Ultrasound, medically known as sonography, is a standard procedure in veterinary medicine alongside X-rays due to its simplicity and non-invasive nature. It can be used to visualize various internal areas of the body in two dimensions.
Ultrasound refers to sound waves that are above the range of human hearing. In an ultrasound device, electrical crystals are made to vibrate by an alternating voltage. The resulting ultrasound waves are transmitted to the tissue via the transducer of the ultrasound device. Depending on the density of the different body tissues, the sound waves are either reflected, absorbed, scattered, or passed through. The sound waves that return to the ultrasound device are converted into digital signals and displayed as an image. Tissues that absorb a large proportion of the sound waves (e.g., bones) appear black, while tissues that reflect the sound waves (e.g., fluids) appear white. Muscles, connective tissue, tendons, and other soft tissues appear in different shades of gray on the ultrasound image.
Ultrasound examination has a wide range of applications in veterinary medicine, as many tissues can be clearly visualized up to a certain penetration depth of the sound waves. The procedure is also painless and can be performed without anesthesia in most cases.
The most common ultrasound examinations include examination of the abdominal organs, gynecological examinations, and cardiac ultrasound with measurement of blood flow velocity (see article on echocardiography). In horses, tendons, ligaments, and joints, as well as the pelvis, neck, and back, are also frequently examined using ultrasound.
Ultrasound can also help to take targeted punctures (= tissue samples) from potentially altered organs or structures. In some cases, injections are administered under ultrasound guidance.
Small animals are placed on their back or side on the examination table for ultrasound examination. Anesthesia is not necessary in most cases. To obtain the best possible image, the area to be examined is shaved and degreased with alcohol. Ultrasound gel is used to improve contact between the transducer and the skin.
In horses, ultrasound examinations can be performed on the animal while it is standing. Depending on the examination, sedation may be necessary.
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