Veterinary ultrasound is a relatively new imaging modality used to diagnose and monitor the health of animals. It has become an invaluable tool for veterinarians, allowing them to detect many different types of conditions without resorting to invasive or risky procedures. What makes a veterinary ultrasound different from those performed on human patients? Our team does, and we are happy to explain.
We will explore the differences between veterinary ultrasound systems and portable ultrasound machines designed for human use. These differences affect veterinary examinations and the processes that go into them. We’ll also discuss why veterinary ultrasound has become popular among veterinarians and pet owners. Finally, we’ll examine some advantages of using this cutting-edge technology in veterinary care.
Differences Between Human And Veterinary Ultrasounds
Veterinary ultrasound is different from ultrasound exams performed on humans in several ways. Other factors affect the exams, transducers, and probes.
Various Sizes
Veterinary ultrasound systems are designed for animals of various sizes. Why? Because patients range from small pets to large livestock and even exotics in zoos. Such accommodations mean that veterinarians can use ultrasound to take images of animals ranging from cats and dogs to horses and cows. In contrast, many ultrasound machines and systems have standard sizes that depend on their complexity and portability.
High-Quality Image Capture
Veterinary ultrasound systems typically have more advanced image-capturing capabilities, including Doppler imaging and color flow mapping. These features are not available on portable ultrasound machines designed for human use.
Various Probes
Most options for transducers and probes used for veterinary ultrasound are smaller than the ones used for humans. Some are meant for tiny animals like rodents, while others serve equines and bovines better. This explains why it can get images from animals of different sizes.
Advantages Of Veterinary Ultrasound
Why do some vets have ultrasound machines in their offices? They have plenty of advantages.
1. The ultrasound technology used in veterinary medicine is more advanced than its human counterpart, allowing veterinarians to detect various conditions that would otherwise go unnoticed.
2. With ultrasound, the veterinarian can quickly obtain images of internal organs and tissues, reducing the need for sedation. Some patients do not want to sit still and may become anxious in a medical setting.
3. The ultrasound images are also easy to interpret. They provide radiologists and veterinarians with more detailed information than traditional X-rays and CT scans.
4. Veterinary ultrasound is a much less expensive option for pet owners than in-depth X-rays. It often does not require the cost of anesthesia or hospitalization for routine checkups.
5. Veterinary ultrasound systems are also equipped with specialized software. Using this technology, radiologists and veterinarians interpret the results quickly and accurately.
Find Your Ideal Ultrasound System At National Veterinary Equipment
National Veterinary Equipment is more than ready to assist you with your search for an accurate ultrasound. We retail options for different clinic sizes and other patient capacities.
Please reach out to us today to learn more about our system options. National Veterinary Equipment can answer your questions about the ideal systems that will help your animal patients.