[The ultrasonic diagnosis of foreign bodies in the dog and cat]

For the search of foreign bodies by means of ultrasound the 5 resp. 7.5 Mhz transducers are best used depending on the position. The appearance of different materials in the echotomogram such as plant parts, wood, metal or plastic is described. While in the abdominal organs, excluding the intestinal tract, a foreign body can be well detected, it can however only be visible in the abdominal cavity, when the surrounding tissue is inflamed (such as granuloma, abscess, free fluid). The ultrasound was only able to detect foreign bodies in the intestinal tract in approximately half of the cases. In those cases secondary sonographic signs of an ileus are often decisive. Penetrating foreign bodies in the area of the soft tissue of the musculoskeletal system are evaluated in the ultrasound according to their position, size and form. They are best seen when the inflamed reaction-line is well developed. Probes and catheters are definitively detected in the sonographic examination. Their position can be checked.