Cardiac & Abdominal Ultrasound

Cardiac and abdominal ultrasounds are valuable diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine, allowing detailed visualization of internal structures and aiding in the diagnosis of various conditions. Here are common conditions for which these ultrasounds are used in pets:

Cardiac Ultrasound (Echocardiography)

1. Heart Murmurs
• To determine the cause and severity of the murmur and assess heart function.
2. Congenital Heart Defects
• Conditions like Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), and Atrial Septal Defect (ASD).
3. Cardiomyopathy
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
4. Valvular Heart Disease
• Mitral valve disease, tricuspid valve disease, aortic stenosis, and pulmonic stenosis.
5. Pericardial Effusion
• Fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac around the heart.
6. Congestive Heart Failure
• To evaluate heart function and monitor treatment response.
7. Endocarditis
• Infection of the heart valves or inner lining.
8. Pulmonary Hypertension
• Increased blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.
9. Arrhythmias
• Abnormal heart rhythms that may require structural evaluation.
10. Heart Tumors
• Tumors such as hemangiosarcoma that can affect the heart.

Abdominal Ultrasound

1. Liver Disease
• Hepatitis, liver tumors, hepatic lipidosis, and cirrhosis.
2. Kidney Disease
• Chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, polycystic kidney disease, and kidney tumors.
3. Bladder and Urethral Conditions
• Bladder stones, tumors, cystitis, and urethral obstructions.
4. Gastrointestinal Issues
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), foreign bodies, tumors, and intussusception.
5. Pancreatic Disease
• Pancreatitis, pancreatic tumors, and cysts.
6. Spleen Disorders
• Splenic masses, torsion, and hematomas.
7. Reproductive Conditions
• Pyometra, pregnancy, ovarian cysts, and tumors.
8. Adrenal Gland Disorders
• Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism), Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism), and adrenal tumors.
9. Abdominal Masses
• Identification and characterization of masses, whether they are tumors, cysts, or abscesses.
10. Ascites
• Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, which can be due to heart disease, liver disease, or cancer.
11. Gallbladder Disease
• Cholecystitis, gallstones, and mucoceles.
12. Lymph Node Enlargement
• Due to infection, inflammation, or cancer.