The use of veterinary point-of-care ultrasound by veterinarians: A nationwide Canadian survey

This survey assessed how veterinary point-of-care ultrasound (VPOCUS), including abdominal and thoracic focused assessment with sonography for trauma (AFAST, TFAST), is used across Canada. Seventy-four veterinarians completed an online survey; 88% (65/74) used ultrasound, 94% (61/65) performed AFAST, and 69% (45/65) performed TFAST. Reasons for not performing VPOCUS included no machine/poor quality machine, lack of experience/confidence, and lack of training/education. Abdominal effusion, and pleural and pericardial effusion were the most frequently diagnosed AFAST and TFAST pathologies, respectively. Lung and cardiovascular ultrasound examinations were infrequently performed. Subpleural consolidation was rarely included in VPOCUS. Most respondents performed VPOCUS, with AFAST being more frequently and confidently preformed than TFAST. More training, education, and standardization of techniques appear to be key elements to help build confidence and experience, particularly with regard to TFAST applications and diagnosis.