Thyroid ultrasound in animals

To examine the thyroid gland, our veterinarians use a high-frequency linear transducer. The device will display on the monitor if new blood vessels have appeared or calcium salts have accumulated.

During an ultrasound, our professionals can detect all sorts of thyroid abnormalities, such as common ones like inflammation, neoplasia, and cysts.

When is a thyroid ultrasound necessary?

Ultrasound of the pet is performed to determine the parameters of the thyroid gland, as well as to check the condition of it, the adjacent vessels and lymph nodes. A pet will be prescribed an ultrasound if he:

• Is breathing too deeply or frequently.
• Loses weight with a complete diet.
• Refuses food, but there is no abnormality in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Gets sharply better.
• Drinks water frequently.
• Suffers from vomiting, diarrhea, or swelling in the neck area.
• Demonstrates apathy and moves little.
• Aggressive and hyperactive.
• Injured in the neck area.
• Has poor concentration.
• Has impaired thyroid function, as confirmed by blood lab values.

Veterinary Hospital Animal Clinic International is equipped with the latest facilities. Due to the modern technical capabilities and specialized knowledge of veterinarians, the animal will be correctly diagnosed during the examination.

Peculiarities of ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland in veterinary medicine

The pet does not need a prior starvation diet. In the examination room, the specialist will remove the hair on the front of the neck with a hair clipper.

If your pet is restless and aggressive, a sedative will be administered. The vet will lay the patient on his/her side or back, and then gently move his/her head backwards. An acoustic gel will be applied to the area to be examined, and a probe will be placed there to visualize the thyroid gland. The procedure at our Los Angeles veterinary clinic is humane and painless.