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Ultrasonographic evaluation of the abdomen is extremely useful in characterizing certain components of the disease process in the foal or horse with colic. The findings of the abdominal ultrasound can distinguish surgical and medical colic patients. It is a very useful non-invasive diagnostic tool and can be used to guide other techniques such as [[Abdominocentesis|abdominocentesis]] and [[Liver Biopsy - Horse|liver biopsies]]. It can be carried out trans-abdominally or trans-rectally. The latter scenario is useful for confirming andormalities palpated on prior [[Colic Diagnosis in the Horse#Rectal Examination|rectal examinations]]. This technique is limited in large horses as the ultrasound beam cannot penetrate further than 30 cm and some images can be obstructed by the gas within the ultrasound lumen interfering with the beam. In general, a 3.0-MHz or 5.0 MHz zector scanner is used. The 3.0-MHz scan head can penetrate deeper than the 5.0-MHz head but with a loss of clarity of the image. In adult horses, images of the large intestine can be achiever by scanning between the intercostal space, flank and the ventral abdomen. It may be possible to see a portion of the jejunum by scanning the midventral abdomen in some horses. In foals, it is possible to see both large and small intestine by scanning the ventral abdomen.  

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the abdomen is extremely useful in characterizing certain components of the disease process in the foal or horse with colic. The findings of the abdominal ultrasound can distinguish surgical and medical colic patients. It is a very useful non-invasive diagnostic tool and can be used to guide other techniques such as [[Abdominocentesis|abdominocentesis]] and [[Liver Biopsy - Horse|liver biopsies]]. It can be carried out trans-abdominally or trans-rectally. The latter scenario is useful for confirming andormalities palpated on prior [[Colic Diagnosis in the Horse#Rectal Examination|rectal examinations]]. This technique is limited in large horses as the ultrasound beam cannot penetrate further than 30 cm and some images can be obstructed by the gas within the ultrasound lumen interfering with the beam. In general, a 3.0-MHz or 5.0 MHz zector scanner is used. The 3.0-MHz scan head can penetrate deeper than the 5.0-MHz head but with a loss of clarity of the image. In adult horses, images of the large intestine can be achiever by scanning between the intercostal space, flank and the ventral abdomen. It may be possible to see a portion of the jejunum by scanning the midventral abdomen in some horses. In foals, it is possible to see both large and small intestine by scanning the ventral abdomen.