Syllabus

Course Description

VETT 1013: Advanced Ultrasound. This course will be divided into basic, intermediate, and advanced ultrasound techniques. During each weeklong segment the student will spend six 8-hour days at the education facility in lecture and lab. They will then return to their veterinary practice and complete the segment by working on and submitting case presentations that will be evaluated by course instructors. Credit for the course will be given after successful completion of all four segments.

Following successful completion of all four components of this class, students will receive an Advanced Imaging Certificate of Completion from Cedar Valley College.

Course details (click here to go to complete course details)

This is an in-depth course covering basic through advanced ultrasound of the abdomen and heart. The course specifically covers ultrasound physics, imaging artifacts, equipment, scan planes and imaging protocols for 2-D, M-mode and Doppler imaging, normal and abnormal abdominal and cardiac physiology, and the pathophysiology of common canine and feline diseases.

Course Rationale

Imaging modalities, specifically ultrasound, currently comprise a substantial portion of comparative medicine, laboratory animal medicine, general veterinary practice, and veterinary specialty practice. There is a need for well-educated and competent technical personnel to assist in this arena. A competent technician trained in advanced ultrasound will contribute to the practice of better medicine by allowing the veterinarian to spend more quality time with the patient. This training and contribution to the practice can lead to a satisfying role for the technician.

Course Objectives

During the course, attendees will learn the principles and physics of veterinary ultrasound, use of equipment, set up and imaging protocols for abdomen and cardiac ultrasound exams, as well as anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of common canine and feline diseases.

Skills and Competencies to be Developed or Practiced (all are essential)

Office and Hospital Procedures and Client Relations

1. Inform clients of animal preparation for advanced imaging exams
   i.e., NPO, permission to shave, sedation if required, etc.
2. Read lab reports, digital x-ray results, history, and consult with veterinarian prior to imaging exam.
3. Establish or use current clinic protocol for reading and storage of images.
4. Maintain cleanliness of imaging equipment and any routine maintenance.

Communication

1. Develop effective communication skills with veterinarians who order imaging exams.

Examination Room Procedures

1. Determine and know temperature, pulse, and respiration for animal being imaged.
2. Restrain animals for imaging.

Imaging Techniques

Week 1

1. Identify and know proper use of ultrasound probes.
2. Sterilize and clean equipment using appropriate methods.
3. Set up equipment for an exam.
4. Prepare an animal for imaging exams.
5. Position patients.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of ultrasound machine knobology.
7. Learn and practice techniques for an abdominal ultrasound study.
8. Recognize normal ultrasound anatomy in the abdomen.
9. Understand basic abdominal organ physiology.
10. Become familiar with the pathophysiology of common abdominal organ diseases in the dog and cat.
11. Use proper labeling and measuring techniques.
12. Demonstrate computer skills needed to have cases evaluated between teaching weeks.

Week 2

1. Learn normal cardiac physiology and anatomy.
2. Learn and recognize anatomy from the right and left parasternal two-dimensional echocardiographic views of the heart.
3. Knobology: Demonstrate setup of equipment and how to "tweak" an image.
4. Learn pathophysiology and echocardiographic features of common acquired heart diseases in the dog and cat.
   • Canine - DCM, CVD, masses and pericardial effusion
   • Feline - The cardiomyopathies
5. Learn and practice right and left-sided views of the heart.
6. Learn M-mode and practice image acquisition and measurement.
7. Learn and practice techniques for the complete abdominal and 2-D/M-mode cardiac exam.
8. Create reports for exams.

Week 3

1. Knobology: Demonstrate how to "tweak" an image.
2. Learn the pathophysiology of selected abdominal organ diseases in the dog and cat.
3. Learn cardiac and abdominal Doppler and practice image acquisition and measurement.
4. Learn and practice techniques for the complete abdominal and 2-D/M-mode/Doppler cardiac exam.
5. Understand Doppler findings found in common acquired cardiac diseases in the dog and cat.
6. Identify normal vs. abnormal ultrasonographic appearance of abdominal organs and the heart.
7. Apply scanning principles learned to case study presentations.

Week 4

1. Learn pathophysiology and echocardiographic features of common congenital heart diseases in the dog and cat.
2. Understand Doppler findings found in common congenital cardiac diseases in the dog and cat.
3. Perform a complete abdominal and cardiac ultrasound study.
4. Apply scanning principles learned to case study presentations.
5. Identify small parts and noncardiac thoracic ultrasound anatomy.
6. Perform small parts and noncardiac thoracic ultrasound exams.