There are numerous indications for ultrasonography. The information obtained during a comprehensive examination can help narrow the differential list and can often rule out disease processes. When ultrasound is used in combination with needle aspirate and/or biopsy techniques, a definitive diagnosis can often be obtained.
Indications For Ultrasound
- Abdominal Masses
- Adrenal Disease
- Ascites
- Coughing
- Heart Murmurs
- Icterus
- Pancreatitis
- Porto-Systemic Shunts
- Renal Diseases and Renomegaly
- Thoracic Masses
- Urinary and Prostate Disease
- Abdominal Pain
- Anemia and Thrombocytopenia
- Behavioral Changes
- Diarrhea
- Hematochezia
- Intestinal Diseases
- Pericardial Effusion
- Pregnancy
- Retrobulbar Masses
- Thyroid/Parathyroid Disease
- Urinary Incontinence
- Abnormal CBC and Chem Values
- Anorexia
- Cardiomegaly
- Dyspnea
- Hematuria/Stranguria
- Metastasis Check
- Pleural Effusions
- Prostatomegaly
- Splenomegaly
- Trauma/Hemorrhage
- Uterine Disease
- ADR of Unknown Origin
- Arrhythmias
- Core and Fine Needle Biopsies
- Endocrine Disorders
- Hepatomegaly
- Ocular DisordersPoyluria/Polydypsia/Polyphagia
- Recurrent UTI’s
- Testicular Enlargement
- Unexplained Weight Loss
- Vomiting
Echocardiogram Considerations
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- 30-40% of ALL dogs with CVD develop Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension affects dogs with chronic airway and lung disease, chronic degenerative valve disease (CVD), heartworm disease, and other diseases such as Cushings that can lead to a hypercoagulable state and pulmonary thromboemboli.
- Symptoms such as coughing, exercise intolerance and collapse and can mimic other conditions. Symptoms may not occur until late into the disease progression
Chronic Degenerative Valvular Disease
- CVD remains the most common heart disease of small and medium sized dogs
- Using echocardiography to measure precise metrics allows for the determination of when to start pimobendan based on the 2016 EPIC study.
- Starting pimobendan too early is strongly associated with adverse myocardial and functional effects including myocardial hemorrhage and increased mitral regurgitation
- Starting pimobendan as indicated based on the criteria from the EPIC study (LA:AO ratio, normalized left ventricular internal diameter) is safe and well-tolerated and can significantly extend a patient’s life expectancy
More Information
- Effect of Pimobendan in Dogs with Preclinical Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease and Cardiomegaly: The EPIC Study—A Randomized Clinical Trial
A. Boswood, J. H€aggstrom, S.G. Gordon et al. J Vet Intern Med 2016;30:1765–1779 - Comparative Adverse Cardiac Effects of Pimobendan and Benazepril Monotherapy in Dogs with Mild Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease: A Prospective, Controlled, Blinded, and Randomized Study. Valérie Chetboul, Hervé P Lefebvre, Carolina Carlos Sampedrano et al. J Vet Intern Med. 2007 Jul-Aug;21(4):742-53.
- Prevalence and Prognostic Importance of Pulmonary Hypertension in Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease. M. Borgarelli, J. Abbott, l. Braz-Ruivo et al. J Vet Intern Med. 2015 Mar-Apr;29(2):569-574.
