Use of ultrasonographic examination in sheep veterinary practice

Abstract

This review describes the current, emerging and potential applications of ultrasonography in the field of firstopinion sheep veterinary practice. The most widespread application is pregnancy diagnosis, where both transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonography offer a highly sensitive tool for, among others, detection of pregnancy, identification of foetal number and diagnosis of uterine abnormalities, e.g., metritis. The diagnostic applications of ultrasonography for imaging the lungs, heart, male genitourinary system and superficial swellings are also described. Through review of recent research in sheep and by analogy from applications in other animal species, the potential role of ultrasonography in screening programmes for cystic echinococcosis or ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma, diagnosis of ocular and laryngeal disease and localisation of Coenurus cysts is explored.

İvesi Koyunlarında Gebeliğin Erken Teşhisi İçin Sığır Hızlı Görsel PAG ELISA Testi ve Transabdominal Ultrasonografinin Değerlendirilmesi

“…The positive and negative predictive values of transabdominal ultrasonography in standing position in the present study were 100% and 80%, respectively. The uterus could still be located in the pelvic cavity before the 40th day of pregnancy (Crilly et al, 2017). In the present study, the false negative results (two ewes were diagnosed false negative) were attributed to the uterus having not descended into the abdominal cavity at the time of pregnancy diagnosis.…”

The effects of saline water consumption on the ultrasonographic and histopathological appearance of the kidney and liver in Barki sheep

“…For example, hepatic function tests generally cannot differentiate metabolic disorders that lead to diffuse changes in the liver from other disorders that usually induce focal changes [ 9 ]. In contrast to liver and kidney function tests, ultrasonography is an accurate, quick, non-invasive and safe technique used for following kidney and liver abnormalities in small ruminants [ 8 , 20 ]. Ultrasonography has been used successfully to describe normal hepatic and kidney appearance in sheep [ 20 ].…”

The Diagnostic Challenges of Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma

“…Transthoracic ultrasonography may identify small tumours (>1 cm in diameter) even before clinical signs are evident [44]. Several authors recommend to perform an ultrasound examination of both sides of the thorax in any investigation of weight loss in sheep with or without respiratory signs [47,50] to neoplastic nodules may also be observed [49] (Figure 3B). Transthoracic ultrasonography may identify small tumours (>1 cm in diameter) even before clinical signs are evident [44].…”