When your horse takes one bad step, then another and another, so many things run through your mind as to what could have happened and what will happen.
Utilizing the right diagnostic tools will help you figure out what's going on within your horse. Radiographs capture issues with the bones, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilizes the combination of powerful magnetic fields, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed images of the distal limbs, or everything below the knee and hock. The MRI is a powerful tool utilized to spot disease and damage in both soft and bony tissues.
Traditional MRIs require the horse to undergo general anesthesia, then being placed in a recumbent position so the distal limbs can be inserted into the machine's tubular core. However, the recovery process following general anesthesia can have potential risks for the horse.
Enter the Standing MRI (sMRI), which allows for high quality images with the use of light sedation instead of general anesthesia. The standing option allows for early and accurate diagnosis, with much less risk to the horse. Park Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., is now utilizing a modular Hallmarq Standing MRI which is available to clients looking for a safer option.
“It's a very needed diagnostic tool to have here in central Kentucky,” says Tonya Park, CFO of Park Equine Hospital. “When one of our personal horses needed an MRI, we did not want to lay him down under general anesthesia. After hauling out of state to the nearest standing MRI, we made the decision to partner with Hallmarq to offer a safer option for our clients and patients.”
Park Equine's highly qualified staff have been fully trained by Hallmarq specialists and are now accepting standing MRI appointments for clients and referral veterinarians. The images are read by a radiology service for a quick turnaround, offering answers to the concerns owners might have.
“We feel there is a considerable need for a standing MRI, not only in Kentucky but in surrounding states. Ensuring the health and well-being of our patients is our top priority, and we are pleased to offer this valuable service,” says Park.
Unlike larger equine hospitals in the area, Park Equine Hospital is a boutique-style hospital, where you'll find world class equine medical care in a small town setting. The staff at Park Equine strive to provide specialized personal care tailored to the needs of their clients and patients. The goal of Park Equine Hospital is to exceed their clients' expectations and provide excellent care to their horses.
Ambulatory and in-house services are offered for general medicine, sports medicine, lameness, general reproduction, advanced diagnostics, and comprehensive elective and emergency surgery.
Horses of all breeds and disciplines, from the champion performance horse to the backyard pony, benefit from individualized exams, advanced diagnostics, and alternative therapeutic therapies offered at Park Equine Hospital. The list of state-of-the-art diagnostics and therapies offered at Park Equine include Hallmarq Standing MRI, digital radiography, endoscopy, ultrasound, acupuncture, shockwave and regenerative laser
Park Equine Hospital is located at 5455 Lexington Road in Lexington. You can find more information about their new standing MRI and the hospital by visiting their website: http://parkequinehospital.com
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