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Ultrasound Internship  

Notice to Candidates
The 2008-09 internship position has been filled. We appreciate the interest of all candidates in this year's application pool and hope that everyone was able to gain something valuable from their visit to UC Davis. We will begin recruiting for the 2009-10 internship position in the Fall of 2008. Pertinent deadlines for application will be updated at that time but will be similar to previous deadlines.

 

image
Ultrasound evaluation of the equine metacarpal region reveals a recent acute tear of the superficial digital flexor tendon in the upper right image. The lower right image reveals a tear of the proximal suspensory ligament in a Warmblood show horse.

 

UC Davis Large Animal Ultrasound Service

The Large Animal Ultrasound Service provides diagnostic imaging services 5 days per week. The majority of the service caseload is supported by the equine surgery service, therefore, a large percentage of ultrasound exams are musculoskeletal in nature; however, a wide variety of ultrasound exams are performed. The intern will receive training in sonographic evaluation of all areas, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiac, ophthalmologic and high speed treadmill evaluations of poor performance racehorses. The equine caseload consists of a variety of performance horses, including dressage, hunter/jumpers, endurance horses, western performance horses (cutting, reining, roping, barrel racing), pleasure horses and specialty breeds such as Peruvian Pasos. A working knowledge of performance horses is beneficial. There is little to no emergency duty. Emergency colic ultrasound evaluations are performed by the surgery resident on call. The large animal medicine service performs medical emergency ultrasound evaluations.

         
   
 
Biosound Technos
GE VingMed System Five Ausonics Impact  
         

The UCD Large Animal Ultrasound Service has a full range of equipment available for all aspects of equine, food animal and small ruminant ultrasound. We are fortunate to have two Biosound Technos ultrasound systems that allow us to evaluate 2 patients simultaneously with machines that excel at musculoskeletal and abdominal imaging. Transducers available include two 8-14 MHz linear transducers and a 5-10 MHz linear transducer for musculoskeletal use, a 4-8 MHz microconvex transducer for neonatal and small ruminant abdominal/thoracic imaging and two 2-5 MHz curvilinear transducers for adult equine abdominal and thoracic imaging. We continue to use the GE Vingmed System 5 ultrasound system, primarily for cardiac imaging for its unbeatable color Doppler imaging and excellent depth of penetration (30cm). The Vingmed also produces high quality musculoskeletal and abdominal images. Transducers available for this machine include a 2.5 MHz phased array transducer for cardiac imaging, 3.5 MHz and 5.0 MHz curvilinear transducers for abdominal imaging and a 10 MHz linear transducer for musculoskeletal and small parts imaging. Finally, we have retained an Ausonics Impact ultrasound system in our arsenal for teaching purposes and its unique ability to penetrate to 40cm of depth. We have 2.5 MHz and 3.5 MHz sector transducers, a 6.0 MHz rectal transducer and a 7.5 MHz linear transducer for the Impact.

 

Faculty: Mary Beth Whitcomb, DVM (Section Head)
  Betsy Vaughan, DVM
2007/2008 Intern: Karine Pader, DVM
2006/2007 Intern: Suzanne Brenner, DVM
2005/2006 Intern: Wade Tenney, DVM
2003/2005 Intern/Resident Betsy Vaughan, DVM
2002/2003 Intern: Agustin Almanza, MV
2001/2002 Intern: Katie Flynn, BVMS, MRCVS

 


Ultrasound evaluation of the equine pelvis with a focus on the ilial wing (left image) reveals stress fractures with callus formation in a Thoroughbred racehorse (arrows, center image) and a complete fracture through the ilial wing in a Warmblood gelding (arrow, right image).

Ultrasound evaluation of the equine pelvis with a focus on the tuber ischii (left image) reveals the normal appearance of its bony surface (arrow) and muscle attachments in the center image. A complete fracture of the tuber ischii (arrow) with secondary muscle tearing (arrowheads) is seen in the right image.

 

Large Animal Ultrasound Caseload (Academic Years)

Musculoskeletal 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007
     Metacarpal 265   262   199   155   124  
131
 
118
 
135
 
  Metatarsal 147   118  
102
 
93
 
100
 
77
 
93
 
89
 
  Pastern 105   139   126   116   110  
136
 
149
 
135
 
  Tendon Sheath/Joints 173   212   250   240   232  
287
 
322
 
255
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spine/Sacroiliac/Pelvis 40   47  
73
 
89
 
68
 
67
 
105
 
125
 
Thoracic (includes cardiac) 22   22  
34
 
34
 
20
 
25
 
34
 
30
 
Abdominal 112   115  
165
 
122
 
137
 
135
 
146
 
137
 
Ophthalmologic 10   17  
6
 
---
 
---
 
 
 
