VDIC

Cooper almost flew away during his visit with us yesterday

Lillie Mae was the most perfect patient today!

Raven was very brave for her visit yesterday - all 3.7 pounds of her 😊

Shorty was very helpful with check-ins this morning!

12-year-old Grizz keeping a keen eye on our operations 👀 This handsome ball of fluff was here for an echocardiogram, or imaging of the heart. He stole all of our hearts with his sweet smile 🥰⁠
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12-year-old Border Collie, Roulette, was referred to VDIC for further evaluation of the liver after her lab work showed low albumin and elevated bile acids. Imaging showed that her liver was normal in size and echogenicity with no changes except a benign hypoechoic patch. Her gallbladder wall was noted to be thick, likely edema secondary to effusion.

Evaluation of the GI tract, however, showed changes consistent with Protein Losing Enteropathy (PLE). Changes included hyperechoic striations in the wall of her jejunum and hyperechoic stippling in the mucosal layer of her intestine. We also noted fluid in her distal jejunum and some free fluid in her abdomen.

This case demonstrates the importance of taking a “whole picture” approach to diagnostic imaging and considering every possible cause for lab work abnormalities. By following the thread of Roulette’s findings, along with her clinical history and bloodwork, VDIC was able to provide her veterinarian the information needed to establish an effective treatment plan.

Liv (and her sideburns) had a sweet and sleepy recovery after her abdominal ultrasound 😴 Often, we use sedation to ensure patients are able to stay calm and comfortable during their procedures. Not only does this make ultrasound procedures much less stressful for our patients, but it also allows us to get the best possible images.

February 4th was , but at VDIC we’re committed to raising awareness about pet cancer year-round. Ultrasound plays a vital role in diagnosing and staging certain types of cancers, and monitoring the effectiveness of cancer treatments. ⁠
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Ultrasound is a quick, non-invasive way to visualize and identify cysts, tumors, and other abnormalities that might indicate cancer. Its application in veterinary medicine means diagnoses can be more accurate and less stressful for your beloved pet. ⁠
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At VDIC, we’re proud to bridge the gap between primary care veterinarians, veterinary oncologists, and any other member of your pet’s care team, acting as the light that guides their treatment plan. ⁠
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Angelic Abigail found a little time for sunbeam basking during her visit for an abdominal ultrasound ☀️ ⁠
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Medicine is often equated to working out a puzzle 🧩

There are many parts and systems working together to form the final picture, or diagnosis. Diagnostic tests like labs, imaging, and empiric therapies help us put the puzzle pieces together. Ultrasound helps us see these puzzle pieces in a new light, ensuring the interpretation points the clinician in the right direction.

However, the picture can't be completed if important pieces are missing or if some of the pieces are blank. That’s why it’s crucial to work up a case prior to ultrasound—to ensure we have all of the puzzle pieces before we try to make sense of the image.