Ultrasound has become one of the most valuable tools in modern animal care. From confirming pregnancy to identifying complex medical conditions, it allows breeders and veterinary professionals to gain real time insight into animal health.

What many people discover once they begin using ultrasound is that it is a skill that continues to develop. The more you learn, the more possibilities open up. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced veterinary professional, further training can help you improve accuracy, confidence and diagnostic capability.

For those looking to develop their skills, one organisation dedicated to excellence in ultrasound education is the Animal Ultrasound Association (AUA).

Founded by PUM founder and head sonographer Catherine Stowell, the AUA is a non profit organisation committed to raising standards in animal ultrasound training worldwide. The association is unique in that its courses are written and delivered by a qualified sonographer; as far as we are aware, it is the only training provider where this is the case.

This ensures that training is grounded in real clinical practice and delivered with the depth of knowledge that comes from years of professional scanning experience.

Beginning Your Ultrasound Journey

Many people first become interested in ultrasound because they want to confirm pregnancy in dogs or cats while keeping animals calm and comfortable. For breeders especially, reducing unnecessary veterinary visits can minimise stress for the animal and make pregnancy monitoring far more convenient.

However, ultrasound scanning requires proper technique and understanding. Beginners need to learn how to position the probe correctly, recognise reproductive anatomy and interpret what they see on the screen.

Training also teaches important practical skills such as measuring developing embryos or foetuses to estimate gestational age. Knowing approximate due dates allows breeders to prepare properly for whelping and ensure everything is ready when the time arrives.

For beginners or those with some experience but lacking confidence, the AUA offers the VIP Scanning Academy. This comprehensive programme teaches canine and feline pregnancy scanning through 26 professionally filmed lessons. Students learn how to operate their ultrasound machine, identify pregnancy and develop the confidence to begin scanning independently.

The programme also includes lifelong support and mentorship from qualified sonographers, helping new scanners continue improving long after completing the course.

Developing Confidence With Pregnancy Scanning

Once basic scanning skills are established, many people want to expand their understanding of reproductive ultrasound. At this stage, scanners often become interested in recognising the different stages of pregnancy more clearly, identifying foetal structures and understanding when something may not look quite right.

While some of this is addressed in the VIP Scanning Academy, for veterinary professionals, the Companion Animal Pregnancy Scanning course goes further to develop this deeper level of understanding. Led by sonographer Catherine Stowell, the programme guides veterinarians, veterinary nurses and scan technicians from beginner to full confidence in confirming and monitoring pregnancy in dogs and cats. The course explores common pitfalls, practical scanning techniques and the interpretation of pregnancy scans so that clinicians can begin offering pregnancy scanning services within a short period of time.

Breeders working with livestock can also benefit from the Ultrasound for Goat and Sheep Pregnancy course. This self paced programme covers ultrasound physics, scanning techniques, gestational development and image optimisation, helping livestock breeders develop reliable pregnancy scanning skills.

Those who prefer practical learning may also attend the Hands On Training in Canine and Feline Pregnancy Scanning course on pre-scheduled event days at the AUA ultrasound laboratory in Bromley, South East London.

Expanding Into Broader Diagnostic Ultrasound

As ultrasound users gain experience, many begin exploring applications beyond pregnancy confirmation.

Scanning can reveal incidental findings that may require veterinary attention; conditions such as pyometra may occasionally be identified during pregnancy scanning and require prompt referral. Post whelp scans can also help assess uterine recovery and ensure that the reproductive process has progressed normally.

Veterinary professionals looking to broaden their diagnostic capabilities can benefit from the Small Animal Abdominal Ultrasound course. This hands on training programme teaches systematic abdominal examination techniques, including scanning organs such as the liver, spleen and gastrointestinal tract. Participants learn how to identify fluid, gas and mineralisation, and how to correlate ultrasound findings with overall patient health.

Advanced Ultrasound And Cardiac Imaging

For experienced veterinary professionals, ultrasound can expand into even more specialised areas of diagnostics.

Advanced machines equipped with Colour Doppler technology allow clinicians to examine blood flow and evaluate cardiovascular function. These techniques form the foundation of echocardiography, which is increasingly used to investigate heart murmurs and assess cardiac disease in dogs and cats.

The AUA offers several programmes for professionals interested in developing cardiac ultrasound skills. The Introduction to Echocardiography module provides an accessible starting point, teaching the basic cardiac views needed to recognise major anatomical landmarks.

Veterinarians who wish to progress further can take the Confidence With Small Animal Echocardiography course. This programme is designed to help clinicians perform their own echocardiograms and begin interpreting cardiac findings in clinical practice.

More advanced learning is also available through Clinical Decision Making with Echocardiography and Advanced Techniques in Small Animal Ultrasound, which explore complex diagnostic scenarios and Doppler assessment of placental and foetal blood flow.

Continuing Support And Expert Guidance

Across all AUA courses, participants benefit from ongoing mentorship and expert guidance. Many programmes include Facebook community support groups, drop in sessions and lifetime access to course materials, allowing scanners to continue developing their skills as their experience grows.

This long term support reflects the philosophy behind the organisation: ultrasound is not a skill that is mastered in a single course but one that evolves with practice and continued learning.

Choosing The Right Ultrasound Machine

Training and equipment go hand in hand when developing ultrasound skills.

At PUM, we are always happy to discuss your experience level, ambitions and budget. Our team can help guide you towards the most suitable ultrasound machine for your individual needs.

With the right training and the right equipment, ultrasound becomes a powerful tool that continues to grow in value throughout your professional journey.