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Ultrasound on Animals

How Ultrasound is Improving the Lives of Animals

Sonography is increasingly becoming important in healthcare. But it is not only used on human patients. More and more veterinary settings are performing ultrasounds on their feline, canine and other animal patients as well.

An article from the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography’s magazine News Wave (“Increasing Demand for Veterinary Sonography Creating Opportunities for Sonographers” by Beth W. Orenstein) opens with how Fern Ann Delaney, RDMS, performs significantly more ultrasounds on animals compared to 13 or so years ago.

When Delaney first began as a sonographer at the University of Wisconsin in Madison’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, she was only really busy once a week with around five cases that particular day. “These days, she does between eight and 10 cases a day – everyday – and on a variety of animals from cats and dogs to ferrets and snakes,” wrote Orenstein in the 2011 article.
Animal ultrasound
Orenstein’s article also described the mobile sonography service performed by a Eugene, Oregon-based sonographer, Tomie Timon, RDMS, RVT. Timon travels to various vet clinics and hospitals to perform abdominal ultrasounds and echocardiograms on five or six patients (like birds, dogs, snakes and guinea pigs) a day.

Furthermore, therapeutic ultrasound is growing in importance to benefit animals. For example, Jennifer Brooks in her Equine Wellness Magazine article “Making Waves” (2010) describes how she performs therapeutic ultrasound on horses. (Brooks first became a human physical therapist and then further specialized to become an equine rehab therapist).

Ultrasound’s Growing Use In Animal Healthcare

Since ultrasound is non-invasive and non-radiographic, is increasingly becoming more portable and is cheaper than other imaging technologies, (like CT and MRI technologies), sonography is becoming ever more popular a tool in animal healthcare. And it is not just sonographers or ultrasound technicians that perform the imaging tests on pets. More and more, veterinarians are also performing sonography.

Pursuing Your Training

Equine UltrasoundWhat are the requirements for veterinary ultrasound technicians?  Veterinary professionals can take continuing education courses through numerous colleges, universities and associations to gain essential skills in ultrasound.

If you are considering pursuing a career as a veterinary tech, you’ll notice that numerous degree programs include at least one course in diagnostic imaging ultrasound.

The Veterinary Support Personnel Network (VSPN) encourages veterinary technicians to become trained in sonography as well.

“Veterinary technicians can increase their worth to a practice by learning these techniques,” stated the VSPN. “Acquiring the ultrasound image requires training, but you do not need to be a veterinarian to be a good ultrasonographer”.

The International Veterinary Ultrasound Society (IVUSS) promotes research and provides education in diagnostic ultrasound in veterinary medicine.  You can learn more about the veterinary ultrasound certification program, including a program overview and prerequisites on their website.

Whether you are a pet owner, an aspiring sonographer, or a longtime vet, find out how ultrasound is already employed in your community. Discover how it can benefit you personally, professionally and most importantly, the animals you love.

Ultrasound Physics: How To Master The Challenging Concepts

Ultrasound Physics: How To Master The Challenging Concepts

Candice Sellers, B.S., RDMS – Contributor Students attending ultrasound school consistently report that ultrasound physics is one of the most difficult courses in their program. It’s a required course and one that is important to master. Below you will find study tips and tools available to students to help them focus and hone in on How I Mastered Ultrasound Physics

Tips For Avoiding Musculoskeletal Injuries in Sonographers

Tips For Avoiding Musculoskeletal Injuries in Sonographers

By Adrienne Hardy, RDMS (Ab, Ob/Gyn) – Contributor According to the SDMS, 90% of sonographers will sustain a work related musculoskeletal disorder; 20% will have a career ended because of the injury. With numbers this high it seems like it’s an inescapable truth that you must scan in pain or get injured at some point, Most Common Injuries in Sonographers

Surviving and Thriving in Sonography School

Surviving and Thriving in Sonography School

By Adrienne Hardy, RDMS (Ab, Ob/Gyn) – Contributor As I sat in my entrance interview for sonography school the professors spattered me with questions: “Do you have enough savings? What is your home like? How do you manage your time? Do you have someone who cares about your success and will support you in hard Surviving and Thriving in Sonography School

Interview with Sonographer Carlos Reveles, RDMS

Interview with Sonographer Carlos Reveles, RDMS

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Carlos Reveles, a high risk Ob/Gyn sonographer.  In this interview, Carlos shares with us what led to him being recently recognized as a standout sonographer by his employer, and what it’s like being a male in a traditionally female field.  Welcome Carlos! Hello my Name is Carlos Explore Carlos’s Sonography Journey

Passing the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation Exam

Tips on Passing the SPI

Adrienne Hardy, RDMS (Ab, Ob/Gyn) – Contributor I clicked submit on the SPI physics exam and ran out the the room. The test proctor handed me a piece of paper with a huge scared looking picture of myself taken before the exam, my ARDMS number and the results of my SPI examination. My hand shook as Passing the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation Exam

Stressed Sonography Student

How To Manage The Stress of Ultrasound School

Candice Sellers, B.S., RDMS – Contributor The Ultrasound School Experience Ultrasound school is a very exciting and rewarding experience. The excitement of finally reaching your goal of getting accepted into an accredited ultrasound program is certainly a tremendous milestone! However, there will be moments of frustration and stress that will occur during your journey in How I Managed Stress While in My Sonography Program