Dog Ultrasound
Cost UK
A dog ultrasound costs £200 to £500 in the UK in 2026. Abdominal ultrasound costs £200-£400, cardiac echocardiography costs £300-£500, and pregnancy scanning costs £50-£100. Specialist referral scans are at the top end.
What You Will Pay
| Component | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal ultrasound | £200 – £400 | Liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, etc. |
| Cardiac echo (echocardiography) | £300 – £500 | Heart structure and function |
| Pregnancy scan | £50 – £100 | Confirmation and puppy count |
| Focused ultrasound (single organ) | £150 – £250 | Bladder, pregnancy check |
| Ultrasound-guided biopsy | £300 – £600 | Sampling of masses or organs |
| Specialist referral ultrasound | £300 – £500 | Performed by imaging specialist |
focused abdominal scan at first-opinion vet
full abdominal ultrasound with report
cardiac echo at specialist referral centre
Factors That Affect
the Price
Type of scan
A focused scan of a single organ (bladder, pregnancy check) costs £150-£250. A full abdominal ultrasound examining all organs costs £200-£400. Cardiac echocardiography requires specialist equipment and training, costing £300-£500.
Who performs the scan
Ultrasound performed by your first-opinion vet is cheapest. Mobile ultrasonographers visiting your vet cost slightly more. Referral to a specialist imaging centre is the most expensive but provides the most detailed assessment.
Sedation requirements
Most dogs tolerate abdominal ultrasound without sedation if they are calm. Anxious or painful dogs may need sedation (£50-£150 extra). Cardiac echo rarely requires sedation.
Additional procedures
If the ultrasound identifies a mass or abnormality, fine-needle aspiration or biopsy may be recommended at the same time, adding £100-£300 to the cost.
How to Save Money
Ask about mobile ultrasonographers
Many practices use mobile ultrasonographers who visit weekly. This is often cheaper than referral and avoids the stress of travelling to a specialist centre.
Combine with other diagnostics
If your dog needs blood tests and imaging, booking everything in one visit saves on multiple consultation fees and potentially sedation costs.
Check if sedation is needed
Many calm dogs tolerate ultrasound without sedation. If your dog is relaxed, ask whether sedation can be skipped — saving £50-£150.
Compare first-opinion vs referral
For straightforward abdominal scans, a first-opinion vet with ultrasound experience can provide excellent results at a lower cost than a referral centre.
Would insurance have covered this?
On a typical lifetime policy an owner pays the excess (usually £60–£200) and, on some policies, 10–20% of the rest. Pre-existing conditions are never covered, so the time to compare is before something goes wrong.
Compare UK pet insurers side by sideLinks may earn VetCost a commission at no cost to you. Prices shown are "from" figures supplied by insurers; your quote depends on your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dog ultrasound costs £200-£500 in the UK in 2026. Abdominal scans cost £200-£400, cardiac echo £300-£500, and pregnancy scans £50-£100. Focused single-organ scans start from £150.
Most calm dogs tolerate abdominal ultrasound without sedation. The main requirement is that your dog lies still for 15-30 minutes. Anxious, painful, or aggressive dogs may need light sedation.
Yes, diagnostic ultrasound for investigating illness or injury is covered by most pet insurance policies. Pregnancy scans and elective screening are usually not covered.
A focused scan takes 10-15 minutes. A full abdominal ultrasound takes 20-40 minutes. Cardiac echo takes 30-45 minutes. Your dog will need a small area of fur shaved for the probe.
They are complementary. X-rays show bones, lung detail, and overall organ size. Ultrasound shows soft tissue detail, organ internal structure, and blood flow. Your vet may recommend one or both depending on the suspected condition.
Find vets offering ultrasound near you
Compare diagnostic imaging prices at local practices. Enter your postcode to see ultrasound costs from vets in your area.