Vol. 2, Issue 4, Part A (2017)

Author(s): Ilayaraja Selvaraj, Arun A Sha and Puspendra K Singh

Abstract: Echocardiography is the accepted term for the study of cardiac ultrasound. It is a technique by which we can do the imaging of the heart with the help of ultrasonography machine with a suitable probe. These techniques provide valuable diagnostic information without risk to the patient as it is a non-invasive procedure. The M-mode, two-dimensional (2D mode), and Doppler mode are maximum practiced techniques in echocardiography. Since there is no need of anaesthesia and special restraining procedure, the echocardiography is well developed and has become an integral part of cardiac evaluation of humans, small animal practices and reptile medicine especially in ophidian as well. But due to the huge body size and need of special restraining procedure with anaesthesia this technique is not established enough in wildlife practice particularly in sloth bear that belongs to ursidae family. The objective of this study is to develop the procedure for assessment of optimal approaches of echocardiography in sloth bears such as instrument selection, patient preparation and positioning etc and establish a cardiac image catalogue. This will help to identify the normal echo-anatomy of the heart and possible measurements B mode and M mode for further evaluation of the normal echocardial anatomy and colour flow Doppler to understand the normal blood inflow and outflow of heart.