Ultrasound
Pet Ultrasound in Wichita, KS
Sometimes a physical exam and bloodwork can only tell us part of the story. Ultrasound gives us a real-time, painless look inside your pet — at the kidneys, liver, spleen, bladder, heart, and other soft tissue structures — without radiation, surgery, or general anesthesia in most cases. It’s one of the most valuable diagnostic tools in modern veterinary medicine.
At Skaer Veterinary Clinic, we offer pet ultrasound services for dogs and cats from Wichita, Derby, Bel Aire, Park City, Maize, Haysville, Schulte, and Oatville. Ultrasound works best alongside other tests — X-rays, bloodwork, urinalysis — to give us a full picture of what’s happening inside your pet, so we can move forward with the right plan with confidence.
Looking Inside Without the Discomfort
Sometimes a physical exam and blood tests aren’t enough to tell the whole story. An ultrasound lets us look directly at your pet’s internal organs — quickly, safely, and without any pain or discomfort to your pet.
Ultrasound uses sound waves (not radiation) to create real-time images of soft tissue structures inside the body. It gives us an incredibly valuable window into what’s happening inside your pet.
What an Ultrasound Can Show
We use ultrasound to evaluate a wide range of organs and structures, including:
- Kidneys — size, shape, and internal structure
- Liver and gallbladder — looking for masses, inflammation, or bile duct issues
- Spleen — checking for enlargement or abnormal growths
- Pancreas — particularly important for pets with vomiting or abdominal pain
- Bladder — finding bladder stones, thickening, or tumours
- Lymph nodes — checking for enlargement that can indicate infection or cancer
- Heart (echocardiogram) — evaluating heart function and structure
- Abdomen generally — looking for fluid, masses, or anything out of the ordinary
- Pregnancy confirmation and fetal monitoring
What to Expect During an Ultrasound Appointment
An ultrasound is a gentle, stress-free procedure. Your pet will typically have a small area of fur shaved to allow the transducer to make good contact with the skin. A gel is applied, and the transducer is moved gently over the area while we watch the images on screen.
Most pets tolerate ultrasound very well. It doesn’t hurt, it’s not loud, and it doesn’t involve any needles or injections. The whole process typically takes 30–60 minutes depending on what we’re evaluating.
Ultrasound Questions Answered
Does the ultrasound hurt?
Not at all. It’s completely painless and non-invasive.
Will my pet need to be sedated?
Most pets don’t need sedation. Occasionally, a very anxious or wiggly pet may need mild sedation to get clear images.
How do I prepare my pet for an abdominal ultrasound?
We ask that you withhold food for at least 4–6 hours beforehand. A full stomach can obscure the images. Water is generally fine.
How quickly will I get results?
We can often share our findings with you the same day, right after the procedure, but generally results are available within 72 hours.
Book an Ultrasound for Your Pet
We provide pet ultrasound services for dogs and cats from Wichita and nearby communities including Derby, Bel Aire, Park City, Maize, Haysville, Schulte, and Oatville. Call (316) 683-4641 to arrange a visit.