Advanced Equine Diagnostic Imaging in New Jersey

B.W. Furlong & Associates utilizes a variety of advanced equine diagnostic imaging tools to more fully and accurately evaluate our patients for sources of illness and injury. Our primary tools include endoscopy, nuclear scintigraphy, radiography and ultrasonography, and standing MRI.

To schedule an imaging appointment, call us today at (908) 439-2821.

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is an imaging modality that allows us to evaluate soft tissue structures of the upper respiratory tract, such as the nasal passages, throat, guttural pouches, and trachea. A small tube is passed through one of the horse’s nostrils and into the desired area for viewing. The images produced with this method allow our team to visualize the airway as the horse breathes, and can be used to diagnose various respiratory issues and diseases. Endoscopy is also critical in the diagnosis and management of gastric ulcers in horses.

At B.W. Furlong & Associates, we offer upper airway endoscopy in the field using one of our portable fiber optic endoscopes. We can also perform upper airway endoscopy and gastroscopy in our hospital using videoendoscopy.

Nuclear Scintigraphy

Nuclear scintigraphy examination, commonly known as “bone scan,” surveys for areas of increased bone metabolism. The most common indications for a bone scan are complex or multiple limb lameness cases, but it can also be used to gather further information about regions that are difficult to image with more routine diagnostic tools.

Under light sedation, the horse is injected with a rapidly-decaying radioactive isotope that circulates through the body and attaches to areas where bones are remodeling. A gamma camera records these regions of increased bone activity, revealing what are referred to as “hot spots.” A bone scan can help us hone in on areas that may be contributing to lameness, poor performance, or abnormal behavior, which can then be investigated more specifically. It can also be used in a more targeted manner; for example, it can be used to determine if a certain finding seen on radiography is “active.”

Radiography and Ultrasonography

Radiography and ultrasonography are cornerstones of equine veterinary diagnostic imaging. Our portable digital radiography units can be used throughout our hospital and off-site to obtain high-quality diagnostic images, which can be readily shared to aid in efficient and accurate diagnosis. Our in-house radiography unit can penetrate larger areas such as the neck, back, and abdomen. This state-of-the-art equipment immediately archives images, which can be digitally shared to any other practice around the world, allowing for a faster diagnosis.

Ultrasonography allows our veterinarians to visualize various soft tissue structures and bone surfaces, diagnose orthopedic injury, and monitor healing. It’s also a valuable tool for examining internal organs, such as with colic and respiratory illness, monitoring the mare’s reproductive cycle, detecting pregnancy, and viewing the progression of fetal health and development. We can also perform a cardiac evaluation, including echocardiography, with our cutting-edge ultrasound equipment.

Standing MRI

Since its inception in 2004, Equine MRI of NJ has become the busiest magnet in the United States for evaluating distal limb orthopedic injury in horses. Studies are performed using sedation, eliminating the need for general anesthesia and its associated risks. MRI is the most comprehensive modality for evaluating the foot (the source of 80% of lameness in horses), and is also a useful tool for evaluating up through the fetlock and proximal suspensory regions.

Once a specific area of the lower limb has been identified as a potential lameness source, we use MRI to look for bone and soft tissue injuries by gathering information about anatomic and physiologic abnormalities in multiple planes.