GRAY-SCALE ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE CANINE ABDOMEN

This manuscript demonstrates that gray-scale ultrasonography can be useful for the diagnosis of many canine abdominal disorders. It is safe, noninvasive, and requires minimal patient preparation. Size, shape, and location of abdominal organs can be determined readily. The unique physical properties of ultrasound allow detection and characterization of mass lesions and parenchymal pathology associated with abdominal organs. Ultrasonography can complement existing imaging modalities by adding information not obtainable by other methods. The effective use of ultrasound requires knowledge of its advantages, limitations, and how it complements other diagnostic procedures. The medical histories of four dogs were reported in order to illustrate proper application of ultrasound to clinical problems. Basic findings concerning ultrasound utilization for investigation of the liver, kidney, and caudal abdomen were discussed.