Prepare for Your Dog’s Ultrasound

How to Prepare for Your Dog’s Ultrasound

Ultrasound Appointment: What to Expect

An ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive way for us to look inside your pet’s body and assess their internal organs. Below is what to expect before, during, and after your visit.

Before Your Appointment

Fasting

Please withhold food for 12 hours before the appointment
Water can still be offered up to 1 - 2 hours prior to appointment (please check with the vet)

Calming Medication (if needed)

For ultrasound imaging, we typically use sedation to ensure we obtain the highest quality images. However, in some cases, we may recommend administering calming medication beforehand—either instead of, or alongside, sedation. This helps make the visit as relaxed and stress-free as possible for your little one. Dogs may be prescribed trazodone, gabapentin, or a combination.

How to give it:

Give 2–3 hours before your appointment
Administer with a small amount of food (e.g. Lick-e-Lix or pill putty) as it’s important your pet’s stomach is as empty as possible for the quality of ultrasound imaging
Effects usually last 6–12 hours

Because every pet is different:

Doses may be adjusted depending on your pet’s size, temperament, and medical history
Occasionally, a small top-up dose may be advised

We will always guide you clearly on dosing. Please contact us if you are unsure at any point.

What Happens During the Visit

To allow us to obtain the best possible images:

Your pet will be in a quiet, dimly lit room. Please choose a room with curtains and doors to prevent excess light where possible
Please ensure soft blankets are available to keep your pet warm and positioned comfortably
An area of fur will be clipped (usually on the chest or tummy, and sometimes a leg)
Ultrasound gel is applied to help the scanner make clear contact

Please ensure there is a safe space for the ultrasound machine and probes to be placed either on a table or on the floor.

Additional procedures that may be needed:

Placement of an IV catheter (if sedation is required)
Sedation
In some cases, we may collect samples (e.g. fluid or cells) for further testing

How to Prepare for Your Dog’s Ultrasound

Ultrasound Appointment: What to Expect

An ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive way for us to look inside your pet’s body and assess their internal organs. Below is what to expect before, during, and after your visit.

Before Your Appointment

Fasting

Please withhold food for 12 hours before the appointment

Water can still be offered up to 1 - 2 hours prior to appointment (please check with the vet)

Calming Medication (if needed)

How to give it:

Give 2–3 hours before your appointment

Administer with a small amount of food (e.g. Lick-e-Lix or pill putty) as it’s important your pet’s stomach is as empty as possible for the quality of ultrasound imaging

Effects usually last 6–12 hours

Because every pet is different:

Doses may be adjusted depending on your pet’s size, temperament, and medical history

Occasionally, a small top-up dose may be advised

We will always guide you clearly on dosing. Please contact us if you are unsure at any point.

What Happens During the Visit

To allow us to obtain the best possible images:

Your pet will be in a quiet, dimly lit room. Please choose a room with curtains and doors to prevent excess light where possible

Please ensure soft blankets are available to keep your pet warm and positioned comfortably

An area of fur will be clipped (usually on the chest or tummy, and sometimes a leg)

Ultrasound gel is applied to help the scanner make clear contact

Please ensure there is a safe space for the ultrasound machine and probes to be placed either on a table or on the floor.

Additional procedures that may be needed:

Placement of an IV catheter (if sedation is required)

Sedation

In some cases, we may collect samples (e.g. fluid or cells) for further testing

We will discuss all of this with you beforehand.

Insurance

If your pet is insured we are happy to help with insurance claims and paperwork

Our Aim

Our priority is to make the experience as safe, calm, and stress-free as possible for both you and your pet.

If you have any concerns or questions before the appointment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’re always here to help.

How to Prepare for Your Dog’s Ultrasound

Ultrasound Appointment: What to Expect

An ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive way for us to look inside your pet’s body and assess their internal organs. Below is what to expect before, during, and after your visit.

​

Before Your Appointment

Fasting

​

Please withhold food for 12 hours before the appointment

Water can still be offered up to 1 - 2 hours prior to appointment (please check with the vet)

​

Calming Medication (if needed)

​

How to give it:

​

Give 2–3 hours before your appointment

Administer with a small amount of food (e.g. Lick-e-Lix or pill putty) as it’s important your pet’s stomach is as empty as possible for the quality of ultrasound imaging

Effects usually last 6–12 hours

​

Because every pet is different:

​

Doses may be adjusted depending on your pet’s size, temperament, and medical history

Occasionally, a small top-up dose may be advised

We will always guide you clearly on dosing. Please contact us if you are unsure at any point.

​

What Happens During the Visit

​

To allow us to obtain the best possible images:

​

Your pet will be in a quiet, dimly lit room. Please choose a room with curtains and doors to prevent excess light where possible

Please ensure soft blankets are available to keep your pet warm and positioned comfortably

An area of fur will be clipped (usually on the chest or tummy, and sometimes a leg)

Ultrasound gel is applied to help the scanner make clear contact

​

Please ensure there is a safe space for the ultrasound machine and probes to be placed either on a table or on the floor.

​

Additional procedures that may be needed:

​

Placement of an IV catheter (if sedation is required)

Sedation

In some cases, we may collect samples (e.g. fluid or cells) for further testing

We will discuss all of this with you beforehand.

​

Insurance

​

If your pet is insured we are happy to help with insurance claims and paperwork

Our Aim

​

Our priority is to make the experience as safe, calm, and stress-free as possible for both you and your pet.

If you have any concerns or questions before the appointment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’re always here to help.