Most veterinary practices have an X-ray machine to easily diagnose broken bones, enlarged organs, or foreign bodies that could present potential health problems for a pet. But for many veterinarians, the purchase of a computed tomography (CT) scanner or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine is unlikely to ever be in the budget.
As a way to supplement the diagnostic benefits of an X-ray machine without breaking the bank, some vets have turned to ultrasound machines to fill in the gaps.
Ultrasound is a safe, effective, and non-invasive diagnostic procedure that has almost no side effects, particularly if a pet doesn't require sedation to sit still for the machine. Read on for five ways in which veterinary ultrasound machines can be used to improve pet health and even extend life expectancies.
#1: Quickly Locate a Swallowed Object
Even the most careful pet parents may find themselves rushing to the emergency vet after discovering that their dog, cat, or other critter has ingested a harmful object. While small items can usually pass through most animals' intestinal tracts unimpeded, larger or expandable items (like chunks of foam mattress) can create an intestinal blockage or other potentially life-threatening health condition.
For many vets, an X-ray is the go-to means by which to determine how far an item has traveled through an animal's digestive tract. But X-rays aren't foolproof, and sometimes it can be tough to differentiate between tissues and foreign bodies. By using an ultrasound machine to examine the animal's stomach, vets can more easily locate these items and examine them to determine whether surgical removal may be necessary.
#2: Stage Cancer More Accurately
Many cancerous (and non-cancerous) tumors, cysts, and other growths are readily visible on an X-ray, but it can be tough to determine more about these growths without performing invasive biopsy procedures.
An ultrasound can provide a 3D view of a mass and allow veterinarians to more readily determine whether further testing is needed. Ruling out malignancy through an ultrasound can often help pet owners avoid putting their pets through painful and expensive diagnostic procedures that often require full sedation.
If a tumor does turn out to be cancerous, ultrasound can be used to stage it - that is, to determine whether it is Stage I, II, III, or IV. Vets can also use ultrasound to monitor the tumor's size if cancer treatment is pursued. By viewing the tumor on an ultrasound machine at frequent intervals, veterinarians can often avoid having to perform blood and other invasive tests to see how well treatments are working.
#3: Diagnose Heart Diseases
An ultrasound of the heart is referred to as an echocardiogram and can be incredibly useful for diagnosing and managing various heart conditions. By watching through an ultrasound monitor as the heart pumps blood, veterinarians can see potential artery blockages, ensure all valves are functioning as they should, and see whether the heart has excess fluid around it, which can be an early sign of congestive heart failure.
Ultrasounds can also be used to measure the walls of the heart. For pets with heart conditions that require observation, the ability to quickly and painlessly obtain these measurements can be invaluable in ensuring the pet's comfort and making any necessary changes to medication, diet, or exercise regimens.
#4: Rule Out Potential Diagnoses
Occasionally, veterinarians need a clear line of sight inside the body to ensure that a biopsy or fine- needle aspiration is correctly performed. If fluid must be drawn from the spine, bladder, or elsewhere to check for infection or the presence of cancer cells, accuracy is key. Withdrawing fluid from the wrong place could lead to misdiagnosis or require a second biopsy to be performed.
By using an ultrasound to watch the needle reach its destination, veterinarians are able to make sure they're getting the right fluids or tissues on the first try.
#5: Prevent Trauma-Related Complications
When a pet is struck by a vehicle, physically abused, or otherwise involved in a physically traumatic accident, internal bleeding is often a major concern. An ultrasound can quickly check for pooled blood in the stomach, lungs, or other organs, giving vets the information they need to drain any excess fluid and cauterize the wound (or, in some cases, even remove organs like the spleen).
Because internal bleeding is often fairly symptom-free until it's too late, pet owners may wish to seek a diagnostic ultrasound whenever their pet has been involved in an accident. This is an easy and inexpensive way to provide pet owners with peace of mind and prevent pets from suffering a medical emergency.
KeeboMed specializes in ultrasound equipment and can ensure that your veterinary practice has the most up- to-date and accurate ultrasounds in the area. Give us a call or visit our website for more information or to place an order.