For those in a rush, here are the core principles Ana covers in this 55-minute deep dive:

1. The "Knobology" of a Clear Image

• Frequency Matters: Learn why lower frequencies (1.5–5 MHz) are needed for deep penetration in large dogs, while higher frequencies provide the resolution needed for superficial structures.

• The Focal Zone: Most vets ignore this. We show you how moving the focal zone to the exact level of the organ improves image quality instantly.

• Gain vs. TGC: Understand the difference between increasing overall brightness (Gain) and adjusting for attenuation at specific depths using Time Gain Compensation (TGC).

2. Probe Selection & Handling

• Curvilinear vs. Linear: When to use the "sector-shaped" curvilinear probe for wider fields of view vs. the Linear probe for detailed intestinal or ureter checks.

• The "Pen Grip": Why holding the probe like a pen offers optimal control for superficial structures compared to grabbing it with a full fist.

3. Interpreting the "Grey": Artifacts & Terminology

• The 7-Point Reporting Checklist: A framework to describe every lesion: Number, Location, Size, Shape, Margination, Echogenicity, and Echotexture.

• Friend or Foe? (Artifacts): How to distinguish a "Clean Shadow" (stones/bone) from a "Dirty Shadow" (gas/foreign bodies).

• The Mirror Image: How to stop diagnosing a "thoracic mass" when it is actually just a reflection of the liver caused by the diaphragm.

4. The "Unfair Advantage" (Patient Prep)

• Sedation is Safety: Sedation doesn't just relax the patient; it stops panting and "aerophagia" (swallowing air), which is the #1 cause of gas-filled, non-diagnostic scans.

• Don't be shy with clippers: You need to clip from the xiphoid to the pubis, and even into the intercostal spaces for deep-chested breeds.