Ultrasonographic assessment of abnormal pregnancy

• Published in: The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice Vol. 28; no. 4; p. 849
• Main Author: England, G C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-07-1998
• Subjects: Abortion, Veterinary - diagnostic imaging; Animals; Cat Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Cats; Congenital Abnormalities - diagnostic imaging; Congenital Abnormalities - veterinary; Dog Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Dogs; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Female; Fetal Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Fetal Diseases - veterinary; Fetal Resorption - diagnostic imaging; Fetal Resorption - veterinary; Gestational Age; Litter Size; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - diagnostic imaging; Pregnancy Complications - veterinary; Pregnancy, Animal; Ultrasonography, Prenatal - veterinary
• ISSN: 0195-5616
• DOI: 10.1016/s0195-5616(98)50081-2

Ultrasonographic imaging is widely used in small animal practice for the diagnosis of pregnancy and the determination of fetal number. Ultrasonography can also be used to monitor abnormal pregnancies, for example, conceptuses that are poorly developed for their gestational age (and therefore are likely to fail), and pregnancies in which there is embryonic resorption or fetal abortion. An ultrasound examination may reveal fetal abnormalities and therefore alter the management of the pregnant bitch or queen prior to parturition. There are, however, a number of ultrasonographic features of normal pregnancies that may mimic disease, and these must be recognized.