Ultrasonographic Techniques Applied to Non-Domestic Species

Abstract

Ultrasonography is a non-invasive approach for exploration of morphology, topographic anatomy, and biological processes in non-domestic animals. This imaging technique is still under-utilised in wildlife medicine. Ultrasonography provides reproducible real time images, cross-sectional imaging of tissues, organ structures, and motion. Images may be used for morphometrics, documentation, and preservation of data. Ultrasound imaging in veterinary sciences offers new information regarding embryonic development, uterine and ovarian function, muscle development, digestive process, where conventional experimental and dissection techniques are limited. The use of ultrasonography in different vertebrate taxa is combined with characteristic features for applying this imaging technique due to the individual anatomical structures. Recently, miniaturised transducer technology has allowed the development of microprobes with compact, contoured shapes for access to unexplored anatomical regions in non-domestic animals. Many of the new probes offer colour flow imaging, which is an ideal tool for investigating fluid movements inside a body, e.g., blood flow or ingesta flow. Improvements in ultrasound technology and the development of new types of application techniques will certainly advance the progress of this imaging modality in veterinary sciences.