Ultrasonography of abdominal organs is an important and useful exam for diagnosis in internal medicine of small animals. It is indicated in all cases of abdominal enlargement with ascites, abdominal trauma, palpation of internal masses or organ abnormalities, hematuria or dysuria/anuria, anemia and biochemical abnormalities, evidence of a neoplastic process, severe abdominal pain, pregnancy diagnosis and suspicion of a problem in the reproductive system. Ultrasonography allows the clinician obtain images of the organs and to detect alterations of shape, size, structure and vascular system, to evaluate the presence of abdominal effusion, gastrointestinal motility and the viability of fetuses during pregnancy. It is usually not sufficient to identifythe nature of the lesions eventually found, but it is useful to guide the diagnostic process and therapeutic choices. Moreover it helps in taking biopsies and cytologic samples, usually without sedation of the animal. Dogs and cats tolerate ultrasonography very well because of its ease of execution and the fact that it is non-invasive.
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