Pet Ultrasound in Lakewood, Dallas, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lakewood is a vet in Lakewood, East Dallas, that uses ultrasound to look inside your dog or cat in real time. It's a focused tool. The vet uses it to answer a clear question, like "is there a stone in the bladder?" or "is there fluid in the belly?"

Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and most pets lie calmly through it.

Call (682) 339-7822 or book online.

What is pet ultrasound used for at Petfolk Lakewood?

The most common use is a simple one: collecting urine straight from the bladder. Across Petfolk, nearly three in four ultrasound procedures (73%) were for this between Oct 1, 2025 and Sep 30, 2026. The vet uses the screen to guide a thin needle into the bladder. The sample is clean, so a urine culture gives a true answer about infection.

Other common uses:

• Checking the bladder for stones or thickening

• A quick scan of the belly or chest for free fluid after an injury

• A closer look at an organ that looked odd on an x-ray

About 1 in 8 ultrasounds across Petfolk (12%) in the same window was a focused scan of the belly or chest like this.

How is ultrasound different from an x-ray?

An x-ray takes a still picture and is great for bones, the chest and swallowed objects. Ultrasound is a live view of soft organs, so the vet can see texture, fluid and movement. The two often work together. See pet x-rays in Lakewood and the overview of pet diagnostic imaging in Lakewood.

Clinic ultrasound is for focused questions. If your pet needs a full abdominal study by a specialist, the vet will tell you and help you book it.

Everything was explained really well to me and I left with a clear understanding of the plan for my dog.

Lauren R., Google review

Does it hurt?

No. Your pet lies on a soft, padded table, often on their back or side. The team may clip a small patch of fur so the probe touches skin, then uses a warm gel. Most pets relax with treats and a gentle hand. Fear Free handling is how every Petfolk clinic works. A urine sample with a fine needle feels like a quick pinch, much like a vaccine.

What should I do before an ultrasound?

• Ask if your pet should skip breakfast. Gas and food in the stomach can block the view.

• For a bladder sample, try to keep your pet from peeing for an hour or two before the visit. A full bladder is easier to sample.

• Bring a list of signs, like straining, blood in the urine or a change in thirst.

Planning for the cost

You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit, for example if the scan shows a stone and the vet suggests an x-ray to count them. The clinic takes major cards, Apple Pay and CareCredit financing, and gives detailed invoices for pet insurance.

What happens with the results

The vet tells you what they saw on the screen before you leave. A urine sample from the bladder goes to the lab. A basic urinalysis can often run in the clinic, while a culture to grow bacteria goes out and takes a few days. If the scan shows something that needs a closer look, the vet explains your options in plain words. That might mean medicine, a special diet, a recheck scan or a visit to a specialist. You get a written plan and a clear idea of what comes next.

Cats and the litter box

A male cat who keeps going to the litter box and passes little or nothing may have a blocked bladder. That can't wait for a routine visit. Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if he is straining with no urine, crying or vomiting. In Lower Greenville, Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) at 4500 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206, is open 24 hours.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lakewood, or see all veterinary services in Lakewood.