Average Cost of Ultrasound for Dogs

Just like with humans, Dogs may need an ultrasound for a health check up or a diagnosis. An ultrasound can be used for dogs to diagnose a number of issues with their internal organs, and it can also be used to check on a pet’s pregnancy. An ultrasound is performed via the use of a machine that emits ultrasonic frequencies through a hand-held probe. This sound can then produce an image of the dog’s internal structures that would not have been possible from outside the body.

Purposes of Ultrasound in Veterinary Medicine

An ultrasound is most often used to get an accurate image of diseased organs in a way that can avoid the need for surgery. There are a large number of reasons why an ultrasound may be recommended for your dog by your veterinarian. A few examples include:

• Examination of a fetus to assess its development and viability
• Visualization where an organ disease may be suspected
• Guidance for surgery.

The main benefit of an ultrasound is that it can provide increased accuracy and clarity when attempting to diagnose an internal ailment. This, in turn, will allow the veterinarian to custom-tailor a treatment plan for your dog depending on their specific needs and any potential complications that may be brought to light. In some cases, ultrasounds have even been used to circumvent the need for a biopsy or other invasive diagnostic procedures, which can save you money and save your dog from unneeded discomfort.

Types of Ultrasound and Associated Costs

There are a number of different types of ultrasounds available for veterinary purposes, and each of them has its unique advantages, specializations, and costs. Understanding the differences between them can help you better understand what your dog is going through. Understanding the difference can also help you get a better idea of the financial impact that it may have down the line.

Abdominal Ultrasound

An abdominal ultrasound (also sometimes known as a sonogram) is a tool often used by veterinarians to take a detailed look at the functionality and efficiency of your dog’s internal organs and to make sure that everything is running smoothly. Ultrasounds like these are capable of imaging the liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, reproductive system, stomach, pancreas, intestines, and more.

An abdominal ultrasound may be recommended by your veterinarian if your dog is in a variety of circumstances. For example, if your pet’s lab results have come back and show that they have an elevated liver value, they may want to get a better visual of the liver to see whether or not any abnormalities are present. Typically, the price of abdominal ultrasound for a dog may range from $300 to $500, depending on a number of factors.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram for a dog uses sound waves that are beyond the pitch of human perception to form a more accurate picture of the dog’s heat in real-time. An echocardiogram, or heart ultrasound, can be used not only to look at the heart itself but also to see inside it and around it as needed.

If your pet was recently diagnosed with a heart murmur or may have a heart condition that puts them at risk, the veterinarian may recommend an echocardiogram to get a better assessment of the situation. This may follow concerning results on an X-ray or if your dog has displayed clinical signs such as coughing, shortness of breath, or fainting. In most cases, an echocardiogram will be the cheapest type of ultrasound, typically only ranging from $250 to $350.

Pregnancy Ultrasound

Modern veterinarians are able to perform ultrasounds on pregnant dogs as soon as 25 days after breeding has occurred. This type of ultrasound is specialized to be safe for the fetus and uses the same delicate technology as a sonogram would during human pregnancies. An ultrasound is seen by many as the gold standard for assessing fetal viability and detecting pregnancies in dogs, as they are often the most accurate test available. In most cases, the price of a sonogram specifically to confirm or monitor a pregnancy will cost between $300 and $600.

Other Specialized Ultrasounds

In rare cases, a more specialized type of ultrasound may be recommended for unique uses. One instance in which this may be recommended is if the dog’s eyes need to be examined for tumors or other obstructions and other non-invasive examination methods are not viable for the particular pet in question. Depending on a number of factors, mainly the type of ultrasound being performed, the price of a specialized veterinary ultrasound can range from $350 to $1,000.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Ultrasound

Complexity of the Procedure

There are several potential factors that can influence the final cost of an ultrasound procedure being performed on your dog. To start with, most veterinary facilities will charge more for complex procedures than they would for a run-of-the-mill ultrasound.

A more complex procedure may require more time and more detailed imaging, as well as potentially an expert to assess the imaging. In this case, the cost of the procedure would go up as the veterinarian would need to be paid more for their services.

Type of Veterinary Practice

The type of veterinary practice that you go to is also a major influential factor that goes into determining the price of the procedure. Some practices may charge more than others, depending on things such as the qualifications of the staff involved, the amount it costs them to perform the procedure, and much more.

Supply and demand also come into play when determining how much the veterinary practice may charge for the procedure, as places like an emergency hospital will be able to charge more due to the urgency of the procedure. In addition, specialty clinics typically have higher-grade equipment and better-trained staff, so they will typically charge more than a general practice veterinarian.

Geographic Location

The geographic location of the veterinary facility that you take your dog to for their ultrasound may also impact the final cost of the procedure in two main ways. Firstly, regions with a higher cost of living tend to impose higher taxes and fees on the veterinary facility itself, which in turn causes them to charge more for their practices.

Additional Diagnostic Procedures

Lastly, the overall price that you will be required to pay will increase if any additional diagnostic procedures or veterinary services are required. In some cases, an ultrasound is used to guide a surgical procedure so that it can be performed more accurately and the surgeon can avoid any veins or delicate tissue. In this scenario, the price of the surgical procedure would be added to that of the ultrasound, greatly increasing the final price that the pet owner would have to pay.

