Veterinary ultrasound

The veterinary ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging test non-invasive and safe which allows real-time evaluation of the internal organs and soft tissues It is particularly useful for the study of the abdomen, urinary system, reproductive system and other internal processes.
At Benivet Benissa We perform veterinary ultrasound scans as part of the diagnostic process, integrating the results with the clinical examination and other complementary tests to obtain an accurate assessment adapted to each patient.

Benivet Benissa - Av. del País Valencià, 10, 03720 Benissa -
M-F 9:30-18:30 - S 10:00-13:00

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Veterinary ultrasound: technology at the service of animal health

The veterinary ultrasound is an advanced diagnostic imaging technique that allows a detailed look at your pet's internal organs. This procedure is non-invasive, painless and essential for detecting, assessing and monitoring a wide range of health problems in dogs, cats and other pets.

At Benivet BenissaWe use state-of-the-art equipment that allows us to offer a precise diagnosis adapted to the needs of each patient. This service is key within the internal medicine and of the veterinary check-upsIt facilitates the early detection of abnormalities and the planning of appropriate treatment.

Ultrasound is especially useful in cases of digestive diseases, renal and urinary disorders, liver and splenic control, cardiac problems, gestation and reproduction, or detection of internal masses. Thanks to its precision and speed, it allows our team of general medicine make informed decisions and act proactively.

Does your pet need an ultrasound? Ask us for an appointment!

Safe and accurate veterinary ultrasound scans in Benissa

At our veterinary clinic in Benissa we perform ultrasound scans in a comfortable and safe environment for your pet, without the need for sedation in most cases. The procedure includes minimal preparation, ultrasound scanning and a detailed clinical analysis of the images obtained.

After the study, our veterinarians interpret the results, explain each finding and advise you on the next steps. This personalised attention allows us to integrate the results of the ultrasound scan into veterinary surgery or more advanced medical treatment when necessary.

According to the Asociación de Veterinarios Españoles Especialistas en Pequeños Animales (AVEPA) (Association of Spanish Small Animal Veterinarians)Ultrasound is one of the most effective tools in modern veterinary medicine. At Benivet, we apply this technology with professionalism and empathy, guaranteeing fast, reliable diagnoses focused on animal welfare.

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When is veterinary ultrasound used?

Veterinary ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive test that allows the study of organs and soft tissues in real time.

Ultrasound for the study of internal organs

Ultrasound allows the condition and structure of various organs to be assessed without causing pain or discomfort to the pet.

  • Liver, kidneys, bladder and spleen

  • Digestive and urinary system

  • Detection of structural alterations

Ultrasound as diagnostic support

It is used when clinical examination or tests indicate the need for further assessment.

  • Abdominal pain or digestive disturbances

  • Changes in urination or suspicion of urinary pathology

  • Complement to blood or urine tests

Ultrasound for veterinary follow-up

Ultrasound is also useful for monitoring the evolution of certain pathologies or assessing the response to treatment.

  • Chronic disease management

  • Follow-up after treatment or surgery

  • Comparison of results over time

What does it mean if an abnormality is found on a veterinary ultrasound scan?

Ultrasound enables us to examine the size, shape, structure and movement of many internal organs. It can also detect fluid, inflammation, thickening, stones, masses and other changes that are not always visible during a physical examination.

However, an ultrasound finding does not always confirm a specific condition on its own. The results must be interpreted in conjunction with the symptoms, the veterinary examination and any other tests carried out on the patient.

Changes in the liver, spleen or pancreas

During an abdominal ultrasound scan, abnormalities in the size, shape or texture of these organs may be observed.

Depending on the findings, it may be necessary to assess:

  • Inflammation.

  • Age-related changes.

  • Metabolic disorders.

  • Lumps or masses.

  • Problems with the gallbladder or bile ducts.

  • Changes consistent with pancreatic disorders.

