Foal US In The Field

Question 1

Indications for ultrasounding a foal -7

Answer 1

Colic, patent urachus/swollen umbilicus, fever, elevated WBC, history of failure of passive transfer, bacteremia, septicemia

Question 2

Trans-abdominal ultrasound

• left (5)
• right (4)
• ventral (4)

Answer 2

L- stomach, small intestine, ventral colon, spleen, kidney
R- Colon, cecum, liver, kidney
V- Colon, small intestine, urinary bladder, peritoneal fluid

Question 3

Meconium impaction 
– when occurs 
– where to image
 - what is seen on radiographs
 - what is seen on ultrasound

Answer 3

– First 24 to 72 hours post foaling
– Caudal abdomen, standing foal
– large, gas filled colon
– hyperechoic colon wall (edema, difficult to visualize other structures)

Question 4

Enteritis
- what is seen on ultrasound
– three clinical signs

Answer 4

– Distended, non-motile loops of small intestine, mild to moderate peritoneal effusion
– any aged full, significant abdominal pain, diarrhea, spontaneous nasogastric reflux

Question 5

Sonographic findings of clostridial enteritis

Answer 5

Hyperechoic walls of small intestine and stomach because of the gas being produced by the bacteria there

Question 6

Patent urachus

Four important structures to visualize

Answer 6

Umbilical vein, pair of umbilical arteries urinary bladder, urachal stump

Question 7

Five problems to look for during a thorax ultrasound

Answer 7

Plural thickening (comet tails), plural abscess, plural space fluid, consolidated lung, rib integrity