Diagnostic Imaging

Both digital and computed radiography are offered at CVMC. A custom high power overhead radiography tube is used for imaging specialized equine anatomy such as the abdomen, thorax, spine, and the more proximal deep skeletal joints. One of our several mobile digital radiography units can be used stall side, in the field, or intraoperatively depending on the needs of each patient. All images are stored digitally on the CVMC server and can be easily emailed to any authorized and interested parties.

Myelography is a type of radiologic study utilizing radio-opaque contrast material to determine if spinal cord compression is present. The patient is anesthetized, a spinal needle is advanced into the spinal canal and contrast material is injected to highlight the outline of the spinal cord. Most often, this diagnostic study is recommended for horses with Wobbler's disease or spinal trauma to determine if further intervention including surgery or medical care is indicated. We offer sling recovery for any neurologic horse post-anesthesia to ensure the safest outcome for your horse.

More commonly known as bone scan, a small radioactive particle is injected intravenously and binds to sites of bone turnover and inflammation (osteoarthritis). Upon scanning the skeleton following injection, a subtle source of lameness including mild osteoarthritis, stress fractures, certain cancers and other difficult to diagnose causes of lameness can be determined. Alternatively, the use of different compounds and imaging schedules can allow the diagnosis of soft tissue and vascular injuries, infections, and urinary tract abnormalities.

Upper airway endoscopy is used to evaluate the upper respiratory tract including the throat (larynx), guttural pouches, and trachea, most commonly in horses with poor performance, abnormal respiratory noise, and nasal discharge or bleeding. The use of high definition imagery allows for the detection of even the most subtle abnormalities. In difficult cases where static endoscopy is not fully diagnostic, dynamic endoscopy can be performed to examine upper airway function while the horse is at work.