Pet Ultrasound

Veterinary team performs an ultrasound on a calm dog lying on a padded table

Lab work tells the doctor how organs are working. Ultrasound shows what they look like. Our Sugar Land clinic on Southwest Freeway has basic ultrasound on site, so the doctor can often look the same day the question comes up.

Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and many pets need little or no sedation.

Call (346) 436-6295 or book online.

When it's an emergency: Go straight to a 24-hour emergency hospital for a swollen belly with unproductive retching, collapse, pale gums, or labored breathing. We're open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, and we don't provide overnight care.

Why the Doctor Might Suggest Ultrasound

Lab work shows a liver or kidney value that's off
The doctor feels a lump or an enlarged organ in the belly
Vomiting or diarrhea keeps coming back
Fluid may be building up in the belly
An X-ray shows something the doctor needs to see in more detail

UC Davis's veterinary hospital explains that ultrasound shows organs like the liver, kidneys, spleen, and bladder in real time, without ionizing radiation, usually with minimal restraint or sedation.

Close-up of an ultrasound probe on a pet's shaved abdomen

When Ultrasound Isn't the Next Step

Ultrasound answers specific questions, so it rarely comes first. A pet with one bout of vomiting, mild itching, or a small limp usually needs an exam, and maybe lab work or an X-ray, before anyone talks about ultrasound.

A healthy senior with normal lab work and no symptoms doesn't need one just to be thorough. The doctor will tell you if it won't change the plan.

Owner and veterinary technician reviewing ultrasound images beside a beagle

What to Expect at the Visit

The doctor explains what they're looking for and gives you an estimate first. A small patch of fur is shaved, and gel goes on the skin so the probe gets a clear picture. Most pets lie on a padded table and tolerate it well; an anxious or painful pet may need light sedation.

The doctor talks you through what the images show and what they don't. If the scan raises a question basic ultrasound can't answer, the next step may be a referral.

“My cats are aging and have a multitude of issues. This office has addressed many of the issues and explained the diagnostics and helped address my questions.”
— Christine S., Petfolk client.

Owner gently checking her golden retriever's belly at home

When You Need More Than Basic Ultrasound

Our on-site ultrasound covers the common questions. Some cases need advanced imaging, a specialist's scan, or an ultrasound-guided biopsy. For those, the doctor can refer you to a specialty hospital in the Houston area, or to the Texas A&M Small Animal Teaching Hospital in College Station.

A referral isn't a dead end. The doctor will send your pet's records and explain what the specialist will look for, so the next visit starts where this one left off.

What Pet Ultrasound Costs

Ultrasound costs vary by case, so you'll see an estimate before the scan. What changes the total:

Which area the doctor needs to look at, and how long the scan takes
Whether your pet needs sedation
Lab work or X-rays done alongside the scan
The visit itself: a wellness exam is $99, or included with PetfolkCare; an urgent visit is $135, or $36 with PetfolkCare

Find Out What the Numbers Mean

If lab work or an exam raised a question, an ultrasound may answer it. Call (346) 436-6295 or book online to talk it through with the doctor.