Advanced Diagnostics
Advanced Diagnostics
At Advanced Equine of the Hudson Valley, our clients and their horses have access to extensive diagnostic services, which includes some of the most advanced technology and tools available. Our veterinarians strive to provide extremely thorough care, using our diagnostic capabilities to enhance lameness and performance evaluations, pre-purchase examinations, mobile sick horse appointments, and emergency treatments.
Advanced Diagnostic Services Available
Digital X-Ray
Digital x-rays are captured with only short radiation exposures and produce highly accurate digital images of internal skeletal structures. They are useful in a variety of veterinary situations, including evaluating dental pathology, lame, sick or injured horses and during pre-purchase examinations.
Digital Ultrasound (On Farm & In Hospital)
Our digital ultrasound is used to view internal soft tissues and structures including joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments, organs (abdominal, reproductive and thoracic), back, neck, and more. With ultrasound, our veterinarians assess organ function and joint structure, detect abnormalities, diagnose a variety of conditions. Ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate cardiovascular abnormalities, especially heart murmurs that may lead to poor performance. Ultrasound examinations of the heart (Echocardiology) can also be used to establish treatment plans and prognosis for cardiac disease.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is considered the gold standard for evaluation and diagnosis of soft tissue injuries in equine veterinary imaging. We may recommend an MRI when evaluating an injured horse or during the course of a lameness evaluation.
Nuclear Medicine (Scintigraphy)
Nuclear medicine (scintigraphy) harnesses the power of very small amounts of radioactive material to examine a variety of internal structures and organ function. In equine veterinary medicine, this type of scan is especially useful for localizing primarily bone and secondarily soft tissue inflammation that might result in lameness. It’s often used when evaluating sport horses that have hip, neck, or back soreness, multiple limb lameness and otherwise difficult to localize lameness. This modality is particularly useful in identifying fractures!
Advanced Diagnostic Services Available
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
CT scans use digital x-ray technology to produce images of consecutive cross-sections of tissue. Using computer software, these images can be put together to construct a complete, highly detailed 3-dimensional image of the area of interest. We often use CT scans to evaluate bone infections, complex fractures, bone cysts, dental problems, sinus disease, and other health conditions related to the bones and cartilage.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Tap
CT scans use digital x-ray technology to produce images of consecutive cross-sections of tissue. Using computer software, these images can be put together to construct a complete, highly detailed 3-dimensional image of the area of interest. We often use CT scans to evaluate bone infections, complex fractures, bone cysts, dental problems, sinus disease, and other health conditions related to the bones and cartilage.
Advanced Diagnostic Services Available
Lung and Respiratory Evaluations
We use a variety of diagnostic tools to assess a horse’s lungs and/or respiratory system and its function including ultrasound, endoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and trans-tracheal wash. With these, we are often able to diagnose and come up with an appropriate treatment plan for many respiratory conditions of which pneumonia, reactive airway obstruction (RAO or Heaves) and inflammatory airway disease (IAD), are among the most common.
Endoscopy
This diagnostic uses a lighted camera attached to the end of a tube and is most commonly used to view and evaluate a horse’s airway and upper gastrointestinal system.
We use a variety of diagnostic tools to assess a horse’s lungs and/or respiratory system and its function including ultrasound, endoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and trans-tracheal wash. With these, we are often able to diagnose and come up with an appropriate treatment plan for many respiratory conditions of which pneumonia, reactive airway obstruction (RAO or Heaves) and inflammatory airway disease (IAD), are among the most common.
Upper Airway and Video Endoscopy
Endoscopy allows our veterinarians to view the insides of a horse’s upper airway. This may be performed in a standing horse or dynamic endoscopy may be used to evaluate the horse during exercise can be invaluable in diagnosing odd respiratory noises.
Gastroscopy
Our veterinarians commonly use endoscopy to evaluate part of the horse’s digestive tract including the esophagus, stomach and proximal duodenum Gastroscopy is primarily used to diagnose gastric ulcers, which are a huge problem in horses, with a prevalence estimate of 25-50% in foals and 60-90% in adult horses and can impact performance, weight and general well-being. Additionally, it may be useful in diagnosing and evaluating esophageal stricture, gastric impactions, cancer of the proximal gastrointestinal tract, and gastric outflow obstructions. Biopsies can be obtained from abnormal tissue through the endoscope for histopathologic evaluation and diagnosis.
Full Laboratory Analysis
With access to reference laboratories and in-clinic blood analyzers, we’re able to perform complete laboratory analyses of samples including but certainly not limited too complete blood counts (CBCs), chemistry analyses, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen, lactate, specific disease testing, biopsy analysis (histopathology), fluid analysis, culture and sensitivity, urinalyses, and fecal floats.