Abdominal Ultrasound Essentials: POCUS with Confidence

Abdominal point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become a powerful frontline tool in everyday first-opinion practice. This course takes you from the fundamentals of AFAST scanning through to interpreting findings confidently in real clinical situations.

Designed and taught by Dr Caroline Taylor, the course follows a clear, stepwise structure drawn directly from her practical teaching with vets in general practice. You’ll explore how abdominal POCUS works, how to optimise your imaging, and how to recognise both normal and abnormal appearances across all four AFAST sites.

Using labelled images, short videos, quizzes, and real-world scenarios, you’ll learn how to:

• Perform each of the four (and optional fifth) AFAST views with accuracy

• Recognise free fluid patterns across the abdomen

• Differentiate true pathology from artefact and normal structures

• Use the Abdominal Fluid Score (AFS) consistently in your clinical notes

• Apply findings immediately to guide triage, stabilisation, monitoring, and client communication

The course includes feline-specific adjustments, probe-handling refreshers, and guidance on where fluid tends to accumulate depending on patient position. By the end, you’ll have a reliable, repeatable scanning routine you can apply straight away.