Ultrasound of the Feline Bladder: Introduction to POCUS and Its Value in the Diagnosis of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

Every bladder, every time! The use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasing in veterinary general practice, as ultrasound technology has become more accessible and user friendly. Many veterinarians want to implement ultrasound into practice but are unable to appreciate where to begin. The urinary bladder, with its readily accessible location and distinct sonographic appearance, is a great place to start. This session will focus on a basic POCUS skill - ultrasound of the urinary bladder. Learning how to scan the feline bladder will improve the veterinarian's diagnostic capabilities, increase job satisfaction for the veterinary technician, and elevate the level of care for cats with urinary tract disease, while helping to increase revenue for the practice. Basic scanning skills will be reviewed in addition to learning how to diagnose common lower urinary tract diseases. Finally, we will introduce ways to implement this new diagnostic skill into practice when presented with a cat experiencing urinary tract signs.