Average Costs Breakdown

While the estimated price of an ultrasound will vary depending on the factors listed above, the general price range for specific types of ultrasounds can be estimated, allowing pet owners to have a rough idea of the money they need to set aside for the procedure. In general, an abdominal ultrasound will cost between $300 and $500. A sonogram will cost between $300 and $600, an echocardiogram will cost between $250 and $350, and other types of specialized ultrasound will vary greatly in price depending on what exactly is being done and who is performing the procedure.

There may be additional fees that are tacked onto the final cost of the ultrasound procedure. For example, if sedatives are needed to keep the dog still or pacified during the procedure, an additional $50 to $250 may be charged. This price has such a wide range is because the age, size, and breed of the dog can affect the amount of sedatives needed to be effective. For example, larger dogs will typically require more sedation than smaller dogs.

On occasion, an ultrasound may be accompanied by a biopsy, which would also be an additional cost. The cost of this additional procedure varies depending on the type of biopsy and the equipment used. However, less invasive biopsies tend to accompany ultrasounds, which would put the price in the area of $400 to $800. On rare occasions, a more complex biopsy may be required, which could cost up to $2,500.

Preparing Your Dog for an Ultrasound

There are a number of guidelines that it is best to follow leading up to your dog’s procedure. Although it may sound strange, an ultrasound comes out the clearest when a pet’s bladder is full. For this reason, it is often recommended that you prevent your pet from urinating for three to six hours before the procedure is performed. For this same reason, while it may be recommended to withhold food for a time, water should be provided as it typically would be. In addition, it is typically a good idea to monitor the pet’s anxiety levels leading up to the appointment and, if needed, find ways to help keep them calm.

While an ultrasound procedure can be scary and anxiety-inducing for your dog, the procedure may also be intimidating to you if you don’t know exactly what to expect. The most important thing to keep in mind is that an ultrasound procedure is non-invasive and will be completely painless for your beloved canine companion.

To start with, the animal will be sedated if the veterinarian deems it necessary. Next, the area that is going to be examined will be shaved so that clearer images can be produced with minimal interference. From there, a conductive gel will typically be applied to the area before the veterinarian uses a specialized tool that produces ultrasonic waves to get an image of the organs.

Understanding Ultrasound Results

Understanding exactly how an ultrasound works can help reduce the anxiety you may experience about taking your dog in for such a procedure. The veterinarian will use an ultrasound scanner. This means that a transducer will send out a beam of sound waves into your pet around the area of the suspected problem, These soundwaves will then reflect back an image based on the way that they bounce around the internal structures of the animal.

Depending on what the veterinarian finds, some next steps may need to be taken. There is a chance that the ultrasound won’t find any issues. In this case, your dog may either be sent home, or additional testing may be needed. If the ultrasound locates tumors or other abnormalities within the organs, the veterinarian may suggest surgery, further investigation, or other treatment options to keep the condition under control. In the end, it’s best to talk to your veterinarian to know your options.

Financing and Cost Management

While we always want what’s best for our pets, which includes proper healthcare and veterinary diagnosis, sometimes these procedures can be costly. Fortunately, there are some steps that can be taken to help reduce the financial impact so that you can get your pet the care they deserve without having to worry about financial instability as a result.

Pet Insurance Coverage

The first and most helpful solution when it comes to cost management for veterinary procedures is to invest in pet insurance. When looking into a pet insurance policy, or any insurance policy for that matter, you should always make sure that you go over the policy in detail and understand all of the terms and conditions before you sign up.

Most also have a waiting period before the policy will come into effect, and treatment for any preexisting conditions found before the coverage kicks in may not be covered. In addition, a copay may also be required, which is an amount of money that you would have to cover out of pocket before the insurance policy steps in.

Payment Plans

Depending on the type of veterinary facility that you take your dog to for their procedure, a payment plan may be available to help you better finance the price of the procedure. A payment plan is a policy that would allow you to make several smaller payments o sever a longer time period, rather than paying the price in full upfront. If you are unsure whether or not the veterinary facility you choose offers such options, it is best to consult with the veterinarian beforehand.

Expert Opinions and Case Studies

Experts also say that an ultrasound can provide a fast diagnosis. While there may be some delays for a specialist to take a look at the results, the process of an ultrasound can be quick, making it quicker to diagnose your pet.

On top of this, it is also recommended for dogs above the age of nine to have an ultrasound. In one study with dogs over the age of nine, “ultrasounds found abnormalities in 80% of the patients studied.”

One example of ultrasounds being crucial for a dog’s health comes from Dr. Camilla Edwards,

DVM. Edwards is the founder of First Opinion Veterinary Ultrasound (FOVU), who found an enlarged adrenal gland via ultrasound. This turned out to be a “primary functional tumor causing adrenal hyperadrenocorticism.” Fortunately, this tumor is able to be removed with surgery.

Ultrasounds are able to help vets make the best decisions for your dog, so that they can diagnose and treat ailments correctly.

Conclusion

When your pet begins experiencing signs of discomfort or distress, it is always vital to take them to a veterinarian immediately for examination. In most cases, any ailments your dog may have will get worse the longer they are left undiagnosed and untreated. Fortunately, ultrasounds are a valuable tool at any veterinarian’s disposal that can help catch serious issues early on, thus increasing the efficacy of treatment and the likelihood of success.