The Vet Image Solutions website aims to be a place that can offer and advise on all manner of veterinary-ultrasound matters, whilst offering state of the art scanners to suit every budget and every animal. Nevertheless, we are always on the lookout for research demonstrating the ever expanding applications for ultrasonography and the different types of animals that it can be used with. This week we will be looking at how the buffalo can benefit from ultrasound technology, with information taken from the publication by Abouelnasr K. et al, Utility of ultrasonography for diagnosis of superficial swellings in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 2016 May 16. The key points as stated in the abstract are the focus of the article here, but the full publication can be read by clicking on this link.

A total of 72 buffalos were examined during this study, all suffering from swellings in various regions of their bodies, the majority of these being located within the abdominal wall and limbs. Using ultrasound imaging, the researchers were able to differentiate between the assortment of swellings, identifying that the majority fell under the category of abscesses, with other swellings such as hernias and tumours also being discovered. Interestingly, the researchers explained how ultrasound imaging was a very efficient and effective method of analysis, with the classification of each swelling type being assessed with both high sensitivity and specificity. This paper is yet another demonstration of how using ultrasonography within the animal kingdom can be beneficial, with the now familiar advantages such as rapidity and non-invasiveness being cited. It follows on that future studies will, in conjunction with veterinary ultrasound imaging, be able to help in the elucidation of treatments of any one particular ailment that may afflict the buffalo (particularly in relation to swellings such as those looked at throughout the study).

It appears that there really is no limit to how ultrasound technology can be applied, and that the outcomes of studies such as the one featured today should hopefully serve to aid in veterinary medicine and science. If you would like any information on ultrasound scanners, or you are considering embarking on your own veterinary ultrasound journey please don’t hesitate to contact us.