A pet ultrasound uses sound waves to show the inside of the belly or chest in real time, with no radiation, and vets use it to check the bladder, look for free fluid or collect a clean urine sample. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord is a vet clinic in Concord, North Carolina, that offers basic ultrasound for dogs and cats, alongside digital x-rays and an in-house lab.
The probe sends high-pitched sound into the body and listens for the echoes, and a computer turns them into a moving picture. Most pets lie still for it without sedation.
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What does a basic ultrasound show?
A basic scan at Petfolk Concord answers one focused question, and the most common one is where to guide a needle. From October 2025 to September 2026, 57% of ultrasound procedures at the clinic were ultrasound-guided urine collection, called cystocentesis, where a fine needle draws a clean sample straight from the bladder. Another 33% were FAST scans, quick checks of the belly or chest for free fluid.
A basic scan can also show whether the bladder is full, whether stones are in it, and whether there is fluid around the heart. Across Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics, 11% of sick visits for urinary problems included an ultrasound.
Where basic ends and advanced begins
An advanced study maps each organ in detail or looks closely at heart function. Petfolk's clinic page says every Petfolk care center offers basic ultrasound, and advanced ultrasound varies by location. Advanced studies are usually done by a board-certified veterinary radiologist or cardiologist, specialties recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. If the basic scan at Petfolk Concord raises a question it can't answer, the vet will explain your options for an advanced study elsewhere.
When does a vet recommend an ultrasound?
A Petfolk Concord vet usually recommends one after an exam, and often after x-rays or blood work. X-rays show shapes and outlines well, like bones, gas and swallowed objects. Ultrasound shows texture and fluid, so the two work together. Common reasons:
A swollen or tense belly.
Straining to urinate, or blood in the urine.
Vomiting or appetite loss that hasn't settled while x-rays and blood work leave questions.
A need for a clean urine sample for a culture or urinalysis.
If another vet already took x-rays, bring the images or ask for them to be sent ahead.
A skipped meal and a full bladder
Ask Petfolk Concord for prep instructions when you book, because they depend on what the vet needs to see. Mention the reason for the scan, especially if you're driving in from University City or the far side of Concord.
For a belly scan, your pet may need to skip a meal, since food and gas in the gut can block the view. For a bladder scan or urine sample, try not to let your dog empty its bladder right before the visit. A full bladder is easier to see and sample. Bring a list of recent symptoms with dates.
What happens on the table
Fear-free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, and your pet lies on a padded table while the vet moves the probe slowly and watches the images live.
Your pet lies on its back or side, supported with towels and soft hands rather than held down.
A small patch of fur may be clipped so the probe touches the skin, then a cool water-based gel goes on to help the sound travel.
A focused basic scan often takes only a few minutes. A team member stays near your pet's head, and the vet can pause if your pet needs a moment.
A very anxious or sore pet may need light sedation, which the vet talks through with you first.
When will I get ultrasound results?
You usually hear what the vet saw at the same visit, because the images appear live on the screen. If blood or urine samples were taken, the in-house lab can run many of those tests on site, and the blood work page explains them. The vet then lays out the plan, which might be medicine, a recheck, surgery or a referral for advanced imaging.
You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.
A swelling belly and pale gums go to a 24-hour hospital
A pale, weak pet with a swelling belly, or one that collapses after a fall or a car strike, needs a 24-hour emergency hospital right away rather than a scheduled scan. Petfolk Concord is open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord, 2425 Herrons Nest Pl NW, Suite 100, near Concord Mills, or see all veterinary services in Concord.
Ultrasound questions for dog and cat parents
Imaging visits on Herrons Nest Place NW