At McGee Equine we believe that diagnostic testing is a critical component of veterinary practice and is often essential in determining what is going on with your horse and providing the best possible treatment plan. We have the latest in stall-side diagnostic equipment, enabling outstanding image quality and fast results.
Digital Radiography
Radiographs are used to take images of the musculoskeletal system with special detail of bone. Radiographs allow visualization of numerous abnormalities including fractures, OCD lesions, sinus masses, and bone cysts among many others. There are a few different options when it comes to radiographs including “plain film”, “computed radiography”, and “digital radiography”.
McGee Equine offers digital radiography “DR”. While DR is a bit more expensive than conventional plain film radiography the advantages are numerous. DR technology allows the images to be immediately viewable upon the portable laptop unit, there is no developing involved. This allows instant results and modifications of setup if needed. Anyone who has been in the horse industry long enough will appreciate the convenience of the DR compared to the old days when often multiple visits were needed to re-take radiographs! Additionally the image can be enhanced significantly which makes subtle changes more readily visable. Digital radiographs can be saved to a flash stick or DVD, which makes storage and future comparison easy and convenient. Copies of radiographs are available after a written radiograph release is requested.
Digital Ultrasonography
Ultrasonography is a tool used primarily to image soft tissue structures. The ultrasound probe contains crystals that generate a sound wave which is sent outward and is bounced back from the tissue that it encounters. Each tissue absorbs or refracts a different amount of the sound wave which allows each tissue type to have a different ultrasound characteristic. In veterinary medicine the ultrasound machine is primarily used for soft tissue injuries (tendon or ligament), reproductive management (follicle evaluation, pregnancy evaluation and monitoring), and abdominal ultrasound; although the use is limitless.
McGee Equine uses a Mylab Ultrasound machine, an excellent model with outstanding images. Different probes are available to allow specific imaging based on intended use and location. Images can be saved in still or real time clips and stored onto a flash stick or DVD; doppler ultrasound is also possible to view blood-flow.This particular image is of the uterus of a mare who is pregnant with twins. One of the twins was manually reduced allowing a successful singleton pregnancy. Copies of ultrasound images are available after a written ultrasound release is requested.
Laboratory
Laboratory work is often indicated in veterinary medicine. Screening tests in geriatric patients, workup of sick horses, neonatal foal exams are all examples of times when bloodwork may be indicated. There are numerous tests available, some which can be performed in house, others that must be sent to a specific diagnostic laboratory. McGee equine has the ability to perform complete blood count (CBC), internal chemistry, and fecal egg count tests with a quick turn around time. For our small animal patients heartworm, lyme, anaplasma, and ehrlichia testing is available in house (4dx snap test). Numerous other send out tests are available for specific conditions such as lyme disease, EPM, Cushings, insulin resistance (equine metabolic syndrome), GCT to name a few.