Importance and Prospects of Ultrasonic Examination of the Lungs in Small Cetaceans

Ultrasound diagnostics in stranded wild dolphins allows for the rapid identification of a number of underlying problems and prompt initiation of treatment. Ultrasound diagnostics for animals kept in captivity is no less important. Regular clinical observation and chest ultrasound examinations can effectively detect most diseases at an early compensatory stage, without waiting for a sharp deterioration in condition or decompensation [2-4]. In this regard, radiographic examinations are inferior to ultrasound due to their ability to assess only the overall condition of the chest cavity, the high cost and safety issues associated with using the equipment, and the impossibility of regular dynamic assessment due to the constant exposure to ionizing radiation [1]. This paper presents a method for ultrasound examination of the respiratory system in both wild and captive marine mammals. The non-invasive nature of this method and the potential for detailed real-time assessment of