How ultrasound became a core tool in veterinary medicine
Ultrasound has moved from a niche imaging tool to a routine part of veterinary care, and the shift says as much about training and workflow as it does about hardware. In a recent overview for Veterinary Practice News, Lisa Ziemer, VMD, DACVR, traced how veterinary ultrasound evolved over roughly four decades from an experimental modality to an essential one in general practice, specialty care, and emergency settings. The article highlights the rise of smaller, more portable systems, higher-frequency probes for superficial structures, digital image storage, and remote consultation, alongside the growing use of point-of-care ultrasound, or POCUS, including AFAST and TFAST, to support rapid bedside decision-making. Dominique Penninck, DVM, PhD, DACVR, DECVDI, a longtime Tufts imaging leader recently recognized as Professor Emerita, stands out as one of the field’s early adopters and educators. (veterinarypracticenews.com)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the bigger story is that ultrasound’s value depends heavily on who’s holding the probe and how the findings are integrated with the rest of the case. The American College of Veterinary Radiology says ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice for many conditions, but also stresses that accurate identification and interpretation of abnormalities are highly dependent on training and skill. ACVR notes that radiology residents complete extensive ultrasound training, including a minimum of six months of intensive clinical work and at least 1,000 examinations, while a 2022 ACVR/ECVDI consensus effort sought to standardize full abdominal ultrasound exams in dogs and cats. At the same time, POCUS has expanded access by giving general practitioners and emergency teams a faster, more focused way to answer specific clinical questions, especially in unstable patients. (acvr.org)
What to watch: Expect the next phase of ultrasound adoption to center on standardization, training pathways, and how practices balance bedside POCUS with comprehensive exams and specialist review. (acvr.org)