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A pet ultrasound uses harmless sound waves to show your pet's organs in real time, helping find the cause of vomiting, belly pain, heart concerns, and abnormal bloodwork. At Encino Pet Hospital & Emergency, ultrasound studies are read by a board-certified veterinary radiologist, and most pets need no anesthesia.
Ultrasound looks at the texture, size, and shape of soft organs, something X-rays can only hint at. It is painless, uses no radiation, and your veterinarian can watch the images live during the visit.
Every study is reviewed by a board-certified veterinary radiologist, so you get an expert second look along with your veterinarian's findings. Ultrasound often pairs with digital X-rays and lab work for the fullest picture.
Ultrasound is often the next step when a pet feels unwell and bloodwork or X-rays point to a problem inside the belly or chest.
It is one of the most useful tools for kidney disease, showing kidney size, structure, stones, or blockages. For pancreatitis, it can reveal an inflamed pancreas and changes around it. It also helps explain persistent vomiting or diarrhea, unexplained lethargy, weight loss, a new heart murmur, or a lump found during a senior wellness visit.
Some signs should not wait for a scheduled scan. Call us right away if your pet has repeated vomiting, a swollen or painful belly, pale gums, collapse, or labored breathing. We see same-day urgent cases and walk-ins during open hours. If it's after 7:30 PM and your pet can't wait until morning, head to the nearest 24-hour emergency hospital.
For an abdominal ultrasound, we usually ask that your pet fast beforehand, since food and gas in the stomach can block the view. We'll give you exact instructions, including whether water is okay, when you book.
A small patch of fur is shaved over the area being scanned so the probe makes good contact. Your pet rests on a padded table while our team gently holds them, and warm gel is applied. The scan itself is quiet and painless.
Most pets need no anesthesia at all. Some anxious or wiggly pets do better with light sedation, and if an aspirate is planned, sedation can keep them comfortable and still. We'll always explain what your pet needs before we start.
Ultrasound cost depends on the type of study, such as abdominal, thoracic, or an echocardiogram, plus any sedation or sampling. After an exam and assessment, we'll go over the plan and costs with you before the scan.
We care for pets from Encino and the wider San Fernando Valley, and plenty of families make the drive from Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, and Ventura. A quick call before you leave lets us confirm fasting, look over past lab results or images, and reserve time for the scan. Free parking is waiting behind the building on Ventura Blvd.
Call or book online and we'll get your pet scheduled, with same-day care for urgent cases during open hours.
Everything your pet needs, in one place in Encino.
