Veterinary Ultrasound
Advanced Veterinary Ultrasound & Diagnostic Imaging
A Clearer Picture of Your Pet's Health — Because Every Detail Matters
Advanced Ultrasound Technology at Premier Pet Care & Wilton Manors Animal Hospital
Same Day Pet Care . . . Peace of Mind
We will most likely get your pet in for care the same day up until 6 pm, and if not, the next day that follows.
At Premier Pet Care and Wilton Manors Animal Hospital, we believe that exceptional veterinary care begins with understanding what is happening inside your pet's body. Our advanced ultrasound services allow our veterinary team to examine internal organs, evaluate potential medical concerns, and gather valuable diagnostic information using safe, noninvasive imaging technology. We provide same day ultrasound services for Wellness Scans and Diagnostics.
Pet Ultrasound Now is centrally located in Fort Lauderdale and uses telemedicine to address a specific need heard repeatedly in the pet community - waiting for imaging services for pets. When your treating or veterinarian says to you that they suspect a mass or foreign body might be present in your pet, you do not want to wait days, weeks or months to get the news. Pet parents are often scheduled for an ultrasound several days out or sent to an emergency facility for care unless the treating veterinarian has an ultrasound and skilled technicians on premises. The same is true for cardiac workups when the treating veterinarian notices a heart murmur or other abnormality and wants to further investigate the condition and refers you to veterinary cardiologists that often have waiting times for months to see patients.
The same technology can be used for pet pregnancy or wellness scans. If you want to know about your pet's pregnancy, you can get quick news on that as well. Additionally, following the trend in human medicine, pets can now have wellness scans for preventive medicine to identify areas of concern for your pet's internal health at early and treatable stages.
Pet Ultrasound Now utilizes highly skilled ultrasound, radiograph and ECG technicians and state of the art telemedicine to deliver results usually within several hours. A radiologist or cardiologist reviews the images sent to them along with the pet's history and issues a written report with medical findings and recommendations for the pet. These results can be provided directly to the pet parent and used in the manner they see fit along with the expertise of their treating veterinarian.
We proudly offer two types of diagnostic ultrasound services at both of our veterinary hospitals:
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Comprehensive Diagnostic Ultrasounds — Detailed examinations with images submitted for interpretation by a veterinary radiologist.Focused
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FAST Scans — Targeted ultrasound examinations designed to quickly evaluate specific concerns, with a focused diagnostic assessment and report.
Whether your pet is experiencing unexplained symptoms, requires further diagnostic testing, or needs an urgent medical evaluation, our ultrasound services help our veterinarians make informed decisions about your pet's health.
What Is Veterinary Ultrasound?
Advanced Imaging. Gentle Care. Valuable Answers.
Veterinary ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of your pet's internal organs, tissues, and structures. Unlike traditional X-rays, which are especially useful for evaluating bones and certain changes in the chest and abdomen, ultrasound provides detailed views of many soft tissues and internal organs. This technology allows veterinarians to evaluate the appearance, size, shape, and structure of internal organs and identify abnormalities that may not be apparent during a physical examination.
Veterinary ultrasound can help evaluate:
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Liver and gallbladder
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Kidneys and urinary bladder
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Spleen
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Stomach and intestinal tract
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Pancreas
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Adrenal glands
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Reproductive organs
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Abdominal lymph nodes
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Abdominal fluid accumulation
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Certain masses, cysts, and other abnormalities
Ultrasound can also be used to guide certain diagnostic procedures, such as obtaining fluid samples or collecting tissue samples when medically appropriate. Because ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation, it is a valuable imaging option for many pets, including those requiring repeated examinations.
Why Is Ultrasound So Important for Your Pet?
Sometimes the Most Important Answers Are the Ones We Cannot See. Pets cannot tell us exactly where they hurt or explain how they feel. Symptoms such as vomiting, decreased appetite, weight loss, lethargy, or abdominal discomfort can be associated with many different medical conditions. Ultrasound helps veterinarians look beyond the symptoms to investigate what may be happening internally.
Early Detection of Potential Health Problems
Ultrasound may identify structural changes or abnormalities before certain conditions become more advanced, allowing veterinarians to recommend appropriate additional testing, monitoring, or treatment.
A Noninvasive Diagnostic Option
Ultrasound uses sound waves rather than radiation and generally does not require surgery or other invasive procedures to obtain images.
Real-Time Imaging
Unlike a still image, ultrasound allows veterinarians to observe certain internal structures and movement in real time.
More Informed Treatment Decisions
Ultrasound findings, combined with bloodwork, physical examinations, X-rays, and other diagnostic testing, help veterinarians develop individualized treatment plans.
Monitoring Existing Medical Conditions
For pets with certain chronic illnesses or previously identified abnormalities, repeat ultrasound examinations can help monitor changes over time and evaluate response to treatment.
