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Where Should Veterinary Research Dollars Be Spent? A Professional’s Perspective

US Equestrian asked Dr. Rick Mitchell–chair of the Foundation for the Horse, part-owner of Fairfield Equine Associates, and longtime equestrian–what he would like to see in the future of equine veterinary medicine.

His list included everything from imaging improvements to stall-side tests and better anesthesia for horses undergoing surgery. Mitchell said he would like to see additional funding for veterinary research, specifically for osteoarthritis, which can affect horses no matter their breed, discipline or use.

The veteran practitioner would like the industry to learn more about why arthritis begins and what can be done to prevent it from occurring; specifically, whether there are ways a horse can be managed and conditioned that might alleviate some of the risk of arthritis development. Mitchell notes that additional funding for this topic – and others – would do a lot for equine welfare.

Mitchell also said that owners and managers of sport horses would do well to learn more about soft-tissue injuries. He noted that suspensory ligament injuries are often not recognized early on, and that these injuries are easy to miss until the horse is chronically lame. Awareness of subtle soundness issues is key; Mitchell said that catching these issues early may require more frequent visits from the vet and a more critical look during an exam.

Read more about Mitchell's thoughts at US Equestrian.

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Prisma Partners With B.W. Furlong & Associates, Company To Receive Inaugural Imaging System

Prisma has come to mutually agreeable terms with B.W. Furlong & Associates to be the recipient of Prisma's first robotic imaging system. This agreement represents a significant milestone that validates the equine veterinary community's demand for Prisma's novel technology that produces full-body imaging of a conscious and standing horse.

“Our strategy in establishing relationships with some of the country's largest and most prestigious practices was twofold,” said Michael Silver, Prisma's founder and CEO.

“Firstly, these practices were an invaluable resource during the early development process that ensured that the system would work well for the equine patient. Secondly, as we approach commercial readiness, we want to have a few early systems out in the field to ensure they will function perfectly prior to scalable operations. Meeting or exceeding our customer's expectations is of paramount importance.”

Prisma and B.W. Furlong have been in discussions for nearly a year, during which time the advancement of the system's development and functionality were able to be demonstrated and documented.

“It's undeniable that Prisma's system's capability to perform distal limb and head C.T. imaging of a conscious horse, plus image the axial skeleton and abdomen represents a material advancement for equine diagnostics and their health and welfare,” said B.W. Furlong's founder Brandan Furlong, MVB MRCVS. “We've been able to monitor and vet the progress of the system's development and are excited by the prospect of getting their inaugural system. We're equally enthusiastic about having this technology to perform more comprehensive diagnostics and deliver exceptional patient care.”

Silver estimates that the system will be ready for installation by late 2021. Prisma is in discussions with several other top veterinary practices as additional potential candidates to receive one of its early systems.

Learn more about Prisma here.

Learn more about B.W. Furlong here.

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Diagnostic Tool Offers Medical-Grade Imaging In Standing Equines

Prisma Imaging has successfully developed a new system for equine diagnostic imaging that addresses the shortcomings of current technology. Founded in 2016, Prisma developed a system that captures CT and radiographic images of the entire anatomy of a standing, weight-bearing and conscious horse. The advanced imaging capabilities established through Prisma's research and development is different from anything available in the marketplace. The resulting system represents a game-changer for the overall effect on equine diagnostics and horse health care.

Other ventures have attempted to build equine CT systems but have been unable to provide a comprehensive solution to image the horse's entire anatomy. Other devices are repurposed human medical CT systems. Most systems require that the horse be under anesthesia, representing a risk to their health and safety. In 2015, another venture's attempt employed the use of robotics, but never developed a working system.

“Miscues in the industry demonstrate a strong demand for better equine CT imaging,” said Michael Silver, Prisma's founder and chief operating officer. “Building next-generation imaging to benefit the veterinary industry and horse health is the core of Prisma's mission.”

Prisma's system is distinctly different and was developed to ensure every component meets high-performance specifications. Fully documented, thorough testing by third-party experts have been performed on every aspect of the system.

Authorities on imaging have taken notice of the groundbreaking work of the Prisma team.

“The testing done with Prisma's system demonstrates image quality which has eliminated the risks to achieve commercial readiness,” said Josh Star-Lack, principal scientist at Varex Imaging, author of over 100 papers and co-inventor of 27 patents.

According to Silver, their unique solution is facilitated by three major innovations:

1) Robotics

2) Using two types of radiographic technologies

3) A motion correction system to compensate for the movement of a conscious horse

Prisma's system has successfully performed in vivo imaging of live horse subjects and has demonstrated the efficacy of the system's multiple technologies. Prisma's CT image quality has proven to be on par with the top medical-grade CT systems.

The CT images taken with Prisma's system revealed all of the relevant anatomy and was virtually indistinguishable from those taken with medical-grade CT systems.” said Kurt Selberg, DVM, MS, DACVR, associate professor veterinary diagnostic imaging, Colorado State University and lead imaging practitioner at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon.

Silver projects that commercial installations of the system will begin in mid-2021. “Prior to purchase, Prisma will require the customer's inspection and full satisfaction that all its capabilities are fully functional and meet or exceed the highest standards,” Silver said.

Learn more about Prisma here.

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