Why Do Some Veterinarians Hang the Ultrasound Probe Around Their Neck?
By Dr. Geoff Carullo, DVM, FPCCP, DPCVSCA
If you’ve ever watched a veterinarian perform an ultrasound, you may have noticed that some briefly hang the ultrasound probe around their neck using its cable. While it may seem unusual, there is a practical reason behind this habit.
One of the biggest concerns during an ultrasound examination is accidentally dropping the probe. Ultrasound transducers are among the most delicate and expensive components of the machine. A single fall onto the floor can result in costly repairs or even permanent damage.
By looping the cable around the neck, the veterinarian creates a simple safety backup. If the probe slips from the hand while adjusting the patient or changing machine settings, it remains suspended instead of crashing onto the floor. It is essentially an extra layer of protection against accidental drops.
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This is especially useful in busy clinical settings where veterinarians often work alone, reposition restless patients, or quickly move between scanning and operating the ultrasound console.
Of course, whenever available, the probe holder built into the ultrasound machine remains the ideal place to rest the transducer. However, during active scanning, many experienced ultrasonographers develop their own workflow to keep the probe secure and immediately accessible.
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What may look unusual to an observer is often a habit developed from years of experience and a desire to protect equipment that can cost thousands of pesos to replace.
Sometimes, the simplest techniques are not taught in manuals. They are learned through daily practice, where preventing one accidental drop can save both time and a very expensive repair bill.
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Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
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