly identify such issues, vets perform a test known as culture and sensitivity. This diagnostic tool allows the vet to determine both the cause of a particular problem, and the best medication to treat

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