To interpret these images correctly, it may be advisable to carry out a blood tests and to monitor parameters relating to liver function, inflammation and general health.

The ultrasound findings help to pinpoint an abnormality, but do not always reveal its exact cause.

Changes in the stomach or bowel

Ultrasound can help to assess:

  • Thickening of the digestive tract wall.

  • Changes in the intestinal layers.

  • Bowel movements.

  • Presence of liquid or gas.

  • Possible foreign bodies.

  • Enlarged lumps or lymph nodes.

  • Changes consistent with inflammation.

In cases of vomiting, persistent diarrhoea, weight loss or loss of appetite, the results may be supplemented with stool tests or stool analysis, laboratory tests or other tests.

In cases of recurrent digestive problems or conditions affecting several organs, we coordinate the assessment through the department of veterinary internal medicine.

Changes in the kidneys and bladder

An ultrasound scan enables the structure of the kidneys, the thickness of the bladder wall and the presence of sediment, stones, dilations or masses to be assessed.

If your pet has blood in its urine, difficulty urinating, increased thirst or frequent urination, it may be necessary to supplement the imaging with a urinalysis and a blood test.

When a urinary abnormality is detected, the case may be referred to the veterinary urology.

If your dog or cat repeatedly tries to urinate but is unable to pass any urine, contact a veterinary practice as soon as possible.

Does a lump seen on an ultrasound scan mean it’s cancer?

Not necessarily. A lump, a nodule or a change in the structure of an organ can have various causes.

An ultrasound scan provides information on characteristics such as:

  • Location.

  • Size.

  • Form.

  • Relationship with other bodies.

  • Presence of liquid.

  • Number of injuries.

  • Possible changes in nearby lymph nodes.

These characteristics help to guide the diagnosis and to decide which tests are likely to provide the most information, but they do not usually, on their own, confirm whether a lesion is benign or malignant.

Where indicated, a sample may be obtained via an ultrasound-guided puncture or biopsy. Ultrasound allows the needle to be guided to the area requiring examination, although the suitability and safety of the procedure must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Analysis of the cells or tissue is what can provide the most specific information about the nature of the lesion.

The sample can be analysed by means of veterinary cytology or histopathological analysis.

If a tumour is suspected, follow-up can be arranged with veterinary oncology.

Is it always necessary to take a sample?

No. The decision depends on:

  • The type and location of the abnormality.

  • The patient’s general condition.

  • The risk of bleeding.

  • The information that the sample can provide.

  • The ability to access the injury safely.

  • If the result changes, the treatment will be adjusted.

  • The analyses and tests available.

In some cases, it is recommended that ultrasound scans be carried out to check whether the lesion changes over time. In others, it may be more appropriate to take a sample or to extend the investigation by means of a Veterinary CAT scan or to evaluate an intervention directly.

Can an ultrasound scan be used to plan an operation?

Yes. An ultrasound scan can help to determine where a lesion is located, how big it is and how it relates to nearby organs.

This information may be useful for:

  • Planning the removal of a mass.

  • To investigate an obstruction.

  • To assess any abnormality of the bladder or the reproductive system.

  • Locate any fluid or tissue samples that need to be analysed.

  • Decide whether further tests are needed before proceeding.

Where the findings may require surgery, the case can be coordinated with veterinary surgery or with the Soft Tissue Surgery Unit.

Having an ultrasound scan does not necessarily mean that your pet will need an operation. The results may also lead to medical treatment, follow-up or further tests.

What happens after you receive the results?

After the ultrasound scan, we will explain the following to you:

  • Which organs have been assessed?

  • What abnormalities have been found?

  • How might they be linked to the symptoms?

  • If further tests are required.

  • What treatments might be considered?

  • When should the test be repeated?

  • What changes you should look out for at home.

In patients with chronic conditions, follow-up ultrasound scans enable the progression of organ function to be monitored and the response to treatment to be assessed.

