Veterinary Ultrasound Services at PetMed of Key West: What We Can See Beneath the Fur
By PetMed of Key West Veterinary Clinic – Dubuque, Iowa
Sometimes what’s going on with your pet isn’t obvious from the outside—and that’s where ultrasound comes in. At PetMed of Key West, we’re proud to offer both point-of-care ultrasounds (POCUS) and full abdominal ultrasounds right here in our clinic, giving us a non-invasive way to look deep into your pet’s belly and get the answers we need. Whether your pet is vomiting, losing weight, or just “not right,” ultrasound helps us see the whole picture—literally.
Meet Our Ultrasound Expert: Dr. Mackenzie Hellert
Dr. Hellert has received advanced training in veterinary abdominal ultrasound and performs both POCUS and full diagnostic ultrasounds in-house.
- POCUS is a quick, focused scan used in urgent situations to check for fluid, masses, or blockages.
- Full abdominal ultrasounds are detailed, comprehensive scans of all the major organs in the abdomen. These are often scheduled when your pet is stable but we need more information to guide diagnosis or treatment.
Note: We do not perform echocardiograms (heart ultrasounds) in-clinic—but we work with a trusted traveling echocardiographer who can visit our clinic for pre-scheduled cardiac scans.
Why Might My Pet Need an Abdominal Ultrasound?
Ultrasound can be used to investigate a wide variety of symptoms and conditions. Your pet may be recommended for an ultrasound if they are experiencing:
- Vomiting or diarrhea (especially if it’s chronic or severe)
- Weight loss or decreased appetite
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Changes in urination
- Suspicious lab work (e.g., elevated liver or kidney values)
- Suspected masses or tumors
- Fluid in the abdomen
- Post-trauma evaluation
- Unexplained fever
- Pregnancy monitoring
It’s also used to guide fine-needle aspirates or biopsies, so we can safely collect samples without major surgery.
What Organs Can Be Seen?
A full abdominal ultrasound allows us to evaluate:
- Liver and gallbladder
- Spleen
- Kidneys and bladder
- Gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small and large intestines)
- Pancreas
- Adrenal glands
- Lymph nodes
- Uterus and ovaries or prostate
- Presence of abnormal fluid or masses
Because ultrasound is non-invasive, painless, and doesn’t involve radiation, it’s a gentle way to get critical information—especially for pets that aren’t feeling well.
What About Heart Ultrasounds?
If your pet needs an echocardiogram, don’t worry—we’ve got that covered too. We work with a traveling echocardiographer who comes into our clinic by appointment for advanced heart imaging. This means you can still get expert-level cardiac diagnostics without having to drive out of town to a specialty center.
Imaging You Can Trust, Right Here in Dubuque
Ultrasound is an incredibly valuable diagnostic tool—and at PetMed of Key West, it’s available right here in the clinic you know and trust. With advanced training, modern equipment, and access to specialist support when needed, we’re here to help you get answers—without the extra stress. If your pet isn’t acting like themselves and your vet recommends an ultrasound, you’re in good hands with Dr. Hellert and the PetMed team.