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Services
Computed Radiography
Lameness Evaluation and Treatment
Ultrasonography
COMPLEMENTARY OR INTEGRATED THERAPIES In recent years, the use of acupuncture and chiropractic has become increasingly more common to successfully treat a variety of conditions, especially in the equine athlete. These therapies are often very effective when used together. According to ancient Chinese medical philosophy, disease is the result of an imbalance of energy in the body. Acupuncture is believed to balance this energy by affecting certain physiological changes with the insertion of needles at specific locations, and thereby assist the body to heal itself. Acupuncture has been used in veterinary practice in China for at least 3,000 years to treat many conditions. Acupuncture can stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm, and cause the release of hormones such as endorphins (one of the body’s pain control chemicals) and cortisol (a natural steroid), all of which have positive, healing effects on the body. Most equine veterinary acupuncturists use a combination of techniques to stimulate acupuncture points. Acupuncture is a very safe medical procedure when administered by a qualified practitioner. Most animals are comfortable with acupuncture therapy and become very relaxed during treatment. Acupuncture has been used successfully to treat many acute and chronic conditions including: musculoskeletal problems, such as muscle soreness and back pain, neurological disorders including laryngeal hemiplegia, gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea or impactions, and other chronic conditions such as anhidrosis, heaves, asthma, uveitis, and skin problems. Clinical trials indicate acupuncture may also be effective in performance enhancement and prevention of disease.
The basis of chiropractic therapy is that proper function of the musculoskeletal system allows the rest of the body, particularly the nervous system, to function properly as well. When this happens, the body is able to heal itself, fight disease, and maintain optimal health. A chiropractic adjustment is applied to a vertebral subluxation complex, where the joint between two vertebrae has lost its flexibility. The goal of the adjustment is to restore normal mobility to the joint, thereby stimulating normal neurological reflexes and reducing pain and muscle spasm. Chiropractic should be considered for any horse that suffers from neck or back pain, joint stiffness, poor performance, or an altered gait that is not associated with overt lameness. Chiropractic care is appropriate in the maintenance of joint and spinal health which is important for the equine athlete.
Fuji Computed Radiography (CR) provides advanced technology in equine digital radiographic imaging. The x-ray is taken using specialized cassettes that transmit the acquired images to a computer workstation. Images can be viewed on the workstation in less than 1 minute, and the veterinarian can adjust the image for contrast and brightness, as well as magnify, rotate, manipulate, reverse to a negative image, and optimize the image detail, often allowing preliminary diagnoses to be made within a few minutes. Fuji Computed Radiography is the same system that is used in many specialized human hospitals for their imaging needs. Images are uploaded to a web-based server archival system and/or burned to CD to keep on file in our offices.
Digital radiography (DR) is cutting edge technology that eliminates film and allows instant viewing of x-rays on a computer screen. The difference between digital radiography and traditional radiography is comparable to the difference between digital photographs and film photographs. The detail revealed through digital imaging is superior to standard film, making this technology the future of radiography. Images can be read immediately and can also be manipulated to provide optimal contrast and brightness. The use of digital radiography also allows electronic storage of images, and the x-ray images can be e-mailed to owners or other veterinarians, and stored at our off-site, web-based archives, or burned onto CDs.
DYNAMIC ON-TRACK VIDEO ENDOSCOPY Dynamic endoscopy can now be successfully performed on the racetrack. Using state-of-the-art technology, we are now able to diagnose upper airway abnormalities that can only be observed while the horse is exercising. The equipment is well tolerated by the horse while galloping at up to full speed. The veterinarian performing the examination views the airway images on a remote video monitor while a digital video recording is made of the entire examination on equipment contained within a backpack carried by the rider. Excellent image quality can be acquired and a concrete diagnosis can be made of nearly all upper airway abnormalities.
An endoscope is a small flexible fiber optic tube that allows the veterinarian to have direct visualization of internal structures in the horse and is a key tool in the diagnosis of many airway conditions. Portable fiber optic endoscopes are commonly used to determine whether or not the horse has experienced exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (bleeding) after breezing or racing. In addition, endoscopic examinations allow the veterinarian to evaluate the upper respiratory tract to diagnose problems such as dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP), epiglottic entrapment, laryngeal paralysis, etc. Nearly every purchase examination includes an endoscopic examination to evaluate airway function. (For more in-depth information about DDSP and epiglottic entrapment, visit our Newsletter Archives for a two-part article by Dr. Sara Langsam in the October 2006 and January 2007 issues.)
LAMENESS EVALUATION AND TREATMENT
Lameness is one of the most common reasons for poor performance in the equine athlete. Lameness diagnosis of the racehorse is an area that requires extensive hands-on experience and knowledge of current therapies and treatments. Thorough physical exams, lameness exams and a combination of diagnostic joint and nerve blocks are often used to help determine the injured or abnormal area in a horse exhibiting lameness or decreased performance. Other diagnostic modalities used in lameness evaluations are radiography and ultrasonography. Treatments can include therapeutic joint and tendon sheath injections, shockwave, acupuncture, chiropractic and many other options.
A veterinary examination of a horse you are considering for purchase is a wise and sound investment. TFB offers this service for horses that are currently on the racetrack, in addition to yearlings and 2-year-olds at select sales in Florida, Kentucky and New York. (For more in-depth information about what is involved in these pre-purchase examinations, visit our Newsletter Archives to read the article about Veterinary Exams at Sales by Dr. Scott Hay in the April 2007 issue.)
Ultrasound is a valuable imaging tool used to examine soft tissue structures that do not image well on radiographs. Even though ultrasound waves are unable to penetrate through bone, they do provide good images of the surface of the bone, and therefore, ultrasound is an exceptionally useful tool for the evaluation and diagnosis of many areas of the musculoskeletal system, such as flexor tendons, suspensory ligaments, and joints and their associated supporting structures.
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| Copyright@2006 Teigland, Franklin and Brokken, DVM's, P.A. All rights reserved. | |||||
