Learn when CT or ultrasound is most effective in large and giant breed dogs, including limitations, case examples and practical guidance for SA vets.
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Learn when sedation helps, when it isn’t needed, and how it improves diagnostic accuracy during veterinary ultrasound for dogs and cats.
Learn when CT or ultrasound is most effective in large and giant breed dogs, including limitations, case examples and practical guidance for SA vets.
Hazel presented acutely unwell, quiet, nauseous, off her food, and vomiting. Bloodwork revealed a marked hepatopathy, accompanied by an inflammatory leukogram and elevated C-reactive protein.
Have questions? We’re here to support you. Below are answers to common queries about our veterinary ultrasound services.
Often yes. Mild sedation improves comfort and image quality, but quiet or critically unwell patients may not need it. Behaviour, stability and the clinical question all influence the decision.
In many cases, gentle sedation is a low-risk option that can help reduce stress. However, flat or unstable patients may be better scanned without the use of drugs. Clinical judgement and patient history guide the safest approach.
Sedation should be managed by the referring veterinarian, who is familiar with the patient’s background, comorbidities, and previous drug responses.
Aggressive, painful or highly anxious patients may need heavier sedation to ensure safe handling and achieve diagnostically meaningful images.
Yes. Agents that influence heart rate, contractility or vascular tone can distort cardiac assessment and should be avoided. Sedation protocols may need to be modified for echo studies.
It reduces movement, relaxes abdominal and thoracic muscles, improves probe contact, and allows for more precise measurements, leading to clearer and more reliable diagnostic results.
