PROFILE OF DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING METHODS AND CARDIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS USED IN DOGS AND CATS AT ELLO VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Diagnostic imaging methods and cardiological examinations are important tools in routine veterinary practice, assisting in the investigation and monitoring of abnormalities in dogs and cats. This study aimed to characterize the utilization profile of these methods in a veterinary hospital in Ceará, based on the procedures observed during an internship conducted from March 2 to May 8, 2026. A descriptive, observational study was conducted, involving a survey of the diagnostic examinations and procedures observed in the routine of Ello Veterinary Hospital, in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará, Brazil. A total of 528 procedures were recorded, with ultrasonography predominating (255), followed by radiography (98), electrocardiography (82), and echocardiography (67). Procedures including ultrasound-guided cystocentesis, computed tomography, and endoscopy were also observed, but at lower frequencies. The results demonstrated the widespread use of ultrasonography and radiography, as well as the contribution of cardiological examinations to the observed routine. It is concluded that the procedures observed demonstrate the diversity of diagnostic resources employed in the hospital routine during the study period. It should be emphasized that the data represent observed procedures and do not correspond to the number of animals attended.