Diagnostic Ultrasound

There are many indications for abdominal and thoracic ultrasonography which are encountered daily by most veterinarians.

Acute or chronic vomiting/diarrhea

• Foreign body obstruction: In addition to radiographs, abdominal ultrasound is more sensitive in the detection of intestinal foreign objects, especially radiolucent ones.
• Pancreatitis: While the currently available blood tests for canine and feline pancreatitis are sensitive, even the latest in-house pancreatic specific lipase test is not absolutely specific for pancreatitis. There are many, other causes for an abnormal cPL test and abdominal ultrasound is by far the best method to investigate this problem.
• GI neoplasia: Many GI mass lesions are not detectable radiographically

Abdominal mass/organomegaly

• Determine organ of origin as well as guide fine needle aspiration or tru-cut biopsy
• Pyometra confirmation in absence of conclusive rads
• Abdominal distension - rule out intraabdominal mass vs portal hypertension vs heart disease

Weight Loss/Anorexia        

• Look for evidence of lymphadenopathy and chronic GI disease
• Neoplasia

Renal/Lower Urinary Disease

• Chronic renal disease, pyelonephritis
• Radiolucent kidney, ureter, and bladder stones, obstruction
• Urinary tract inflammation/neoplasia

Icterus/Hepatobiliary Disease

• Biliary mucocoele
• Intra vs. extrahepatic biliary obstruction

Endocrine

• Differentiate pituitary from adrenal dependent Cushing's syndrome

Cardiothoracic disease

• Baseline evaluation and diagnosis of heart disease
• Evaluate for pulmonary hypertension (common cause of syncope)
• Evaluate and sample masses in the mediastinum and peripheral lung fields

Congenital Disease

• Congenital heart defects
• Portosystemic shunt detection