A full bladder provides a natural “acoustic window,” making it much easier to visualize not only the bladder itself, but also the surrounding structures such as the prostate, urethra, and portions of the ureters. If the bladder is empty, these areas may be difficult or impossible to evaluate. Please ask clients not to let their pet urinate for at least 2 hours prior to the scan. For patients with incontinence, do your best — we understand this isn’t always possible.
Why is there a price difference when sending images to Internal Medicine with X-rays versus Radiology with X-rays?
Answer
Internal Medicine specialists do not interpret X-rays. If images are sent to Internal Medicine, the ultrasound is reviewed by Internal Medicine while the X-rays must be submitted separately to Radiology, meaning two specialists and two departments are involved.
If everything is sent to Radiology, both the ultrasound and the X-rays are interpreted by the same specialist, within the same department, which reduces the cost.
Why, on the referral form, does it ask if I want to send my X-rays to Radiology when requesting an echocardiogram with X-rays?
Answer
Cardiologists focus on the heart structure and function. Their interpretation of X-rays is limited to cardiac size, shape, and changes directly related to the heart. Radiologists, on the other hand, evaluate the entire thorax, including the lungs, airways, vessels, pleural space, and other structures.
Choosing Radiology ensures a broader thoracic evaluation, whereas the Cardiologist’s comments will focus more specifically on the heart. Some clinics choose to have both specialists review, depending on the patient’s clinical presentation.
Why do you require our patients to be shaved prior to your arrival?
Answer
Shaving in advance helps us begin scanning right away, minimizing stress for the patient and avoiding delays. There are several important reasons:
- Reduced patient time on their back: Patients spend less time being positioned and restrained, which also reduces the risk of abdominal gas buildup.
- Improved image quality: Even five minutes of gas shifting in the stomach can obscure vital organs and compromise the diagnostic value of the abdominal ultrasound (as per IDEXX Radiologists).
- Sedation planning: Your team can decide in advance if sedation is needed and administer it without holding up the scan.
- Staffing needs: Shaving ahead of time allows your team to assess patient handling requirements and ensure enough trained staff are available. We generally recommend 1–2 qualified veterinary staff members per ultrasound. We understand staffing can sometimes be limited, but we ask that arrangements be made whenever possible.
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