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If your dog has broken a paw, ate something he shouldn't or if you want to monitor his pregnancy, your pet will need an ultrasound. Don't be scared, it's something normal that can happen to anyone. For this reason, below you can find all the information you need to know for the process of ultrasound for dogs be a safe procedure.
How does an ultrasound work?
The ultrasound is a imaging system through ultrasound echoes directed at a body or object. It consists of high-frequency sound waves that are directed to the study body and, upon receiving a large sound wave, emit an echo. Through the transducer, information is collected and converted by the computer into an image defined on the screen. In order for it to work correctly, a gel that facilitates the transmission of waves is placed on the skin.
It is an easy and non-invasive procedure. There is no radiation whatsoever, just an ultrasound. However, while all experts agree that it is a safe procedure, ultrasounding a fetus too often it may have mild side effects such as decreased weight of the offspring, a delay in the development of some abilities.
Ultrasound for Fractures and Other Problems
Whether it's because of breaking a bone or having ingested a specific object, the reasons why your puppy needs to undergo ultrasound are very varied. The veterinarian advises this method of analysis to ensure and confirm a diagnosis.
You should not save when taking care of your pet's health. In addition, the procedure may expose problems that have not been identified until now, such as urinary problems, possible tumors, or a surprise pregnancy.
ultrasounds in pregnancy
If you are trying to get your dog pregnant, you need to be patient. Pregnancy can be detected manually 21 days after mating, which should be always done by an expert, your veterinarian. Sometimes it is more difficult to identify the pregnancy in certain races and, therefore, it is necessary to resort to a ultrasound.
During pregnancy, the veterinarian advises that two ultrasounds be performed:
- The first ultrasound: It is performed between 21 and 25 days after mating, and the longer you wait, the more accurate the result. It is recommended that the patient has a full bladder at the time of the ultrasound.
- The second ultrasound: The second test is only performed after the dog's 55 days of gestation. There is no risk of damage to the dogs and it will be possible to identify how many are on the way, as well as their position.
It is true that, with this method, there is a tendency to overestimate small litters and underestimate large litters. It's not 100% accurate. For this reason, many experts that until the end of pregnancy the dog is subjected to radiology to check the exact state and quantify the offspring when they are already stronger. Remember that this test is a little harmful to your pet's health. However, the veterinarian will advise whether or not it should be done for the safety of delivery.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.