THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 31, 1994 TAG: 9408300168
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
WHEN MISTY THE Lhasa apso developed a life-threatening fever, her vet did every thing possible to find the problem. Blood tests and X-rays showed no abnormalities.
Still, the dog's condition worsened. That's when Dr. Sandy Williams III was called in.
Williams found and diagnosed Misty's problem in about 10 minutes. The little dog had a bacterial infection around one of her heart valves.
It sounds like a simple diagnosis, but it wouldn't have been if Williams hadn't leased an ultrasound machine six months ago.
With the machine he was able to see all of Misty's heart valves to measure where and how much blood was flowing. He was able to see and measure a white gap around one valve that indicated thickness and branching, which in turn indicated infection.
``The information is so valuable, that's the thing I need to get across to other vets,'' said Williams, a New Jersey native who now lives in Kempsville Lakes. ``In the future, every practice will have to have an ultrasound machine. The public will demand that.''
Williams, 36, is so confident in the abilities and usefulness of the ultrasound, that he's started a mobile ultrasound business - Tidewater Veterinary Mobile Ultrasound. He'll go to any area veterinarian office to perform and diagnose ultrasounds.
He began leasing the machine about six months ago and has performed at least a hundred tests since then. Currently, he works full time as the veterinarian in charge at the Animal Medical Clinic of Chesapeake on Battlefield Boulevard.
He uses the machine in his day-to-day work, but also packs the computer-sized device into his car and goes to different offices when he's called upon.
He has diagnosed kidney stones, heart problems, bladder problems, detached retinas, liver problems and, in a lot of cases - pregnancy.
Williams doesn't make house calls, but he will meet a patient at a vet's office. He said the public's most popular use of the machine and his services will likely be to diagnose pregnancy.
``This just gives information that's so valuable,'' he said. ``For example, a liver with a cyst? There's no way you can tell that with an X-ray.''
Williams charges $85 to $100 for an ultrasound. There are no mileage costs or extra fees. The machine he uses is the same portable machine used on humans. He does the ultrasounds outside of his Chesapeake office on Tuesdays or evenings and sometimes weekends. Serious cases can be sent to his office for daily diagnosis.
Williams is also trying to set up seminars with local kennel clubs and pedigree associations.
He attended a two-day radiology course in Indiana and a 10-hour course in Washington to learn how to use the machine and read the images.
He first thought of an ultrasound machine when he had to refer customers to an out-of-town animal hospital or to Richmond to get their ultrasounds.
``I needed to make this accessible to anybody,'' said Williams, who with his wife, Karen, and children have two cats and a gerbil.
They moved here from New Jersey two years ago because the doctor had plans to buy a local veterinary practice. When those plans fell through, he began working with the Chesapeake vet and also began the mobile ultrasound business.
His ``dream'' he said is to build the business up enough so that he can have technicians go out and do the ultrasounds and he can practice veterinary medicine in his own office.
He has dreamed of becoming a veterinarian since kindergarten.
``If one thing is going to make me a success, it's that I take the time to explain (to people) to let them know for sure exactly what is wrong. I offer the best of care in every single situation, even if I have to send you to another vet or university.'' MEMO: To reach Dr. Williams at home call 671-9045; to reach him at the Animal
Clinic of Chesapeake, call 548-2000.
ILLUSTRATION: Photos by L. TODD SPENCER
Dr. Sandy Williams III, who has started a company called Tidewater
Veterinary Mobile Ultrasound, uses his equipment on a cat named
Lafayette. He works full time at Animal Medical Clinic of Chesapeake
but will go to any area veterinarian for a pet in need of his
services.
Williams leased this portable ultrasound machine six months ago and
has already used it to perform at least a hundred tests since then.
by CNB