Nursing Guide for Ultrasonic Testing of Dogs by Veterinary B-ultrasound Machine
The most common veterinary ultrasound examinations for dogs and small animals are the ultrasound shunt focus assessment examinations of the abdomen and chest (usually referred to as AFAST and TFAST, respectively) and lung ultrasound examinations. Each of these exams has its own goals, but are complementary when used together in patients, and it is generally recommended to complete all three of these exams in the test.
Generally, the veterinary B-ultrasound machine with curved probe (slightly convex) is used for ultrasonic detection of small animals such as dogs. The commonly used frequency setting range is 5 MHz for large dogs (> 20 kg), and small dogs (dogs and dogs). Cat ≤ 20 kg) 7 MHz.
Preparations for the use of veterinary B-ultrasound testing:
When testing, it is usually not necessary to shave, separate the fur, and then apply the couplant to the desired area. But sometimes in dogs, thicker hair results in poor image quality. If more details are needed, shaving can improve the image quality.
When using couplant, it is necessary to prevent the formation of air bubbles (especially when the hair is not shaved, because couplant may have air bubbles in the fur, which will affect the image quality).
The key points of specific scanning technology for dog detection by veterinary B-ultrasound:
When the dog is in the left and right lateral decubitus position (the most common position) or the sternum (hind legs are turned to the ultrasound examiner to allow entry under the xiphoid process and bladder area) or standing, a systematic four-view inspection is required (see the figure below). The 4 locations evaluated include:
To perform an ultrasound examination, the patient can be placed in the left and right lateral position, or the sternum can be scanned. This image shows the left side lying position. The 4 sites to be evaluated include the subxiphoid or diaphragm muscle (DH) site (1), the right lumbar collateral or liver and kidney (HR) site (2), located above the midline of the bladder or bladder colic (CC) site ( 3) and the left side of the waist or spleen and kidney (SR) (4). If the goal is to identify free fluids, a variation of the technique can be substituted, which can replace the gravity-dependent view for "flash" scanning (the dog in position 4 is in the left decubitus or the dog in position 3 is in the right decubitus ) Kidney assessment is not important. At each station, the ultrasound probes were initially placed longitudinally on the underlying organs, fanned out at a 45° angle, and moved 2.5 cm along the skull, tail, left and right.
1. The view of the subxiphoid or inferior liver (DH) is obtained by placing the probe behind the xiphoid process (approximately the ribs first come together on the ventral side) at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Point the tail of the probe toward the end of the patient. The lower view of the xiphoid process can evaluate specific target structures, including liver lobes, gallbladder (hypoechoic), hepatic membrane interface (visualized white hyperechoic curve line separating the abdominal cavity and thoracic cavity), heart and pericardial cavity, and pleural cavity. The transverse membrane is used to assess the patient's body fluid status.
Classical long-axis view of the liver under the xiphoid process. Liver, diaphragm muscle, stomach, hepatic vessels, portal vessels.
Liver and gallbladder are identified under the xiphoid process
2. Evaluate the left kidney and spleen (including the tail of the spleen, the left body wall and the area around these structures) from the left side of the waist or spleen-kidney (SR) view.
Left waist side or spleen-kidney view: shows the kidney (long axis) and the spleen, which are the two target organs identified at this location.
3. Located just near the midline of the caudal abdomen near the pelvis, the midline view of the bladder or gallbladder (CC) view can be obtained. The purpose is to identify the bladder, especially the apex and its surrounding area.
Midline of the bladder or half-moon gallbladder view: A longitudinal view of the ultrasound image of the bladder. Note that the bladder is filled with most of the image. Adjust the depth setting on the machine so that the bladder fills the entire screen. Make sure you can identify the apex and triangle of the bladder and can distinguish the colon from the back wall of the bladder.
4. The right side of the waist or liver and kidney (HR) view can assess the area between the liver and the right kidney, the right kidney, the small intestine and the right body wall and the surrounding area.
