Ultrasound

We have wide-ranging ultrasonographic capabilities, with machines specifically designed for thoracoabdominal (chest and abdomen), orthopaedic, ocular, and cardiology evaluations, depending on your horse’s needs.

Abdominal ultrasonography 

Our ultrasonograph allows the internal organs including liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach and other areas of the gastrointestinal tract to be assessed. This is usually done from the external abdomen but occasionally ultrasound examination via rectal examination will be needed e.g. where the ovaries, uterus or other areas of the central abdomen need to be assessed.

We use this imaging technique to investigate horses that have developed weight loss, recurrent colic, diarrhoea or where blood tests have identified abnormalities that may be localised to a particular organ.

Ultrasound-guided biopsies can be performed where samples from an organ need to be obtained for assessment by our team of on site specialist veterinary pathologists.

Musculoskeletal ultrasonography and radiography 

We can perform a full range of assessments of the musculoskeletal system including the neck, legs, back and pelvis.

This enables us to perform further assessment of the soft tissues and bone, including lameness and poor performance cases, horses with neck pain or certain abnormal neurological signs or where abnormal masses and swellings have developed. Options for treatment based on the findings can then be discussed.

Ultrasound-guided treatments like steroid injections can also be undertaken. In some cases, further advanced assessments may be advised following the initial assessment and options for this including costs can be provided.