Bone Scans

[sammiea]

My mare is going into the RVC on monday ready fo a full body bone scan... tell me all there is to know on this please

I am very worried it still wont help find ut what her issues are or where they are steming from

 

[PucciNPoni]

If your insurance covers this, inform them first!!!! I found out the hard way that my insurance wouldn't cover it only because they didn't get to authorise it first.

My mare went in to the horspital for scintigraphy, had to spend I think 2 days in solitary confinement after til the danger of radioactivity was gone. But she was spoiled absolutely rotten during that time. She now has an awfully big soft spot for anyone wearing a stethescope....She was a bit disappointed to come home.

The bone scan can highlight the areas where pain is, but doesn't necessarily tell you what's wrong, but can certainly give a clearer idea of where to look.

 

[vallin]

THey inject a radioisoltope (usually a uranium isotope, but there is a shortage atm) into the horse and then look at the levels of uptake in different regions of the body, highlighting areas that are metabolising. You end up with scans that look like this:

lower hind legs:

Hocks (my horse has damage to both hind suspensories and arthritis in both hocks hence the large amount of dark area)

Spine and pelvis (she is also having some issues with the sacro iliac, hence two dark circles either side)

 

[Cozrin]

My horse had scintography last year at the Newmarket Equine Hospital. It highlights areas which may be a problem, they call them 'hot spots'. This can help to point them towards where the problems are. Bear in mind though that it may pick up a few things which dont necessarily have big implications.
My horse showed a small hot spot in his hock but it was very mild OA and the vet said it wouldnt cause a problem. Just think of it as if you had a full body scan, it may show up things that dont cause a problem at all.
It does help to cut down on endless nerve blocks etc.
I agree though with the eariler post. It costs around £1500 so give your insurance company a ring and double check that you are covered.

Good luck, I hope it helps x