We are able to evaluate and photograph the progression of the healing process for animals with otic (ear), oral and nasal inflammatory processes. Owners are now able to be a more informed member of the therapy team. We invite our owners to become involved and see the healing process as it continues.

Our on-site, X-ray equipment provides high quality radiographs to aid in the diagnosis of many disorder. Standard chest and abdomen films, dye studies, orthopedic problems and OFA x-rays. Within minutes , we can have your pet’s x-rays taken, processed and ready for interpretation by our doctors. Consulting with a Board Certified Veterinary Radiologist is available at our animal hospital.

Ultrasonography is one of the newer imaging modalities at Rosecrans Pet Hospital. We offer this service as a safe and effective method for detailed evaluation of body systems. Our on-site ultrasound machine allows for a more detailed look into the body and at organ structures ( liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, intestines, bladder, uterus and ovaries) giving us a more complete diagnostic picture. Ultrasound technology help us diagnose your pet’s medical condition without the trauma of invasive exploratory surgery.

I have been told I can have my female dog scanned to see if she is pregnant. What does this involve?

An ultrasound examination, also known as ultrasonography or echosonography, is an imaging technique that allows internal body structures to be seen by recording echoes of ultrasonic waves. Unlike x-rays, which are potentially dangerous, ultrasound waves are considered to be entirely safe. Ultrasound equipment directs a narrow beam of high frequency sound waves into an area of interest. The sound waves may be transmitted through, reflected or absorbed by the tissue toward which they are pointed. As the beam strikes the interface or boundary between two tissues, some of the ultrasound waves are absorbed and others are reflected back. These reflected sound waves are converted into electrical impulses that are displayed on a monitor. This gives a 2-dimensional“picture” of the tissues under examination. The technique is invaluable for the examination of internal organs and was first used in veterinary medicine for pregnancy diagnosis. However, the technique is also extremely useful in evaluating heart conditions and identifying changes in abdominal organs. Ultrasonography is very useful in the diagnosis of cysts and cancers.

Does the technique have any drawbacks?

Ultrasound examinations are of little value in examining organs that contain air. Ultrasound waves will not pass through air and therefore it cannot be used to examine the lungs.

Are there different forms of ultrasound?

Depending on the images produced, ultrasound can take various forms. In veterinary work B-mode ultrasound is the most usual. This gives a two dimensional picture of the organ scanned. M-mode is also used. This is a type of B-mode in which the tracing of the motion of the object scanned is displayed. This is used mainly for the evaluation of heart function. Doppler ultrasound is a further advance in which measurement and a visual record are made of flow velocity in the vessels being scanned and again is useful in cardiology.

Are ultrasound scans available for evaluation of my dog’s heart problem?

More and more veterinary practices are becoming equipped with sophisticated ultrasound equipment that can undertake B-mode, M-mode and Doppler scans, which are ideal for evaluating your pet’s heart. Images can be frozen and then printed from the computer to provide a record of the examination. We at Rosecrans Pet Hospital refer these evaluations to the cardiologist (heart specialist) because of the specialized nature of this imaging procedure.