Pet Ultrasound in Vancouver — A Gentle Look Inside Your Dog or Cat
When bloodwork or an X-ray raises a question — or when your dog or cat has vomiting, belly pain, or a swollen abdomen — a pet ultrasound in Vancouver gives us a live, detailed look at the organs inside. At Beach Avenue Animal Hospital (BAAH) in the West End of Vancouver, Dr. Omid and our team use abdominal ultrasound for dogs and cats to see the liver, kidneys, bladder, spleen, and intestines in real time, without radiation and usually without sedation.
Ultrasound is for any dog or cat owner who needs answers about what is happening inside: a dog with ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, a cat that is straining to urinate, a pet with fluid in the abdomen, or a pregnant dog or cat whose litter needs checking.
What Is a Pet Ultrasound?
An ultrasound (sonogram) uses sound waves to build a moving picture of your pet’s internal organs on a screen. A small amount of gel is applied to the belly, and a handheld probe is moved gently over the skin. It is painless, uses no radiation, and most pets lie quietly for it with gentle restraint. It shows us the size, shape, and texture of organs, fluid, stones, masses, and — in pregnancy — the developing puppies or kittens and their heartbeats.
When to Book a Pet Ultrasound in Vancouver
Call us to book an ultrasound if your dog or cat has any of these signs:
- Vomiting or diarrhea that keeps coming back, or belly pain and a hunched posture
- A swollen or tense abdomen, or fluid found on an exam or X-ray
- Straining or crying while urinating, blood in the urine, or repeated urinary infections
- Unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, or a mass felt in the abdomen
- Bloodwork that shows liver, kidney, or pancreas changes we need to look at more closely
- A known heart murmur, coughing, or tiring easily — we will talk about whether a heart ultrasound is needed
- A pregnant dog or cat that needs a pregnancy check
If your pet is very unwell, breathing with difficulty, collapses, or cannot urinate, call us right away at (778) 760-0000 or (604) 909-0636 and we will tell you the fastest next step.
What Is Included in a Pet Ultrasound at BAAH?
Every ultrasound starts with an exam and a conversation about what we need to find. Depending on your pet, it may include:
- Abdominal ultrasound — a full look at the liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, bladder, intestines, and lymph nodes, for dogs and cats.
- Bladder and urinary ultrasound — for bladder stones, wall thickening, and urinary blockages, often alongside a urinalysis and other diagnostics.
- Pregnancy ultrasound — to confirm pregnancy and check the puppies or kittens. For full pregnancy care, see our Breeding & Pregnancy page.
- Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) — a moving picture of the heart’s chambers and valves. Echocardiogram availability varies — please call to confirm before booking.
- Ultrasound-guided sampling — when a mass or fluid needs testing, ultrasound helps us guide a fine needle safely to the right spot.
What Happens at an Ultrasound Visit?
1. We talk and examine first. You tell us what has changed, and we examine your pet and review any bloodwork or X-rays already done.
2. We prepare your pet. Most pets need to fast for several hours before an abdominal ultrasound, and we will tell you exactly how to prepare when you book. A small patch of fur on the belly is usually clipped so the probe has good contact — it grows back.
3. We scan, usually while your pet is awake. Your pet lies on a padded table while we move the probe over the belly with warm gel. Most dogs and cats settle quickly with gentle handling. Sedation is rarely needed, and we will discuss it with you if your pet is very anxious or in pain.
4. We explain what we see. We go through the images with you in plain language, explain what they mean, and agree the next steps — treatment, monitoring, or a referral if a specialist opinion would help.
Most pets go home the same day, and the scan itself is usually finished in one visit.
Pet Ultrasound Cost in Vancouver
Pet ultrasound cost in Vancouver depends on the area scanned, whether it is a full abdominal or a focused scan, and whether sampling or other tests are needed, so we do not publish a fixed price for a dog ultrasound or a cat ultrasound. A wellness or first exam starts at $89 ($93.45 including tax); a follow-up exam is $78 and may be waived, and your exact total is confirmed after the exam. Call us for an estimate — tell us what your pet needs scanned, and we will tell you the likely cost before you book. What would an ultrasound show for your pet — and what would it cost in your pet’s case?
Why Choose BAAH for Pet Ultrasound in Vancouver?
We are a small, family-run West End clinic, and your pet’s scan is done by the same team that knows them — with time to explain, in plain language, what the images mean. Ultrasound is one part of our pet diagnostics, so if the scan raises another question, bloodwork, X-ray, or a urine test can usually be done in the same visit. And if a specialist opinion is the better choice, we will say so and arrange the referral. A pet wellness exam is a good time to ask whether your pet would benefit from an ultrasound.
Book a Pet Ultrasound in Vancouver
Call BAAH at (778) 760-0000 or (604) 909-0636 to book a pet ultrasound in Vancouver, or use the contact form at the bottom of this page. We are at 1000 Beach Ave #111, Vancouver, BC. Our hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 8 am–7 pm, Thursday 9 am–5 pm, and Sunday 9 am–2 pm; we are closed on Mondays. Call early in the day for the best choice of appointment times.
