Virginia Equine Imaging

When veterinarians or horse owners are surveyed about the problems they see in today’s horses, lameness usually ranks in the top two concerns (generally with colic).

Diagnostic imaging allows veterinarians to see inside a horse’s body without the need for surgery. X-rays are probably the best-known type of diagnostic imaging, but many others are available to help diagnose illnesses and other health problems in horses.

Have you noticed changes in your horse’s gait? Are they showing signs of fatigue or are disinterested in exercising? Equine laminitis is inflammation of the sensitive and insensitive laminae in the horse’s feet and generally occurs bilaterally in the front feet.

Thrush is a bacterial infection, and one of the most common diseases, affecting horses’ hooves. You will likely know it when you see — and smell — it. The pungent, tar-like black discharge collects in the sulci, or grooves, along the sides of the frog, the triangular structure that covers about 25 percent of the hoof’s bottom.

If you are a long-time horse owner, you may be familiar with traditional parasite control strategies.