Tillotson Equine                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

              Internal Medicine Mobile  Services

    Image of an enlarged medial branch

    of the suspensory ligament on a

    performance horse

We now have the ability to capture digital ultrasound images that can be saved in the horse's record, sent to a specialist for consultation or simply emailed to you, the client, for prosterity.

Uses of ultrasound as a diagnostic imaging tool are many.  Today ultrasound machines are light and can be taken in the field.  All you need is electricity.  Check below for a brief overview of the uses of ultrasound in different body systems.

Reproductive:  Ultrasound is used most commonly to stage the estrus cycle for breeding purposes and confirming early pregnancy.  Other uses include identifying uterine or ovarian pathology and monitoring fetal heart rates in late gestation.

Musculoskeletal:  In the performance/sport horse industry, joint, muscle, tendon and ligament injuries are quite common.  In some cases, ultrasound is the best tool to allow the veterinarian to pinpoint the site of injury and identify the severity its severity.  The ability to follow the progression of the injury over time enables the vet to report healing is complete.  This is invaluable when trying to decide whether or not it is safe for return to exercise.

Lungs:  Lung disease in the horse can be mild such as a cough and runny nose from the common cold.  More severe cases of lung disease can result in bronchopneumonia or pleuropneumonia where there is accumulation of large amounts of fluid in the chest.  Ultrasound is great for evaluating the outer surfaces of the lung. 

Abdominal:  The horses abdominal cavity is too large to be completely evaluated using ultrasound however much of the important structures are closed to the surface and with a specialized probe can be evaluated.  Remember the definition of the word, colic, is "abdominal pain."  Colic is a vague term but ultrasound can narrow down the problem by allowing the vet to see parts of the intestine as well as other organs such as the kidneys, liver, spleen and bladder. 

Ocular:  Ultrasound allows visualization of deep structures involving the eye. 

Heart:  Ultrasound of the heart, also called echocardiography, allows identification of structural changes in the heart and is most often performed at veterinary schools or large equine hospitals by veterinarians specializing in cardiology. 

Miscellaneous:  Checking for blockages in veins, evaluating the depth of the wound, identifying abscesses under the skin or deep in the muscle are just some of the other less common uses of ultrasound in the horse.

Last modified: 12/30/09