Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has revolutionised lameness diagnosis over the past two decades and is safe, fast and accurate. Our state of the art Hallmarq standing equine MRI system allows us to carry out scans of your horse without any risk to the patient. During this procedure, your horse will not need an anaesthetic and is scanned whilst standing under light sedation. Your horse’s shoes must be removed before entering the magnet (we can do this for you) to prevent any interference with the strong magnetic field.
MRI allows a highly detailed examination of the different structures of the lower limb, up to and including the carpus and hock. It is proven to be particularly useful in the evaluation of diseases of the foot, including the so-called “navicular disease” and in emergencies from penetrating injuries. This non-invasive procedure also provides valuable information about more proximal areas of the limbs such as fetlock, knee and suspensory ligaments. This enables us to make an accurate diagnosis and recommend a tailored and effective treatment plan for your horse, saving both time and money.
Most scans take between 2-4 hours and capture hundreds of images allowing us to interpret the results, in conjunction with any other clinical findings and diagnostic investigations, and produce a detailed report within 2-3 days of the scan.
To find out if MRI is suitable for your horse please call us: 01642 723 132
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