Ultrasound imaging is the technique of using high frequency sound waves to penetrate body tissues and produce a picture of the tissues inside a patient. This is the same principle that is used to produce under sea images using sonar. An ultrasound image is produced by measuring the time required for sound waves to leave and return to the ultrasound probe from various tissues in the body.  A computer in the ultrasound machine converts this information into an image on the monitor. 

We are able to use ultrasound to examine many organs that are poorly visualized by radiography and to observe the actual motions of certain organs, most particularly the heart.  Ultrasonography allows the operator to discover cysts and  tumors within organs such as kidneys, liver, spleen and urinary bladder, and to find abnormalities of other abdominal organs that might otherwise only be found by surgery or more expensive imaging modalities, such as CT or MRI scans.  Heart function and heart valve abnormailities may also be seen and measured using ultrasonography.

Our veterinarians are happy to  be able to provide these ultrasound services to our Saint Petersburg and Tampa Bay Area clients and their pets.

On the other hand, ultrasound is a poor choice for imaging bone or lung. High density structures such as bone, and very low density materials, such as air completely block ultrasound wave transmission. Fortunately these are the very areas in which radiographic images excel. As a result having access to both radiography and ultrasound gives the veterinarian a the ability to image almost all body areas well.