Following on from the pregnancy-related topics that have been the focus of the previous couple of articles, this week the wonder of ultrasound will be explored. Any expectant mother will tell you that seeing their baby’s image for the first time will provoke a myriad of feelings including joy, relief, amazement and perhaps even anxiety with thoughts turning to the times ahead. However, technology has allowed ever increasing detail of the foetus to be revealed to both the expectant parents and doctors alike, giving the former a good idea of what their baby will look like prior to birth. Furthermore, doctors can use the information contained within these images to assess any potential complications that may arise during pregnancy.

An example of such technology is the software discovered by Dr Bernard Benoit. Dr Benoit is affiliated with the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco, and is known for his work with ultrasonography. This technology has invited a considerable amount of attention from the media, and works with pre-existing 3D imaging techniques before enhancing these images by the addition of a number of parameters (Daily Mail/Mail Online). The pictures taken of the developing foetus are really quite remarkable, and an example of such images (including a video of the foetus) can be viewed by clicking here.

It is reasonable to speculate that such technology could be applied to veterinary ultrasound images in the not so distant future. Whilst current ultrasound equipment allows the practitioner to retrieve good quality images by breeders and veterinarians, clearer imaging would aid in more accurate and reliable embryo quantification and estimation of gestational age (this topic was discussed in detail last time and can be accessed by clicking here). Of course, it is not just the availability of technology that is important when carrying out ultrasound imaging – the knowledge and expertise of the practitioner is also a factor that should be taken into consideration and can greatly skew the outcome of an ultrasound scan. Here at Vet Image Solutions we offer training courses to help you learn and develop your ultrasound skills. For more information on these training courses, or if you would like to know more about the most suitable ultrasound equipment for use during veterinary pregnancy, please feel free to contact us by filling in our contact form by clicking here.