One of the recurring themes that keep cropping up week after week is the lack of available information relating to veterinary science, particularly in both the research and clinical fields. It is important therefore that studies determining the use of a specific application for veterinary research are read and the resulting findings understood and conclusions drawn. This week I will be reviewing two research studies available to those within the veterinary ultrasound field that may be of particular interest. Whilst the studies will not be looked at in-depth, key points may be mentioned (gleaned from the abstract information available).

As one example, users of B-mode ultrasonography are able to capitalise on the use of this technique for assessing aspects of canine pregnancy thanks to a paper by Gil E.M.U. et al., ‘Use of B-mode ultrasonography for fetal sex determination in dogs’, Theriogenology, Oct 1st 2015. This paper is of particular importance as using ultrasound as a method by which to predict gender prior to birth is not routinely carried out in dogs. Ultrasound was carried out between weeks 8-9 (day 55-58 of pregnancy) of the 9 week gestation, and was shown to have a 62.24% versus 65.48% success rate in female versus males, and the dependability was shown to be partly associated with the number of foetuses present per pregnancy. This study is sure to be of great benefit if brought into general practice as a matter of course as is currently the situation during human pregnancy.

In addition, a study looking at transabdominal ultrasonography and dromedary camels revealed further uses for veterinary ultrasound. Camels were examined in 6 different areas of the body between the 4th and 19th weeks of gestation every week, before examinations were carried out once every 2 weeks from the 20th to the 52nd week of gestation. In addition, specific foetal measurements were taken during examination. The results revealed that how the foetus was observed was dependent on the stage of gestation, and that this type of ultrasound imaging was an acceptable method to both detect pregnancy in camels and speculate on the current stage of gestation. For anyone wishing to read about this study in more detail, search for ‘Transabdominal ultrasonography for pregnancy diagnosis and estimation of gestational age in dromedary camels’ by Ali A et al., Reproduction in domestic animals, June 2015 Volume 50(3), pp 437-42.  

If you would like any information regarding any specific ultrasound techniques, please do not hesitate to contact us.