Nuclear Scintigraphy

Scintigraphy is a tool used to evaluate the horse to obtain clinically useful metabolic information. It is used primarily to help with difficult lameness issues. Nuclear medicine involves the intravenous administration of a radioisotope, which after circulating through the horse binds preferentially to areas of bony change or soft tissue inflammation. The radioisotope emits radiation, which is captured by a gamma camera and is then converted to a two-dimensional image. “Hot spots” or areas of increased radioisotope uptake can then be further evaluated with other diagnostics to form a more complete clinical picture of the patient. The horses are required to stay in the hospital for 24 hours following initial injection. After they are evaluated for radioactivity they are allowed to leave the hospital. The radioisotope is 95% to 97% decayed after 30hours.

Digital Radiology

Digital radiology is the capture of radiographs in a digital format. The Eklin system has been used at Equine Services since March of 2003. This system allows for almost instant viewing of the radiograph. The software also allows for enhancement and printing of radiographs. The quality of the images is superior and reveals detail that would require numerous traditional radiographs. The Eklin system is also portable allowing for viewing of the radiographs at the farm, and reducing the number of retakes. Following the initial capture of the images they are downloaded to a server for storage. Workstations have large high-resolution monitors and software that allows for further image enhancement.

Laboratory Services

The veterinarians at Equine Services have access to the laboratory within the clinic 24 hours a day. Bluegrass Veterinary Lab is equipped to run hematology, serum chemistries, blood gases, cytology, bacteriology, parasitology, and Coggins testing. Bluegrass Vet Lab is equipped with two Idexx serum chemistry machines and two Drew Scientific hematology machines. The lab is also equipped with all the technology required to prepare whole blood for use in the IRAP system. We also have daily access to several labs in the area that perform tests not routinely done at Bluegrass Vet Lab.

Ultrasound

Equine Services is equipped with both digital and traditional ultrasound. This allows for excellent diagnostic capability in the clinic and in the field. Ultrasound is used in reproduction, lameness, abdominal disease, thoracic pathology, as well as for the evaluation of masses and swellings. The clinic is equipped with portable G.E. ultrasounds which have color flow and pulse wave Doppler, 3-D imaging capability, and video loop storage capability.

Endoscopy

The clinic is equipped with 1 meter and 3 meter videoendoscope technology. This allows the clinician to evaluate many anatomical structures that would otherwise be unavailable for visual inspection. Endoscopy is used to evaluate many structures including the upper respiratory tract, the stomach, the uterus, and the urinary tract. It is also used routinely in many surgical and medical procedures.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI

An exciting technology has arrived at Equine Services. We now have the Universal Systems Universal Vet - MR Grande. This unit has an open 0.3 tesla magnet with the ability to rotate 90 degrees. During MRI, horses will be placed under general anesthesia. MRI allows the diagnosis of both bone and soft tissue pathology that was not previously seen with other modalities. This exciting technology allows us to better diagnose difficult lameness and will provide information that will lead to appropriate treatment and prognosis of pathology.