UK’s first CT scanner for horses is unveiled

The UK’s first specialised CT scanner for horses could “drastically improve” examinations and treatmentfor equine patients.

New treatments

Developed by the Royal Veterinary College’s (RVC) equine hospital, the computed tomography (CT) scanner is 10cm wider than the standard (75cm). This means most of the horse’s neck can fit inside, enabling vets and students to improve their understanding of equine neck problems and develop new treatments.

Diagnostic imaging is vital in animals as they cannot communicate where they feel pain. More than 80 percent of patients at the equine hospital require a CT scan to diagnose health problems.

The RVC was the first equine hospital to install a CT scanner for horses in 2003. Six years later they changed the CT set up to allow horses to be scanned while standing up, avoiding the need to put horses under general anaesthetic.

Improve diagnostics

The latest development will help further improve thewelfare of horses receiving treatment, while advancing equine medical knowledge.

Professor Renate Weller, professor in comparative imaging and biomechanics at the RVC, said: “We are very excited to introduce this innovation in equine imaging. This is a great opportunity to improve our diagnostic ability for neck problems in the horse and we expect that our understanding of neck problems will improve tremendously.”