Lameness Evaluations

Lameness is any abnormality in a horse's gait which is an indication of a structural or functional disorder in one or more limbs of a horse that is apparent during motion or in the standing position. Lameness is most often due to a muscle , joint or bone abnormalities. How a lame horse is examined depends largely on the type of lameness. Some lameness cases are easily diagnosed by history, presentation and a physical examination. However, other lameness disorders (often mild lameness), may require joint flexions, diagnostic nerve/joint blocks, radiography, ultrasonography, nuclear scintigraphy and other diagnostic procedures.

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Pre-Purchase

A pre-purchase exam includes a physical exam, soundness exam, radiology, endoscopy, ultrasonography, routine blood work and drug screening. Each pre-purchase exam is tailored around the buyers needs and intended use of the horse.

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Digital Radiography Imaging System

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Ultrasound

Ultrasound is used for the evaluation of the soft tissue structures of the horse. Tendinous and ligamentous structures cannot be examined via radiographs. However, they can be imaged using a diagnostic ultrasound technique. A diagnostic ultrasonic image is formed by transmitting high frequency sound waves and reflecting these waves off of different tissue interfaces. Ultrasound is best used for deep penetration of muscles, nerve damage, tendon injury, trauma, bursitis and scars in contracted tissue.

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Shockwave Therapy

Extracorporeal high-energy shock wave therapy is a non-invasive and repeatable method of treatment with hardly any side effects that has been successfully used in the treatment of the locomotor apparatus of man for many years. Shockwave therapy is useful for a number of conditions causing lameness in the horse. These conditions include:

• Suspensory ligament disease

• Bowed tendons

• Ringbone

• Bone spavin

• Bucked shins

• Splints

• Fractured splint bones

• Sore backs

• Navicular syndrome

• Fractures not healing properly

During the treatment, a total of approximately 750-1500 shock waves are applied. The ultrasound localization and/or bio-feedback grid-scan technique employed allows the target area to be precisely scanned step by step and exposed to about 200-300 shock waves at a time. Treatment is generally started at a low energy level allow the horses to get used to the shock waves. In the course of the treatment session, the energy level can be gradually increased. The entire therapy takes about 20 minutes and is repeated two to three times, in an interval of three to six weeks, according to the diagnosis and the healing process. Slight sedation (by the administration of detemodine and/or butorphanol) has proved useful to calm the horse.

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Nuclear Scintigraphy

This type of nuclear imaging that uses a "radiopharmaceutical" which is injected into the blood stream. The compound concentrates in tissues where there is inflammation or increased cellular activity, such as a hair-line fracture within a bone or a high suspensory ligament strain. Scintigraphy can also be used to accurately evaluate navicular syndrome and spinal arthritis- two common problems where radiographs are not always capable of giving a definitive answer!

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Endoscopy

We are equipped with a 3-meter gastroscope and a 1-meter laryngic-scope, which allows us to examine the inside of the stomach for gastriculcers and to diagnose any disorders of the larynx and pharynx.
 

Stomach Ulcers

The only way to definitively diagnose ulcers is through gastroscopy (3-meter 9.8 feet), which involves placing an endoscope into the stomach and looking at its surface. To allow this, the stomach must be empty, so most horses are held off feed for 18 hours and not allowed to drink water for two to three hours prior to the procedure. With light sedation and possibly a twitch, the endoscope is passed through the nostril and down the esophagus into the stomach. The light and camera on the end of the endoscope allows the veterinarian to observe the lining of the stomach.

Stomach ulcers are quite common in horses: Approximately 9 of 10 racehorses get stomach ulcers Up to 93% of racehorses get stomach ulcers, regardless of age Almost 60% of other performance horses have ulcers Up to 57% of foals have stomach ulcers, particularly during the first several months of life 50% of horses with ulcers show no outward signs of gastrointestinal disease

Clinical Signs and Risk Factors of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS):
    

Clinical Signs Adults Factor  Acute colic Recurring colic  Excessive recumbency  Poor body condition Partial anorexia Poor appetite Poor performance/training Attitude changes Stretching often to urinate Inadequate energy Chronic diarrhea

Foals Diarrhea Abdominal pain Restlessness Rolling Lying in dorsal recumbency  Excessive salivation Bruxism Intermittent nursing Poor appetite

Risk Stress Transportation High-grain diet Stall confinement Intermittent feeding Intense exercise Racing Illness NSAID use Management changes

For more information please visit: Merial

Equine Stomach Ulcers: Study indicates even recreational horses at risk

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Upper Respiratory Exam

We use are 1-meter video-endoscope in upper respiratory exams to examine the larynx and pharynx in the horse.