Ultrasound uses very high frequency sound waves to produce images of internal body parts and other soft tissues in real time. It is the most widely used diagnostic tool in human medicine and is also commonly used at ASEH. The value of ultrasound is determined by the quality of the ultrasound unit and the capability of the ultrasonographer. The ASEH internal medicine specialists have had extensive training and years of experience in ultrasonography and use the most up to date technology.

Examples of applications of ultrasound at ASEH include:

1) Abdominal ultrasonography - Organs such as the liver and gall bladder, kidneys and urinary bladder, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, and adrenal glands are routinely evaluated. Ultrasound provides very useful information in diagnosing abdominal masses, liver and gall bladder disease, kidney disease, bladder stones, pancreatitis and diseases of the intestinal tract. Ultrasound may be also used to evaluate blood flow in the abdomen and identify a common congenital liver problem call a portosystemic shunt.

2) Cardiac ultrasonography (Echocardiography) - Ultrasound evaluation of the heart is very useful in diagnosing congenital heart defects and evaluating acquired heart disease such as mitral valve disease and cardiomyopathies (heart muscle disease). Echocardiography is commonly accepted as necessary to best evaluate heart murmurs that commonly develop in dogs and cats as they age.

3) Other soft tissues, such as thyroid glands, the chest cavity, and soft tissue masses are often ultrasounded to better evaluate for cancer and infection.