How do I schedule an appointment for an ultrasound or on-site consultation?
To schedule an appointment, please fill out and submit the online ultrasound request form. After submitting the form, we will contact you with our availability to accommodate your request.
What do we need to do to prepare our patients for their scan when they arrive?
Shave the patient prior to Dr. Sikorski’s arrival. We recommend clipping at admit, prior to kenneling. This greatly helps with patient stress and case efficiency. If your staff is unfamiliar with the clipping margins for an echocardiogram or abdominal ultrasound, we will be happy to provide instruction.
When should my patients arrive at the hospital on the day of the appointment?
Please have your patients arrive one hour prior to their scheduled appointment time.
What type of consent do I need to obtain in advance of the appointment?
If you anticipate that Dr. Sikorski will need to sample an organ, we recommend speaking with your clients preemptively to ensure that the ultrasound as well as the sampling procedure(s) can occur at the same visit. A coagulation profile is necessary for all biopsies though it is NOT necessary for fine needle aspiration.
We have provided you with a general consent form. Please feel free to use the form for ultrasound appointments, although it is not required by AIM.
Does an AIM technician accompany every appointment?
We make every attempt to have our own technician, though on rare occasions, we may need to rely on a member of your staff for assistance. Also, if pets are over 50 lbs, please have staff available to assist in positioning and holding of the pet during the ultrasound examination.
What type of room is needed for the appointments?
A quiet space with adjustable/dim lighting, an examination table and an outlet are required.
How does patient sedation work?
If you anticipate that your patient will need a light plane of sedation, consider a pre-visit, cost-effective oral sedative such as trazadone, acepromazine or gabapentin. Unfortunately, occasionally some patients will need injectable medication. If possible please make sure to obtain owner permission in advance as this will help to facilitate the appointment. Moreover, if you would like us to help you to formulate a sedation plan, please inquire. Lastly, keep in mind that a calm, restrainable patient will capture the best images possible and maximize your chance at reaching a diagnosis.
Do our patients need to fast before appointments?
Abdominal Ultrasound (exclusively): A 12-hour withholding of food (water is always OK) is ideal for abdominal ultrasound (not echocardiogram) though we recognize that there are medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus or juvenile patients that can not be safely fasted. Also, if a pet is accidentally fed, there is a reasonable chance that it will not make a significant clinical difference, so if you have any concerns, please contact us with your specific scenario.