Veterinary Urgent Care - Nashua
Outpatient Ultrasound Qualifying Criteria
Abdominal ultrasound appointments are available on an outpatient basis. Eligible stable patients will need to be referred by their primary veterinarian. Outpatient ultrasound appointments include a case evaluation, an ultrasound exam, and a written interpretation issued electronically to the referring veterinarian.
Outpatient ultrasound services are offered at Veterinary Urgent Care Nashua for stable patients referred by their primary veterinarian. Outpatient ultrasound appointments are scheduled directly with the clinic by the referring veterinary practice.
Qualifying Criteria
Outpatient ultrasound is intended for the evaluation of the abdomen only
Patients should be deemed stable by a recent examination (within 30 days) with their referring veterinarian.
Exceptions to the above notes include chronic issues that the referring veterinarian is managing, where the owners have been following all recommendations and remained in contact with the primary veterinarian, such as:
Ongoing hematuria or urinary tract infections: patients must have had a follow-up urinalysis and have been on medication.
Elevated liver enzymes: if the patient has been on liver protectants or antibiotics, has had recheck bloodwork, and has been in communication with the referring veterinarian.
Chronic vomiting: if the patient has been treated for IBD.
Follow up or recheck ultrasound that an Ethos radiologist has recommended. Please try to book an appointment with the same radiologist for consistency.
A referral and any records and bloodwork from the past year should be received prior to scheduling an appointment. We do not accept verbal referrals from a client or referring veterinarian.
Disqualifying Criteria
Patients do not qualify for outpatient ultrasounds if they are referred for any of the following reasons. Please advise them to consult with a doctor and/or visit one of our sister hospital emergency rooms:
Fluid in abdomen – ascites, hemoabdomen, decreased serosal detail on radiographs (especially with a concern of an abdominal mass).
Anemia with clinical signs.
Icteric, jaundiced, or elevated bilirubin; gallbladder mucocele, bile duct obstruction.
Foreign material or mechanical obstruction.
Acute Vomiting, multiple episodes over multiple days.
Fever of unknown origin.
PSS, Insulinoma.
Straining to urinate with little to no urine production.
Patients Will Require Sedation
If it is noted on the referral or records that the patient is fractious or requires injectable sedation, an additional estimate will be prepared for the owner. This estimate will include abdominal ultrasound, anesthesia planning, sedation – minor, and medication for sedation.
The primary vet must also be contacted to provide oral medications as a pre-procedure sedative for the owner to give at home prior to the Out Patient Ultrasound Appointment.
Should injectable sedation be required during the procedure, an exam fee will apply.
Abdominal Ultrasounds
Only abdominal ultrasounds qualify for outpatient ultrasound referrals.
Patient Transfer Reminder
If you have any questions or concerns about any potential case transfers, please call us to discuss.
