Mobile Needle Aspirates for Dogs and Cats in Duluth, MN
Ultrasound-Guided Cytology That Comes to Your Clinic
Veterinary clinics across Duluth, Superior, and surrounding communities rely on ultrasound-guided needle aspirates to quickly investigate internal abnormalities in dogs and cats. Superior Veterinary Imaging brings this diagnostic service directly to your practice, helping your team collect samples from organs like the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes without the delay or stress of an outside referral.
Our veterinary team is here to support your clinic with on-site diagnostics, immediate verbal feedback, and clear written reports so you can keep care local and move cases forward with confidence.
What Are Needle Aspirates?
Needle aspirates, also known as fine needle aspirates (FNAs), involve using a thin needle to collect cells from a mass or organ for cytologic evaluation. The sample is then submitted to a veterinary pathologist, who examines the cells to look for signs of cancer, inflammation, or infection.
Using ultrasound guidance, our veterinary team can precisely target the area of concern, increasing the likelihood of obtaining a diagnostic sample while minimizing risk to the patient.
This service is especially helpful when a pet presents with:
Needle aspirates offer an efficient, low-risk method of gathering more information when imaging alone is not enough to make a diagnosis.
When Is This Procedure Recommended?
We typically recommend needle aspirates when ultrasound imaging reveals abnormalities such as:
Needle aspirates can be an important step in determining whether a condition is benign, malignant, inflammatory, or infectious. In many cases, this information helps the primary veterinarian plan treatment or determine whether further diagnostics are needed.
Why Use Ultrasound Guidance?
Ultrasound-guided aspirates improve sample quality and reduce the chance of complications. By visualizing the lesion in real time, our veterinary team can choose the safest and most representative area to sample.
Benefits:
We treat each case with the same care and attention we would want for our own pets. Our mobile service at Superior Veterinary Imaging makes it easy to add this diagnostic step without needing to refer the patient elsewhere.
From Scheduling to Results: What to Expect at Your Clinic
Step 1: Case Review and Scheduling
We coordinate directly with your clinic to understand the patient’s history and imaging needs. Once scheduled, we work with your team to ensure everything is ready on the day of the procedure.
Step 2: Sedation
Most pets require sedation for aspirates to keep them calm and still during the procedure. The level of sedation needed depends on your pet and the specific situation. Your veterinary clinic will manage this and ensure your pet’s comfort and safety throughout.
Step 3: Ultrasound and Sampling
Using real-time imaging, we locate the target area and use a fine needle to collect cells. Samples are prepared and submitted for cytology.
Step 4: Verbal Results and Reporting
Dr. Miranda Imrie provides immediate verbal findings after the procedure and delivers a written report within 24 hours to support case management. If a sample is collected during the scan, your clinic team will handle submission to the diagnostic lab for cytology or further testing, based on their assessment and your pet’s needs.
Pet Safety and Comfort
Needle aspirates are typically quick, well tolerated, and require no incisions. Pets usually recover immediately and return home the same day. We prioritize patient safety and comfort at every step. Complications are rare, and our careful approach reduces risk even further. When sedation is necessary, we work with your clinic to ensure safe administration and monitoring.
Preparing for the Procedure
To help ensure a smooth procedure, we generally recommend:
We’ll confirm preparation instructions with your clinic before the visit.
Supporting Veterinary Teams
Superior Veterinary Imaging is here to help your clinic provide timely, thorough care without disrupting your daily schedule. We collaborate directly with your team, offering insight and diagnostics that integrate smoothly into your workflow.
What You Can Expect:
You stay in control of the case, communication, and client experience. We’re here to assist, not compete.
Mobile Services Across the Region
We provide mobile ultrasound and needle aspirate services to clinics in:
Our home base is in Duluth, Minnesota, and we’re proud to work with clinics across the Twin Ports and beyond.
