Diagnostic ultrasonography in ruminants

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Diagnostic ultrasound equipment is increasingly utilized in veterinary practice.
• Ultrasonography offers advantages over other imaging modalities.
• It is applicable in both hospital and ambulatory settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the application of diagnostic ultrasound in food animal species.
• To cover its use in diagnosing gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, cardiothoracic, urogenital, and umbilical disorders.
• To present normal and abnormal ultrasonographic findings.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive review of diagnostic ultrasound applications.
• Illustration and discussion of normal and abnormal ultrasonographic findings.
• Focus on food animal species.

Main Results:

• Diagnostic ultrasound is effective for a wide range of disorders in food animals.
• The technique allows for rapid, inexpensive, and noninvasive data acquisition.
• Requires modest training for accurate and timely use.

Conclusions:

• Diagnostic ultrasound has widespread potential in diagnosing disorders of multiple body systems in food animals.
• It provides clinically relevant data efficiently.
• Training enhances the effective application of this modality.