Heart & Liver Ultrasound - What can I expect?

I have my cat, Willow, scheduled for his ultrasounds this Saturday so that we can figure out exactly why his liver enzymes and cardio-BNP are elevated, and I've never had a cat that needed one before. So I have some questions. Will they shave his fur off? Will they sedate him? And if so, by needle or gas? How long will each ultrasound take, and do you think they'll let me be with him while it's being done? Just scared, because I know he's going to be scared - we're seeing a different vet too, so I know that's probably going to freak him out even more. Thanks.

I have no idea, but I wanted to pop by and give you and your kitty lots of vibes and good wishes. Please do keep us posted.

I don't really know either.  Patches was hospitalized when he had his done and I wasn't there.  Let us know what you find out.

Sebastian had an abdominal ultrasound (liver, pancreas, stomach, intestines, etc.) performed by a specialist this past July and he was not sedated. They had him in another room and I was not allowed to be present. I'll assume if they are not sedated, then they have to use some bit of force to hold them down.     The decision to sedate or not sedate probably varies by vet.

I think shaving is pretty much standard for ultrasounds. They did shave Sebastian's abdomen very closely. He is long-haired, so it was almost like they went over it once with a trimmer and then with a razor. This was my/his first time, as well.

You may want to remind/request them to be careful around the nipples so that the razor doesn't catch any of them. Ouch! 

Best of luck and lots of vibes!    Let us know how it goes.

Thanks Draco for the good vibes. I'm really hoping that this is all a big mistake, or at least that it's not as bad as I'm thinking it might be. I think I've broken down and cried every night since I got the results, and I've even found myself tearing up during the day. I'm also torn between letting them take over if he does have a heart issue (prescription meds), or if I should try herbs and supplements - or both. I have concerns about doing both because most vets aren't going to know which herbs interact, and I don't want to kill my cat. He's my life...he really is. I think it's harder for me too because I have this image in my head of my other two cats who had heart problems, and they didn't even show symptoms like he does (he pants). They just fell to the floor one day and died. I don't want this to be his fate, so I've been up late at night, sometimes until 3:00am, trying to research supplements. Then during the day I nap with him. My house is going to hell, but I don't even care anymore - and I have severe OCD, so that should tell you something. HE is the most important thing in my life, and nothing else matters anymore.

Thanks Denice too. I sure hope they don't make me leave him there. I picked this vet not only because he can do ultrasounds right there in his office, but also because this hospital got great reviews, so I'm hoping they realize how important it is for me and Willow to be together.

Thanks, GoHolistic, I was worried about that - that they wouldn't allow me in the room. He is so fearful though, and he pants when he's scared - and this is his heart we're talking about. Plus he's a big cat (14.3 lbs, I think), so it'll take a lot of force to hold him down. I think I'm just going to have to beg them then. If they say no, I'll just remind them that I'm paying big bucks for this test, so outta my way! ;-)

I think it's mostly due to insurance that they don't have pet owners present during certain diagnostics, not to mention that sometimes well-intended owners can really get in the way. Perhaps if you calmly explain how shy/scared the cat is with strangers as well as your past experiences/fears they'll work with you on this.

As far as medications and natural remedies, there is some interaction information online but the vet can call the manufacturers. I would definitely tell them any medication changes along the way, no matter how "natural" the substance may be. In humans for example, SamE taken with certain drugs metabolized by the liver can cause the drug to be metabolized much faster and causes problems. Not that I think SamE is a bad thing at all...but I'd watch for interactions.

Many vibes that you and your kitty get through this OK.

When we have ultrasounds performed at our clinic it is done by an outside specialist, we usually have the pets dropped off and then picked up later.  Yes the area will have to be shaved, as for sedation it really depends on the pet.

This clinic I'm taking him to this time actually has the ultrasound equipment right there in the hospital - that was one reason I chose this place because I didn't want to be taking him to multiple places, and he'll be able to have an office visit with his new vet at the same time. Normally I think I'd let them follow normal procedures, but this cat pants when he goes to the vet now, and he does have heart problems. If they X-ray him I can see how they wouldn't want me in the room though. I imagine that the sound of the razor alone will frighten him? Plus he can't eat for 12 hours before the test, so he may already be upset.

peaches08, thanks for mentioning that Sam-E could interact with some pharmaceuticals - I didn't know that and he is actually taking Denamarin for his liver right now. I don't know which website I found it on, but one site said that Digoxin can interact with Hawthorn (one supplement I've ordered and was planning to try), increasing the levels of Digoxin to dangerous levels causing liver damage (I believe). Yet on another website said Hawthorn was safe? I didn't know vets could actually call the manufacturers. I just hope this vet is cooperative that way. Times I've asked his previous vets if a certain supplement was safe in my attempts to correct his diarrhea, my vet would simply say she didn't know and send me on my merry way telling me to 'research it' myself. So on one hand a vet is telling me I should be careful in believing what I read online, yet she is also telling me to research whether a supplement is safe online. Confusing.

What was the BNP level and how did the appointment go with the ultrasound? My 5 year old cat just had a cardio bnp of 683 but no other symptoms and seems healthy but has an echo cardiograph on jan 17th. I am afraid they will say he has heart disease and wont live long despite him seeming healthy.