Focused Ultrasound of Vascular System in Dogs and Cats-Thromboembolic Disease

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2021 Nov;51(6):1267-1282. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.07.013. Epub 2021 Sep 14.

Abstract

In small animals, point-of-care ultrasound can be used by nonradiologist sonographers to identify thrombosis at several anatomic sites. Dogs and cats are well-suited for vascular interrogation using ultrasound because of their small body size. Ultrasound can be used to investigate targeted vessels based on clinical signs. The safety and tolerability of the examination makes this a useful modality to evaluate critical patients for evidence thromboembolic disease. Once vascular imaging techniques are learned they can be easily coupled with other point-of-care examinations such as focused cardiac ultrasound, Vet Blue, AFAST, and TFAST.

Keywords: Clot; Point-of-care ultrasound; Thromboembolism; Thrombosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
  • Cats
  • Dog Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
  • Dogs
  • Point-of-Care Systems
  • Thromboembolism* / veterinary
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary