Ultrasound technology uses sound waves that are above the range of human hearing. The sound waves are produced by a transducer located inside a probe that is pressed gently against the skin of the patient. These focused waves travel through the body and are reflected off different layers of tissue in the body, which produces an image for the ultrasonographer to see.

An abdominal ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure used to evaluate the internal organs. The size, shape, structure, tissue density, texture, contour and position of the organs is evaluated to assess for any abnormalities. The exam also can identify abdominal masses or tumours, abdominal fluid, and abnormal lymph nodes.

Ultrasound is an excellent diagnostic test and is non-invasive and painless. However, as with all tests it is neither 100 percent sensitive or specific.
Frequently abnormal tissue or fluid is sampled with a needle using the guidance of the ultrasound exam and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
In some cases, additional diagnostic procedures such as biopsy or exploratory surgery are indicated.

Echocardiography is the art of using ultrasound to view the structure and function of the heart in real time. The ultrasound beam is reflected from the tissues in the chest and heart and returns to the ultrasound probe to construct an image of the heart in motion. A variety of types of echocardiography are used to show the structure of the heart walls, chambers and valves (2 or 3-dimensional echocardiography), blood flow direction and velocity (Doppler echocardiography, including colour, pulsed and continuous wave). Petscan is equipped with a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine (Esaote My Lab Alpha) with multiple probes and all doppler capabilities. A lead 2 ECG is run continuously during the echocardiogram.

I perform 6 lead ECGs when appropriate. The electrocardiogram is the gold standard in arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) diagnosis and management.

Knowledge of your pet's blood pressure may affect drug dosage and administration as well as long-term management of select patients with cardiac disease.

Holter monitoring is a form of continuous ECG monitoring that is used in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of certain arrhythmias. Arrhythmias may present as excessively slow (bradyarrhythmias) or excessively fast (tachyarrhythmias) heart rhythms. Clinical signs may be variable and range from non-symptomatic patients to episodes of weakness or collapse. Many arrhythmias are intermittent and not able to be diagnosed based on short in-hospital ECG, and so a Holter monitor provides us a more accurate tool in diagnosing arrhythmias. Additionally, Holter monitors may be used in patients with known arrhythmias to monitor the effectiveness of arrhythmic control and to make adjustments to medical therapy as needed.