Ultrasounds are a non-invasive and generally painless procedure.  Most ultrasounds do not require anesthesia or sedation.  Ultrasounds can often be performed with gentle restraint and extra ear scratches and belly rubs.

Depending upon the nature of the problem, it may be prudent to obtain fine needle aspirates of organs, such as the liver.  When this is necessary, we use the ultrasound to guide the needle to the desired location.  This process is often required for an accurate diagnosis.

The ultrasound is one of many tools used to diagnose different medical conditions.  It can be used on different breeds and species.