The use of veterinary ultrasound to diagnose various health-related conditions is well understood. In addition, it is also useful in helping the practitioner to decide on the next best course of action, a concept which will be explored further this week. The research discussed here is derived from a paper by Tong NM et al., ‘Effect of screening abdominal ultrasound examination on the decision to pursue advanced diagnostic tests and treatment in dogs with neurologic disease’, 2015, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, May-Jun:29(3), pp893-9.

This study carried out ultrasound in the abdominal region of dogs that had certain neurological issues to locate any abnormalities, whilst simultaneously examining whether any findings could be linked to a particular breed, age, or the particular position of any lesions present. These findings should then be able to help in determining what further treatment (if any) is required. In addition, ultrasound imaging being carried out in dogs with certain conditions enabled the researchers to try and understand any link that exists between the abdominal region and the neurological condition present. Ultrasonography may also help to reveal any other conditions that had not been identified previously.

This retrospective study benefits from a large cohort of subjects, with 759 dogs being looked at. One result was indicative of a role of dog age in influencing the ultrasonographic findings, with increased weight also being an influential factor (albeit to a lesser degree). It was revealed that younger dogs along with dogs that were from the dachshund species did not present with as many abnormalities following ultrasound imaging.

In addition, despite detecting various abnormalities following ultrasound imaging this research did not show a significant movement towards modified ‘after-treatment’ (neurodiagnostics), although there was a slight tendency to not pursue further treatment following ultrasound imaging. For those interested, reasons as to why this might be are discussed in more detail in the paper which can be read by clicking here. Consequently, the results of this study suggest that abdominal ultrasound imaging may be of benefit in dogs with certain conditions/suspected conditions. Furthermore, such examination would be of particular use in dogs of greater age, although the same examinations in younger dogs and dachshunds would not be as beneficial.

If you would like any further information on veterinary ultrasound, or information relating to our training days, please feel free to contact us.