Diagnostic X-ray, Ultrasound and Echocardiogram
We carry the latest advances in technology to help diagnose the most difficult cases. Our imaging capabilities include digital x-ray and digital ultrasound equipment. These are painless, noninvasive methods to evaluate many common pet diseases.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to offer a non-invasive, painless and radiation free method of imaging your pet’s internal organs, heart and lungs.
Our Ultrasound allows us to evaluate the following:
- Cardiac ultrasound also known as echocardiogram: At Southern Crossing we can evaluate your pet’s heart and determine how well it is functioning. Our ultrasound allows us to diagnose the cause of heart murmurs, heart rhythm disturbances, screening for heart defects, fluid in the heart sac (pericardial effusion), cardiac tumors, hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs and cats, heart disease caused by heartworm infections and early heart disease in asymptomatic patients with breed predisposition to heart disease. With the proper diagnostic information, we can treat your pet with targeted therapy for their heart.
- Abdominal ultrasound: At Southern Crossing we can evaluate the vital organs of the abdomen (liver, gall bladder, spleen, kidneys, stomach, pancreas, intestines, etc), perform cancer screening, assess for abdominal fluid, evaluate for bladder tumors and bladder stones, diagnose reproductive diseases and perform pregnancy evaluations. While x-rays show an organs size and location, ultrasound reveals the architectural detail of the organs.
- FAST or Point of Care ultrasound: Fast ultrasound exams are an abbreviated exam of the abdomen or thoracic cavity and are used in emergency situations to evaluate the degree of internal trauma; in urgent care cases where blood work and x-rays are non-diagnostic and in patients with difficulty breathing.
- Ultrasound guided Cystocentesis: Ultrasound is used to guide the needle when a urine sample is gathered in dogs and cats.
- Ultrasound guided biopsies and cytologies: Ultrasound is used to guide a biopsy instrument (Tru-Cut) or a needle for cytology into the organ of concern. Biopsies and cytologies require sedation/anesthesia; however, the procedure is less invasive than surgical biopsies.
Our Digital Xray allows us to evaluate the following
- Organ enlargement
- Intestinal problems/obstructions
- Heart and lung disease
- Bladder disease (stones, masses)
- Cancer screening
- Osteoarthritis
- Fractured bones
- Spinal disease