Here at Vet Image Solutions we want to be more than just a website for ultrasound scanners – we want to be the ‘go-to’ for all your veterinary ultrasound needs and advice. We also aim to be at the forefront of veterinary ultrasound research via research studies published by scientists across the globe.

Publications employing ultrasonography use a number of different animal species as study models including horses, Syrian hamsters, rabbits, ferrets and even green iguanas. Such a wide variety of animals demonstrate the sheer versatility and functionality of ultrasound, and help to explain why it is the tool of choice for so many researchers.

This week however, a canine article of particular interest was published by Cicchelero L et al., in the Veterinary and Comparative Oncology journal (9 August 2016, ‘Intratumoural interleukin 12 gene therapy stimulates the immune system and decreases angiogenesis in dogs with spontaneous cancer’) and looks at the link between the immune system and ultrasound. Please note that the contents contained within the abstract are discussed here, although the link to the full article is available. The researchers sought to assess how an immunological molecule called a cytokine was able to help in dogs with cancer, with ultrasound used to aid in this assessment. The immunological effects of using this cytokine called interleukin 12 were measured in terms of changes in the quantity of immune cells and other types of cytokines, physiological changes in the tumour and the effects on tumour metastasis. Results were indicative of a therapeutic role for interleukin 12 in canine cancer alongside other currently used treatments. Of specific interest was how veterinary ultrasound was utilised. The effects of this molecule on both blood volume and the speed of blood flow was examined with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, and revealed that there was a reduction in both these parameters within the tumour environment. In this context, veterinary ultrasound is pivotal in helping to build up a clearer picture of how the immune system can be used in the battle against cancer.

You can find out about more uses and the scanners we stock for canine ultrasonography by going to the relevant section on our website, or feel free to contact us for more information.