Radiology

Sophia, a fifteen year old, twelve pound cat managed to swallow a dime! Dr. Shah was able to do emergency surgery and get it out! 

Our in house X-ray machine helped us identify where in her body to look for the foreign object. Unfortunately, this cat is not the only pet that eats foreign objects. At Grand Oaks Pet Hospital, we perform emergency surgery to give your pet the best chance of survival. 

An ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive imaging tool that uses sound waves to create real-time pictures of your pet’s internal organs. It allows our veterinarians to look inside your pet’s body without surgery, helping us diagnose and monitor many health conditions.

Ultrasound can be used to evaluate the abdomen, liver, kidneys, bladder, spleen, and reproductive organs, and it’s also valuable for checking the heart (echocardiogram) and detecting fluid buildup or masses.

• To diagnose internal organ disease or injury
   
• To evaluate abnormal bloodwork results
   
• To investigate vomiting, weight loss, or loss of appetite
   
• To check for bladder stones, tumors, or fluid accumulation
   
• To monitor pregnancy or reproductive health
   
• To guide treatment or surgical planning
   

Ultrasound is gentle and painless. Most pets do not require sedation, though it may be recommended for anxious or active patients. A small area of fur is usually shaved to allow the ultrasound probe to make clear contact with the skin.

During the procedure, a veterinarian moves a handheld probe across your pet’s skin using a special gel. The images appear instantly on the screen, allowing for quick assessment and accurate diagnosis.

At Grand Oaks Pet Hospital, we use ultrasound technology to gain a deeper understanding of your pet’s health and provide precise, compassionate care.

An echocardiogram is a non-invasive cardiac ultrasound that uses sound waves to create real-time images of your pet’s heart. This advanced diagnostic tool helps identify and monitor heart conditions such as murmurs, cardiomyopathy, and valve disorders.
Your veterinarian may recommend an echocardiogram if your pet is showing symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or fainting.

• To diagnose heart conditions: We partner with a mobile cardiology unit that visits Grand Oaks Pet Hospital to perform echocardiograms. This allows us to accurately identify and evaluate conditions such as heart murmurs, valve disorders, and cardiomyopathy.
   
• To assess heart function: The procedure provides a real-time view of the heart’s chambers, walls, and valves, helping us determine how well your pet’s heart is pumping and whether blood flow is normal.
   
• To guide treatment: The results help our veterinarians create a personalized treatment plan and monitor how well your pet is responding to therapy.
   
• To track progress: For pets already diagnosed with heart disease, follow-up echocardiograms help us monitor progression and make necessary medication adjustments.
   

• Preparation: Most pets do not require sedation, though it may be used for anxious patients. A small area of hair on the chest may be shaved, or alcohol may be used to separate the hair for clearer imaging.
   
• During the procedure: Your pet will lie comfortably on their side while the veterinarian gently moves a handheld ultrasound probe over the chest using a water-based gel.
   
• Duration: Appointment length can vary depending on your pet’s needs, and in some cases, your pet may be dropped off for the day.
   

• Heart murmur
   
• Persistent or lingering cough
   
• Increased respiratory rate or difficulty breathing
   
• Lethargy or weakness
   
• Fainting or collapsing episodes
   
• Fluid buildup in the abdomen
   
• Loss of appetite