Radiography & Ultrasound
Radiography and ultrasound are the most commonly used imaging techniques in horses and our vets have access to a full range of portable digital equipment. This is in addition to the technologically advanced machines available at our diagnostic centre. All images obtained from these techniques are stored digitally and are available immediately to our clinicians.
Radiography
Radiography is often the first imaging technique used to evaluate lameness by visualising bones and joints. Portable machines are frequently used to assess the lower limbs, including fracture injuries. Our state-of-the-art system at the diagnostic centre is very useful for imaging the upper limb, head, neck or back. However, in areas of the horse’s anatomy where there is more soft tissue cover, such as the pelvis and lower back, it may be used in conjunction with other imaging techniques such as scintigraphy.
Ultrasound
Veterinary ultrasound is very useful for diagnosing and evaluating a number of musculoskeletal conditions including joint, tendon, muscle and ligament injuries and it is effective for monitoring the healing process in these cases. Additionally it can be used for evaluating abdominal pain (tumours, cysts and abscesses), anatomical swellings, or for cardiology examinations.
Ultrasound is also routinely used to monitor broodmare reproductive cycles, for equine pregnancy detection (including twinning), and late pregnancy.
We have a range of portable ultrasound machines, as well as diagnostic centre-based machines, the latter being excellent for scanning the more difficult areas such as the chest and abdomen of the horse for the evaluation of heart or lung problems, or as part of examination in colic cases.