How to Successfully Implement Ultrasound in Your Veterinary Practice

How to Successfully Implement Ultrasound Into Your Veterinary Practice

Ultrasound is one of the most powerful and versatile diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine—but in many hospitals, it’s underutilized or collecting dust. Why? It’s rarely due to technical limitations. More often, barriers like lack of training, workflow integration challenges and low team confidence are the real culprits.

Here's how to turn your ultrasound investment into a daily, revenue generating diagnostic solution without the overwhelm.

1. Buying the Machine is Just the Beginning

💡 Don’t just buy it—try it.

Before purchasing, request demos and test multiple systems. Make sure the machine complements your clinic’s needs, workflows, and patient types.

✅ Choose a distributor who provides:

• Pre-installed species- and probe-based presets
• A detailed quick-start guide
• Responsive tech support and onboarding training
• Warranty coverage and loaner availability during repairs 

📌 Pro Tip: If no one on your team knows how to freeze an image or save a clip, you’re not ready to rely on it for diagnostics.

Once your new machine arrives, consider keeping a utility machine for procedures like cystocentesis to protect the transducers.

2. Prioritize Training & Embrace the Learning Curve

You won’t master ultrasound in one 3-day course. Every scan is different, and growth comes from repetition, mentorship, and clear learning structure.

✅ Look for training programs that offer:

• Multi-day, hands-on training sessions

• Tiered learning (beginner, intermediate, advanced)

• Follow-up support through ongoing mentorship and case coaching

🤝 Partner with a local mobile ultrasound provider to help manage advanced or complex cases. This builds your confidence, extends your skillset, and keeps diagnostic revenue in-house.

3. Build Confidence Through Case Submissions

A major barrier to ultrasound adoption is the fear of “doing it wrong.”

✅ Send your scans (even the early ones) for teleradiology interpretation.

• Feedback from specialists accelerates learning and builds confidence

Look for a teleradiology provider that offers:

• Educational teleradiology: Learn while getting answers
• Mentorship-style reads: Ask questions to get clarity
• Annotated reports: Get images with pathology markings to learn along the way

4. Prep Like It Matters (Because It Does!)

Rushed or poorly prepared scans waste time and reduce image quality. Set your team, and your patient, up for success.

Prep tips:

• Always shave (click here for tips)

• Alcohol first, then gel (lots of it!)

• Adjust lighting and select machine presets

• Sedate when needed (download our guide!)

• Ensure proper restraint—movement ruins image quality

5. Scan With a Purpose

Before every scan, ask:

• What's the clinical question?

• What's our scanning protocol?

• Are we capturing stills, clips, or both?

• Who’s reading the scan?

• How fast do we need results?

🎯 Consistency is everything.

Use structured protocols to guide every scan:

• Start with a system: e.g., bladder → spleen

• Cover core organs: stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas

• Right-side essentials: kidneys, adrenals, GI tract

• Use templates/checklists: Download: Abdominal Scanning Protocol

6. Charge What It's Worth

Ultrasound isn't a quick add-on, it's a skilled diagnostic service.

✅ Price it accordingly

✅ Educate your staff on its value

✅ Build ultrasound into your templates

Clients are far more likely to invest in ultrasound when it’s presented as an intentional, structured diagnostic approach, not just "an extra thing we can try."

To help support consistent recommendations, we’re including a graphic that outlines common clinical indications for ultrasound. 

7. Commit to Ongoing Training

Yes, you should go back for more. Ultrasound is a clinical muscle, it gets stronger the more you use it.

🎓 Expand your skills with focused, advanced training:

• Foreign body detection

• Hepatobiliary system

• Renal and ureteral imaging

• Adrenal gland identification

• GI tract navigation

• Cross-modality (Ultrasound + CT) case reviews

🧠 Keep pushing your edge—move into the next-level group.

Bottom Line

Ultrasound isn't just a tool—it’s a workflow.
With the right training, structure, and mindset, it becomes one of the most valuable diagnostic assets in your hospital. Not an expensive paperweight.

Need Help with Protocols or Specialist Access?

Our team is here to support you. Whether you need mobile imaging services, hands-on training, or educational teleradiology, we can help you build a program that works.

📩 Let's get started. Fill out the form below and a team member will connect directly with you!