South Asheville Veterinary Emergency & Specialty
Outpatient Ultrasound Eligibility
To qualify for outpatient ultrasounds, your pet must:
Be in stable condition with the ability to wait for an appointment.
Have a good temperament.
Not require injectable sedation.
If sedation is needed, the sedative must be prescribed in advance by your primary care veterinarian for administration prior to the appointment. If injectable sedation is necessary, an additional emergency exam with a SAVES veterinarian will be required.
We strive to make this process as seamless and stress-free as possible for both you and your pet. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (828) 210-8285.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Ultrasound?
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time pictures of the inside of the body, including the structure and movement of internal organs. It is highly effective in identifying early abnormalities within these areas, giving the medical team a better chance of recommending successful treatment.
Ultrasound is non-invasive, safe, and does not use radiation.
Abdominal ultrasound is used to help visualize the following:
Gallbladder
Kidneys
Liver
Pancreas
Spleen
How do I prepare my pet for the procedure?
Do not feed your pet for 8 hours before the procedure. Water is fine to offer as usual.
If your primary care veterinarian has advised feeding your pet due to medical reasons, please inform the staff upon arrival.
How do I schedule an appointment?
To schedule an ultrasound appointment, please call us directly at (828) 210-8285.
While same-day imaging is not guaranteed, we can typically schedule your pet’s ultrasound within 1-2 days.
Ultrasound appointments are available Monday-Thursday from 8am-5pm.
What happens during an abdominal ultrasound?
Positioning
During the test, your pet is placed on their side or back. Most pets are quite comfortable during the process and relax while receiving lots of pets from our team.
Shaving
To get optimal ultrasound images, the ultrasound wand must have direct contact with your pet’s skin. This requires shaving your pet’s belly and applying gel to the skin. While we understand that shaving your pet’s fur can be upsetting, it is necessary to ensure the best results possible.
Sedation
Sedation is not administered during an outpatient ultrasound procedure. If sedation is necessary to make your pet more comfortable, please request a prescription from your primary veterinarian and administer it before your appointment. If the ultrasound cannot be performed due to the pet's behavior and sedation is needed, an emergency exam will be required to prescribe the medication, resulting in an additional exam fee.
What can I expect during the appointment?
This is not a drop-off appointment. We kindly ask that you remain in the lobby while the procedure is performed. The entire process should take no longer than 45 minutes.
The ultrasound will be conducted by one of our experienced sonographers. No veterinarian will physically examine your pet during this appointment.
What happens after the ultrasound?
Once the imaging is completed, the scans are sent to a board-certified radiologist for review.
The radiologist will interpret the results and provide a detailed report.
The report will be sent directly to your referring veterinarian, who will then communicate the results to you and determine any necessary treatment plan for your pet.
When will I receive the results?
In most cases, results are available within a few hours. However, please allow up to 48 hours for the final report to be completed and sent to your referring veterinarian for review.
Meet Our Ultrasound Technologist
Maecy Scott is the Diagnostic Ultrasound Technologist at SAVES. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography in May 2024, during which she achieved her state registries for RDMS, RVT, and OBGYN.
While completing her education, she worked part-time at Mission Hospital as their Student Ultrasound Technologist, further honing her skills. Upon graduation, she took on the role of High-Risk OB Ultrasound Technologist, as well as her full-time position here at SAVES. In both human and veterinary sonography, Maecy remains dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and ensuring that every patient feels safe during their ultrasound exams.
Emergency Ultrasounds Disclaimer
Direct transfers for emergent cases
Emergency ultrasounds are determined based on our doctor’s assessment and recommendations, which cannot be determined without an emergency exam. For cases that do not qualify for an outpatient ultrasound or who are unable to wait for a specialist referral due to illness, pets should be referred directly to our emergency department for an exam and continued care at SAVES. These are patients in need of emergency care, hospitalization, or that may require additional workups or procedures. Referring veterinarians can facilitate direct transfers to the emergency department by calling to speak with our team.
