Bone scans

[Caramac71]

My vets want to book our horse in for a bone scan. They suspect sacroiliac / back problems although nothing has shown on xray or nerve blocks. I'm waiting to hear back from insurance as to whether they will ok this but I'm actually considering we may need to go this route with or without insurance, so I have a couple of questions for anyone who's had one done.

Does a bone scan look at the whole horse, or do they just look at a specific area?

Has anyone had this done and still not got any answers?

I've already spent out close to £1500 on diagnostics and ruling out ulcers and hormonal problems. Vet has advised the cost of a bone scan is going to be in the region of £1800. I know vet is keen to go ahead as its the only way they can look at the sacroiliac joint, and hopefully it will lead to some answers, but I'd be more than gutted to go through all that and find we still have no diagnosis.

The alternative is to treat as though sacroiliac disease and hope that we have found the right diagnosis. I'm just trying to weigh up whether we are better to spend money on a bone scan in the hopes of getting something concrete to work on, or faff around trying this and that (and possibly running up a substantial bill along the way).

Obviously if insurance give us the go ahead then we will crack on with the bone scan - but I'm wondering whether to tell vets to book her in regardless?

 

[nat_1]

Hi,my 5 yo mare went for one last sunday(scan was the Monday am) she was referred for one because she refused to be nerve blocked at local vets for lameness work up
The bone scan picked up hot spots in stifle and navicular bone,which sent me into panic! But two days later she had X-rays on stifle,hock and foot and stifle and hocks were clear and normal Thankgod! But it showed up a fracture in the pedal bone on lateral wing,so a relief for me that it just means more box rest and will hopefully come sound again in a few months time
One thing I will advise is when you get your call after the bone scan don't panic too much about what hotspots it picked up ,just wait till you've had the xrays done 😊her foot was never ever under suspision and we were all really shocked!
All this investigating and her being a pain not having nerve blocks done has used up nearly all the insurence of 3k ,mine was just having both hinds scanned as it was her left hind she was lame on and that was 1k ,hope it goes well for you and you get a simple diagnosis 😊
The bone scan isn't a diagnosis it just shows areas of problems to be investigated further by X-rays ,nerve blocks ,Mri etc.

 

[Micropony]

My big horse had a bone scan because after a full set of nerve blocks it still wasn't possible to locate the problem. The bone scan showed up which joint was causing the problem, and they were then able to focus further (and cheaper) diagnostics in the right place to properly understand what was going on. Turned out to be a ligament problem which was treated with acupuncture and the horse never had another problem with it.

For me it was definitely worth it to know what we were dealing with.

Best of luck with your horse!

 

[criso]

It was very useful for me. Horse was obviously lame but nothing visible and nerve blocking all the way to the knee didn't make any difference. Bone scan showed one hot spot on the shoulder which they then x rayed and found a bone cyst.

I believe the do half the horse, front or back depending on where they think the issue is.

 

[wkiwi]

Each type of imaging shows a different type of problem (e.g. ultrasound - soft tissue, xrays - broken bones), so basically scintigraphy (bone scans) will show up the problem if it is something where new bone is being laid down. So, it can't detect everything but can be very useful.
you may find this link useful http://www.rvc.ac.uk/rvc-equine/facilities/diagnostic-imaging/bone-scan
for some general information, and this one for a summary of more detailed information:
https://www.vetstream.com/equis/Content/Technique/teq00328.asp

 

[rara007]

You can have whole horse or half horse bone scans, but even half horse will cover the back and hind limbs including the SI

 

[patchwork puzzle]

My pony is booked in for a full bone scan in a couple of weeks at Liphook Equine Hospital and I was just wondering if others have had the procedure here (they have always been my vets and I trust them whole heartedly but have never had a procedure done like this) and their experiences. In particular, how long was your horse there, when could you visit and how much for a full scan?
I'll find all experiences helpful to read about as I've only ever been in a situation of an obvious injury before and never going down the diagnostics route (pony has slight lameness but very subtle and nerve blocking up to knees didn't help, also difference in opinion of location - although I agree with the current opinion of near fore and off hind but other people seeing other areas is an indication of how subtle it is)
Thank you

 

[Micropony]

My chap had his done at the RVC. I wasn't able to visit as they are radioactive for a few days after the scan, and mine was ready to come home at that point. They were very good telling me in advance what to expect, what to take etc. and keeping me updated. For a proper stress head (well he was at that time) he settled very well and I think quite enjoyed his spell in horsepital. Best of luck x

 

[patchwork puzzle]

Thank you Micropony that's really helpful x

 

[little_critter]

Mine has had 2 now ( I know, expensive pony!). You won't be able to visit for 2 days after the scan due to radiation. At that point they can come home, or the vets may wish to do further tests based on what the scan shows.
The latest scan (Jan this year) cost £2500 at Lambourn and was a full body scan. I had the option of a half body scan but the vets advised full body as looking at the fronts may show an issue that has contributed to her SI condition.
The care at both vets (Lambourn and O'Gormans) has been great and my pony seemed very relaxed there.
My only advice: be flexible when arranging pick up times, both times I have booked a day off work to collect my horse on the advised day and both times the date changed (1st time an emergency came in and they couldn't complete her follow up tests at the planned time due to the emergency horse, 2nd time was a mix up in dates - my local vets fault, not the hospital)