What is a radiologist?
A radiologist is a veterinary doctor who has specific training via residency program in Radiology or diagnostic imaging.

What is a Veterinary Specialty Radiologist?
Veterinarians who have successfully completed a residency over several years, and have met the certification requirements of the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) are considered Diplomates. These requirements include intensive training under the supervision of current ACVR diplomates and passing a rigorous multi-day exam. Upon completion of this program, this veterinarian is truly considered a specialist in Radiology.

What is diagnostic imaging?
Diagnostic Imaging includes procedures such as radiography, ultrasonography, CT (CAT scan), MRI, fluoroscopy.

How can my pet get an ultrasound at VESCONE?
There are two ways your pet may have an ultrasound performed at VESCONE. The first is as a patient of the Internal Medicine or Emergency and Critical Care Department. Your local veterinarian may also request that an outpatient ultrasound be performed at our hospital. In this case your veterinarian faxes us the outpatient ultrasound information sheet (provided on the web site). You then bring your pet to the hospital for the ultrasound in the morning by 8:30AM and he will stay with us for a few hours. We will inform you when he is ready to go home as soon as the scan is completed. Your pet receives the ultrasound exam and the report is then faxed to your veterinarian. In this case you do not meet with the VESCONE doctor to discuss the ultrasound; your veterinarian will discuss the findings with you and will make any further recommendations.

Should my pet be allowed to eat prior to the ultrasound exam?
It is generally recommended that ultrasound patients be fasted (not eat) prior to the scan. However if your pet has a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes, please consult your veterinarian prior to fasting your pet. Ultrasound patients may be allowed free access to water.

Is there anything else I may want to know about the ultrasound procedure?
Yes, the exam takes approximately 30 minutes. The fur over the area to be scanned ie: the abdomen is shaved since the ultrasound beam doesn’t penetrate through the fur very well. Your pet will not be sedated. We have a special foam pad in which the animals usually lay comfortably and quietly.

What if my veterinarian recommends that a fine needle aspirate or biopsy needs to be done?
Procedures such as aspirates or biopsies are not done on an outpatient basis at VESCONE. If you pet needs to have an aspirate or biopsy performed in addition to the ultrasound please schedule consultation with our Internal Medicine Department to include ultrasound appointment. Procedure such as aspirates or biopsies may or may not be performed at the same time as the initial ultrasound depending on many factors such as the stability of the patient and schedule availability.

Will my pet need sedation for an aspirate or biopsy?
Sometimes, sedation is not needed, but if a procedure does require this, the Internal Medicine or Emergency and Critical Care Department will discuss with you to make sure we take good and safe care of your pet.