18/03/2021
An interesting article I found on one of my Fb groups!
There has been an influx of ultrasound scanners for canine pregnancy over the last few years and it has come to light that the qualifications of scanners have been unclear.
Ultrasound in any aspect requires a few things..
Training of some description.
Equipment that is fit for purpose.
Adequate insurances to scan commercially.
Experience.
So for those looking to be scanners it is advised to do your training with a reputable company, purchase reliable equipment from a source that gives the ability for UK servicing/warranty and repairs, acquire failsafe insurance and spend a period of time (as reccomended by reputable training providers) to gain scanning experience before charging or claiming true competency.
Also ensure you are using the correct title when advertising your services.
If, as a scanner, you have attended courses such as VIS/Smartchip/private 121's and gained a certificate then for valid insurance, should there be a claim, you can advertise as certified by ******* as 'competent to detect canine pregnancy via ultrasound'.
**Please be aware that Sonographers are people who have attended university and gained a degree in ultrasound technology**
If you have a bitch that requires a scan to confirm or detect pregnancy then you are advised to check that the scanner offering their services has the relevant experience, equipment and insurance. The later will be invalid should the scanner be claiming to hold a higher qualification than has actually been gained.
It is recommended to use an experienced, reputable scanner as their experience is often invaluable in the event of a dog presenting with infection, bladder issues, pyometra, reabsorption and water babies etc.
This is not to say that new scanners should not be used and everyone has to start somewhere and some new scanners are very talented. However it is always wise to ask how much experience they have and confirm that correct insurance is in place.
An additional thing to be aware of is what is expected of the owner and scanner at the time of the process.
Should you dog be inefficiently restrained/under control/calmly at the time of the scan, (especially within your own home) and causes damage, to either the scanner or their equipment then you may be liable for damages.
Reasonable steps should be taken to maintain adequate control of your dog, so it is recommended that you have at least a collar and lead available for the appointment or you may find it more costly than expected.
The average ultrasound probe alone costs over well £1500 in addition to the machine itself and any injury compensation to the scanning personnel.
Breeders should also be aware that an ultrasound showing those lovely, big, clear gestational sacs at 30 days post ovulation, may provide a count of 5 and look considerable on the screen. However these gestational sacs are actually often only 3mm in diameter inside you dog and still have a huge journey ahead of them.
***No scanner can guarantee puppies from an ultrasound scan and can ONLY CONFIRM PREGNANCY ON THAT DAY***
Scanners are not then in control or responsible for your bi***es ongoing biological process following the scan.
Ultrasound scanners can be invaluable for detecting pregnancy, providing accurate timelines for c sections and raising an early alarm/indicator if they spot a problem.
They are not qualified to diagnose, so should always refer to a vet if any anomaly is found.
An inexperienced, inadequately qualified scanner can equally be a costly mistake if they miss a vital sign.
This is just purely an awareness post to assist both scanners and their potential clients.
There are a considerable amount of scan pictures and videos posted regularly presenting incorrect settings, findings and information which is quite alarming. Often with bowel, bladder, kidneys being incorrectly identified as puppies and gestations incorrectly calculated using the wrong settings. Nobody wants this.
I hope this has been of some help to those scanning, wishing to scan and requiring a scanner.
