Last time on our ‘Meet the Experts’ series we met Catherine Stowell at Vet Image Solutions - your veterinary ultrasound specialists. This week, Catherine shares her tips and advice for anyone looking into veterinary ultrasound.

Catherine starts off by stating the importance of being aware that veterinary ultrasound is a greatly specialised area, echoed by the realisation that only a few companies are dedicated to this subject (with Vet Image Solutions being the only company to solely work within this field). Catherine advises a willingness to learn ‘the science behind ultrasound technology, as well as veterinary anatomy and physiology’ as critically important in helping you to secure a job within this field.

Once you have obtained experience in ultrasound imaging it’s time to get ‘hands-on’ and start scanning. Which is the best machine to use if you are just starting on your ultrasound journey? Catherine explains that, put simply, the best scanner is one with easy to use controls, a big screen and good quality resolution, although unfortunately all these features also come with a significant price tag.  Consequently, a modestly priced ultrasound scanning machine should be purchased initially in order to let the user decide if they want to continue in this field.

Using our canine friends as an example, a dog breeder may start out with a scanning machine called an MSU Dog Scan. This machine is reasonably priced, able to be moved around with ease and is simple to use, although the detail that is often required for scanning and detecting pregnancy and/or a foetal heartbeat confidently and at an earlier period of gestation is lacking. A scanning machine such as the SonoScape A5v may be a better machine of choice for detecting canine pregnancy once the user has gained more experience.

For those working with cattle, a beginner may find that a scanner such as the SonoFarm Profi is suitable for the detection of the establishment of pregnancy, although ideally the Draminski iScan would be used which can provide the extra detail that is required for identifying specific components including the corpeus luteum or follicular structures.

In the case of veterinarians, they will have additional features to consider when purchasing an ultrasound scanner. As a veterinarian would utilise ultrasound for a number of different reasons other than just pregnancy, the type of ultrasound machine to use would vary. Catherine suggests an iScan for large animal vets due to the image quality provided by this machine and the SonoScape A6v for vets dealing with smaller animals as the perfect scanner for abdominal work.

Finally, Catherine reveals that when it comes to ultrasound, the Colour Doppler can be considered her favourite feature of a scanner. This feature allows the visualisation of blood flowing through vessels, helping to differentiate between static and moving structures, which can be of great benefit to the ultrasound practitioner. To see the Colour Doppler scanners stocked by Vet Image Solutions, please click here.

And so we reach the end of the first installment of our ‘Ask the Experts’ series. Catherine’s passion and devotion to veterinary ultrasound ensures that you will always receive high quality and valuable advice, irrespective of your veterinary ultrasound query. Please feel free to contact us by clicking here – we look forward to hearing from you.