If the pet’s condition requires fluid therapy, intravenous medication or continuous monitoring, care can continue in our veterinary hospitalisation.

Second opinions and referred cases

If your pet has already had an ultrasound scan at another clinic, please bring the report, the original images and the results of any other tests.

Wherever possible, it is preferable to provide the full files rather than just screenshots. Comparing previous studies can help to assess progress and avoid unnecessary repetition.

Veterinary professionals can submit the documentation via the Case studies from Benivet Benissa.

Does your pet need an abdominal ultrasound scan, or would you like to review a previous scan? Book an appointment at Benivet Benissa or call +34 622 325 271.

Benivet Benissa
Av. del País Valencià, 10, 03720 Benissa, Alicante
Telephone: +34 622 325 271
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 18:30; Saturdays from 10:00 to 13:00.

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When is a veterinary ultrasound recommended and what other tests may be indicated?

The veterinary ultrasound is a non-invasive test that enables us to assess organs and soft tissues in real time (abdomen, bladder, kidneys, liver, spleen, intestine, uterus/prostate, among others). At Benivet Benissa we indicate it when there are signs compatible with internal disease or we need to refine a diagnosis after the examination. Depending on the case, we may recommend the following tests only when they provide useful information:

Veterinary practice in BenissaComplete examination and decision of the most appropriate test according to symptoms.

Blood teststo assess inflammation, liver/kidney function, metabolic alterations and to guide ultrasound interpretation.

Urinalysisespecially useful if there are urinary signs (blood in urine, painful urination, frequent urination) or suspected kidney/bladder problems.

Veterinary radiologyComplementary in some cases (chest, abdomen, suspected foreign bodies), as X-ray and ultrasound may be complementary tests.

Microscopy and cytologyif lesions or masses appear that require tissue/cell type orientation to decide the next step.

If the case is recurrent or needs global monitoring (chronic digestive, renal, endocrine, etc.), we coordinate the plan from veterinary internal medicine.

If your pet has repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, persistent diarrhoea, weight loss, blood in urine or suspected kidney/hepatic problem, request an appointment here or call +34 622 325 271.

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Frequently asked questions about our veterinary ultrasound service

The veterinary ultrasound allows real-time visualisation of internal organs such as liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, stomach, intestine, uterus or prostate. It is very useful for investigating persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, weight loss, abdominal enlargement, urinary problems, suspected tumours or reproductive disorders, among others.

For many abdominal ultrasound scans, it is recommended that the animal attends fasting for several hours and, if possible, with a moderately full bladder to better assess certain structures. When you make your appointment, at Benivet Benissa we will indicate the specific guidelines according to the type of study and the needs of your pet.

No. Ultrasound is a technique non-invasive and painless. The animal lies on a stretcher and conductive gel is applied to the area to be examined. In most cases, only if the area is very sensitive can the manipulation be somewhat uncomfortable, but care is taken to make the examination as quiet and quick as possible.

Normally sedation is not necessary for routine abdominal ultrasound. In some patients who are very nervous, painful or do not allow manipulation, mild sedation may be considered to obtain good quality images without causing stress. The decision is always made with the safety and welfare of the animal in mind.

The duration depends on the complexity of the study, but many ultrasound scans are completed in 15-30 minutes approximately. At Benivet Benissa we usually discuss the findings with the tutor during the same visit and, if necessary, we integrate them with other tests (analysis, X-ray) to define the next diagnostic or therapeutic step.

Ultrasound can be used to assess structure, size and texture of many internal organs without radiation and with dynamic imaging. It is ideal for studying free fluid, abdominal masses, changes in the bladder, kidneys, reproductive system or bowel. In many cases it complements X-rays and helps to decide whether additional tests such as CT or exploratory surgery are needed.

Do you have any doubts about care, treatment or prevention for your pet? Consult our section of Frequently Asked Questions where we solve the most common queries about dogs and cats.

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