 
Food Animal ---   ---  
---
 
26
 
18
 
49
 
52
 
74
 
Miscellaneous Exams 44   60   100   56   72  
44
 
96
 
110
 
U/S Guided Procedures ---   ---   ---   37   53  
64
 
93
 
143
 

Total Ultrasound Scans 918   992   1055   968   934  
1015
 
1208
 
1233
 
Acoustic Shock Wave Treatments 235   321   153   83   114  
53
 
63
 
51
 
                       
 
 
 
Total Annual Cases 1153   1313  
1208
 
1051
 
1048
 
1068
 
1271
 
1284
 

 

Ultrasound evaluation of the equine thorax reveals severe pleural effusion in a 12-year-old Thoroughbred show horse with cranial mediastinal lymphoma (center image). The right image shows an area of consolidation with comet tail artifacts in a Warmblood show horse with pneumonia.

 

Acoustic Shock Wave Therapy

Acoustic shock wave treatments are also performed by the large animal ultrasound service. Shock wave therapy is used to stimulate healing and potentially reduce layup time in horses with musculoskeletal injuries such as stress fractures, bucked shins, suspensory ligament desmitis and distal sesamoidean ligament desmitis. Treatments are generally performed by the technical staff; however, the intern will be trained in the use of the acoustic shock wave machine. We are currently using the Minilith SL-1 acoustic shock wave machine manufactured by Storz Medical. The Minilith has the advantage of ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate treatment of the affected ligament or bone.

 

Acoustic Shock Wave Therapy - The Storz Minilith SL-1 Extracorporeal Shock Wave Machine is shown at left. A horse with hind suspensory desmitis is being treated in the upper right image. A horse with navicular disease is being treated in the lower right image.

 

Intern Clinical Responsibilities

Perform and interpret ultrasound examinations on patients presenting to the Large Animal Ultrasound Service under the direction of faculty from the Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences.
The intern will be involved in the clinical instruction of fourth year veterinary students during their senior year rotations.
The intern will be involved in the laboratory instruction of third year veterinary students in VSR 416L - Equine Ultrasonology.
The intern will assist with weekly Combined Imaging Rounds in conjunction with the large animal radiology resident(s) and students.
The intern will complete a 2-3 week small animal ultrasound clinical rotation near the completion of their internship. This rotation will give exposure to comparative ultrasonographic anatomy.
The intern will attend weekly Known Case Conference (KCC) with Radiology Service. Intern will interpret one Large Animal Ultrasound case weekly.

 

Ultrasound evaluation of the stifle in an 8-year-old Angus breeding bull with a grade 4/5 RH lameness reveals a severe tear of the lateral meniscus (right image). The meniscus is misshapen with an irregular and bulging abaxial surface (arrows). The large hypoechoic area within the meniscus is also consistent with tearing.

 

Intern Off-Clinic Time (approximately 20%)
Off clinic time is provided to allow the intern to pursue his/her individual research interest(s) under the guidance of faculty in the Department of Surgical & Radiological Sciences with the expectation of eventual publication in a refereed journal.
The intern will also have the opportunity to rotate through other departments, according to the interns' interests.
Attend veterinary courses in small and large animal ultrasound.
Vacation - Intern accrues 16 hours per month (24 days in a one year period)

 

Ultrasound evaluation of the right liver lobe (left image) reveals massive biliary distention secondary to multiple choleliths (arrows) that were found throughout the biliary tree in this 19-year-old Thoroughbred mare. The right image depicts Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis abscessation (large hypoechoic areas) in the left liver lobe of a 9-year-old Paint horse that presented for weight loss.

 

Requirements for Application
DVM or equivalent degree from a school of veterinary medicine
At least one year of private practice or internship experience
Demonstrated interest in large animal ultrasound
Application materials (see below)
Visitation strongly recommended

Application Materials
Application Form
Curriculum vitae
Letter of Intent
Three letters of recommendation
Veterinary Academic Transcript(s)


Application materials must be submitted by the submission date to:

Esther Finn, Resident Affairs Coordinator
Room 2019
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA 95616-8747


The 2008-09 internship position has been filled. We appreciate the interest of all candidates in this year's application pool and hope that everyone was able to gain something valuable from their visit to UC Davis. We will begin recruiting for the 2009-10 internship position in the Fall of 2008. Pertinent deadlines for application will be updated at that time but will be similar to previous deadlines.

Additional information regarding large animal ultrasound and the internship program may be obtained by contacting Dr. Mary Beth Whitcomb or phoning (530) 752-0290.

Related page: Diagnostic Ultrasound & Musculoskeletal Injuries in the Horse