Signs Your Pet May Benefit From an Ultrasound
Your veterinarian may recommend an ultrasound if your dog or cat is experiencing:
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Persistent or recurring vomiting
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Chronic diarrhea
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Unexplained weight loss
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Decreased appetite
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Abdominal pain or bloating
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Changes in urination
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Blood in the urine
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Abnormal liver or kidney bloodwork
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Unexplained lethargy
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Suspected internal masses
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Abdominal fluid accumulation
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Unexplained changes in organ size or appearance on X-rays
Some pets may also benefit from ultrasound examinations even when they are not displaying obvious symptoms, particularly when abnormalities are discovered during routine wellness testing.
If your pet suddenly collapses, develops a severely distended abdomen, has difficulty breathing, or experiences significant trauma, seek immediate veterinary attention.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Ultrasounds
An In-Depth Examination for a More Complete Understanding
When your pet needs a detailed evaluation of the abdominal organs, our comprehensive diagnostic ultrasound service provides an extensive examination designed to investigate potential medical concerns. During a comprehensive abdominal ultrasound, our veterinary team obtains detailed images of the abdominal organs, evaluating their size, shape, appearance, and internal structures. These images are then submitted to a veterinary radiologist for professional interpretation and a comprehensive diagnostic report.
The radiologist reviews the images, identifies notable findings, and provides an interpretation that helps your veterinarian determine the most appropriate next steps for your pet.
What Can a Comprehensive Ultrasound Detect?
A comprehensive ultrasound may help identify or evaluate:
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Liver disease: Changes in liver appearance, enlargement, masses, and other abnormalities.
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Kidney conditions: Structural changes, cysts, stones, masses, and evidence of urinary obstruction.
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Bladder abnormalities: Bladder stones, wall thickening, masses, and other urinary tract concerns.
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Gastrointestinal disorders: Abnormal intestinal wall thickness, inflammation, suspected obstruction, and certain masses.
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Pancreatic conditions: Changes that may be associated with pancreatitis or other pancreatic disorders.
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Splenic abnormalities: Enlargement, nodules, masses, and structural changes.
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Abdominal masses: Suspicious growths or abnormalities requiring further investigation.
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Internal fluid accumulation: Fluid within the abdominal cavity that may indicate an underlying medical condition.
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Reproductive concerns: Certain abnormalities involving the uterus, ovaries, or prostate.
Although ultrasound provides valuable diagnostic information, additional testing may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis.
Why Choose a Comprehensive Ultrasound?
A comprehensive ultrasound is particularly beneficial when your pet has ongoing or unexplained symptoms, abnormal bloodwork, suspected organ disease, or a condition requiring detailed investigation. The combination of detailed imaging and veterinary radiologist interpretation provides valuable information to support a thorough diagnostic evaluation.
Focused FAST Ultrasound Scans
Quick, Targeted Imaging When Every Moment Matters
Not every medical situation requires a complete abdominal ultrasound examination. At Premier Pet Care and Wilton Manors Animal Hospital, we also offer FAST ultrasound scans, which provide a focused evaluation of specific areas of concern. FAST stands for Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma. In veterinary medicine, related focused ultrasound techniques may also be used to evaluate patients experiencing other urgent medical conditions. These scans are designed to answer specific clinical questions efficiently, particularly when veterinarians need to evaluate a patient for potential internal fluid accumulation or other targeted findings.
When Might a FAST Scan Be Recommended?
A veterinarian may recommend a focused ultrasound examination for pets experiencing:
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Trauma or injury
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Suspected internal bleeding
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Sudden abdominal swelling
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Unexplained weakness or collapse
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Certain emergency medical conditions
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Suspected abdominal fluid accumulation
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Conditions requiring repeated monitoring of internal fluid
What Is Included in Our FAST Scan Service?
Our focused FAST ultrasound service includes targeted imaging and a diagnostic assessment of the areas examined.
The findings are documented in a focused ultrasound report, helping our veterinarians determine whether additional testing, monitoring, or treatment may be necessary. Important: A FAST scan is not the same as a comprehensive abdominal ultrasound. It is designed to answer specific diagnostic questions and does not evaluate every abdominal organ in the same level of detail. When a more extensive examination is needed, our veterinarians may recommend a comprehensive ultrasound with veterinary radiologist interpretation.
Comprehensive Ultrasound vs. FAST Scan
Two Valuable Diagnostic Services. One Commitment to Exceptional Care.
Comprehensive Ultrasound| Focused FAST Scan
Detailed examination of abdominal organs| Targeted examination of specific areas
Broad assessment of organ structure| Focused assessment of urgent or specific concerns
Images submitted to a veterinary radiologist| Focused diagnostic assessment and report
Helpful for investigating ongoing illness and abnormal findings| Helpful for urgent evaluations and monitoring
More extensive examination| Typically shorter examination
Both ultrasound services play an important role in veterinary medicine.
Our veterinary team will recommend the most appropriate examination based on your pet's symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic needs.
Contact Us
Address
Premier Pet Care
1301 NE 7th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Contact
954-900-9041
954-541-2550
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri
8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday
Closed
Wilton Manors Animal Hospital
2201 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305