Ultrasound Services

At Birch Lane Veterinary Clinic, we use ultrasounds to diagnose your pet’s health issues in a safe, non-invasive way.

Ultrasound Services at Birch Lane Veterinary in Sarnia ON

Our specially trained veterinarian performs ultrasound scans of the abdomen and heart to assess your pet’s health. This service is available both for our own patients and by referral for clients of surrounding clinics. At Birch Lane Veterinary Clinic, we may use ultrasound alongside X-rays and other diagnostic tools to ensure an accurate assessment of your pet’s health.

Ultrasound Services

Ultrasound imaging is a safe, non-invasive technique that doesn’t involve radiation. At our Forest and Sarnia locations, Dr. Rachel Laird De Groot provides ultrasound services for both abdominal organs and heart structures.

During the procedure, a small amount of gel is applied to the skin, and a handheld transducer is gently moved across the area being examined. The sound waves create detailed images of organs and tissues, helping us assess both their structure and, in some cases, their function.

A vet using ultrasound machine to check dogs body

This diagnostic method is not painful, but your pet will need to remain relatively still to ensure accurate images. To help with this:

An oral sedative may be recommended before the appointment.
Most pets should be fasted for 12 hours prior (except water, which is encouraged).
A full bladder is recommended for the best results.
Pregnancy ultrasounds do not require sedation or fasting.
The fur in the area being examined will need to be shaved.

Interpreting ultrasound images requires advanced expertise. Our images are reviewed by a team of board-certified specialists, who provide detailed reports within hours to days depending on the case.

If you are referred from another clinic, the report will be sent directly to your regular veterinarian for follow-up.
Veterinary teams wishing to refer a patient can use our referral form here: Referral Form – Northern Oak Animal Hospital

If you have any questions about what to expect before or during your pet’s ultrasound, please don’t hesitate to ask — we’re here to help.