Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Another type of contrast X ray is a pneumocystogram. In this type
of X ray, a catheter is placed through the urethra into the bladder. Urine
is drained out and air is instilled.The air provides contrast to the blad-
der wall and helps in visualizing the bladder lining and stones.
ULTRASOUND
Sound waves transmitted through body tissues produce ultrasonic
images. Ultrasound is an imaging technique that is better for evaluating
many of the soft tissue structures that are not well defined by X rays.
The most common uses for ultrasound are to evaluate the heart
(echocardiogram) and the abdominal cavity.
An echocardiogram is necessary to evaluate heart disease in cats.
This test can to measure the size and shape of the heart chambers, eval-
uate blood flow through the heart and the functioning of the valves,
and see through any abnormal fluid buildup in the chest cavity.
Abdominal ultrasound evaluates the liver, gall bladder, bile ducts,
stomach, kidneys, spleen, bladder, intestines and lymph nodes. It can
provide guidance for needle biopsies of organs. Most cats will tolerate
ultrasound without sedation. Shaving the body part to be evaluated is
necessary to obtain the best image.
Many private practitioners offer ultrasound in their hospitals.
Specialists and referral centers also provide the service.
ENDOSCOPY
Fiber optic scopes provide images of body parts that may not be easily
reached without invasive surgery.The scope is a flexible camera that can
enter into areas inside an animal. A scope can give your veterinarian a
direct look at internal tissue and guide a pinch biopsy or retrieve small
objects from the nose, main airways, esophagus, stomach, intestine or
colon, depending on its size.
Proper endoscopic evaluation requires general anesthesia and good
technique. The test is typically performed without a hospital stay.
Endoscopy is less invasive than surgery, but limited in the areas where
it can be used and the size of biopsies obtained.
BIOPSIES
A biopsy is a piece of tissue that is evaluated microscopically.There are
three common types of biopsies: needle, pinch and full thickness.
