The 4 most common indications for veterinary ultrasound:

Heart murmur -- The presence of a murmur can be an indication of cardiomyopathy, congenital defects and more. Ultrasound can quickly qualify, and often quantify the severity of the condition.

Chronic Vomiting -- Frequent vomiting can be an indication of several pathologies including pancreatitis, IBS, and many more. An ultrasound study can provide information that normal radiography often cannot.

Abnormal Lab Values -- Elevated liver values/function tests and elevated BUN/Creat are frequently found on routine pre-surgical screenings and senior test panels.  Ultrasound can examine liver/renal tissue texture and can help determine if there is any structural abnormality or mass.  

Urinary Dysfunction -- Ultrasound's ability to easily visualize the urinary system makes imaging of the kidneys and bladder simple for quick diagnosis in many cases.  Common problems can be discovered long before symptoms become more serious.

The need for non-invasive diagnostics has never been greater.  Many of the cases you see every day could benefit from an ultrasound study:

 Radiographic

    •    Cardiomegaly

    •    Pulmonary Mass

    •    Mediastinal Mass

    •    Effusions

    •    Pulmonary Edema

    •    Ascites

    •    Organomegaly

    •    Mass Densities

    •    Calculi

Thoracic Cavity

    •    Ventricular Systolic Function

    •    Ventricular Diastolic Function

    •    Ejection Fraction

    •    Cardiac Chamber Size

    •    Cardiomyopathy

    •    Pericardial Diseases

    •    Cardiac Masses

    •    Septal Defects

    •    Congenital Cardiac Shunts

Biochemical

    •    Elevated ALT/AST

    •    Elevated Alkaline Phosphate

    •    Elevated Bile Acids

    •    Hyperbilirubinemia

    •    Persistent Azotemia

    •    Persistent/Intermittent Fever

    •    Elevated Amylase/Lipase

Clinical

    •    Coughing

    •    Congestion

    •    Muffled Cardiac Sounds

    •    Heart Murmurs

    •    Syncopal Episodes

    •    Exercise Intolerance

    •    Electrical Alternans

    •    Jaundice

    •    Ascites

    •    Pregnancy

    •    Organomegaly

    •    Cushing Disease

    •    Hematuria

    •    Stranguria

    •    Recurrent UTI

    •    Trauma Hemorrhage

    •    Chronic Vomiting

    •    Chronic Weight Loss

    •    Persistent Anorexia

    •    Progressive Abdominal Distention

    •    Palpable Masses

    •    Painful Abdominal Palpation

    •    Lymphadenopathy

Qualitative/Quantitative

    •    Testicular Enlargement

    •    Metastasis Evaluation (Except Lungs)

    •    Diffuse vs Focal Disease

    •    Unilateral vs Bilateral

    •    Pre-surgical Orientation

    •    Pre-Anesthetic Evaluation

    •    Avoid Unnecessary Surgery

    •    Increase Biopsy Specificity

    •    Define Disease Severity

    •    Baseline for Early Heart Disease