Getting legs scanned - what to expect?

[CarolineJ]

I finally have a date for Merlin's forelegs to be scanned (suspected DDFT problem on right fore). They can do it on the portable scanner so are coming to me, which will make life a lot less stressful, but they mentioned his legs will need to be shaved and it's quite a long procedure. I was expecting a quick zap up and down with something like a barcode reader so just so that I'm prepared and don't make an idiot of myself, can anyone who's had this done tell me what will happen?

 

[loopylucifer]

the horse is nomally sedated to ensure they stay still. They then clip up the legs (both are often done for comparisons). then they are cleaned and gel put on them. then scaned. depends on how obvoius the problem is as to how long it takes have known scanstake 20mins and others over an hour but seems to average about 40mins i guess. then gel is washed off after.

 

[Laura_Sonny]

My pony has had numerous scans due to damaged Annular ligament on his hinds. When my boy was done he had the back of his leg shaved from a few inches below the hock down into the heel. He then had a hibiscrub wash to make sure the site was clean (a cleaner site means a better contact for the scanner). Then lots of gel applied both to his leg and to the reader, and the vet started the scan. They took still images of the scan as they went along and the whole process took about 25-30 mins. My pony was also lightly sedated as he was a bit fidgety. Hope that helps!

 

[stacie21]

the vet will insist on sedation as the scanner is very expensive and insurance only covers for damage etc if horse is sedated. i wanted to see him scan my boys check ligament but first time i was holding so got a friend to hold next time so i could see properly. its not that bad much easier than carting them off to vets

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Yup around 40mins for a scan. Depending on the damage and how easy it is to find. They will only clip up the tendons, not all the way round the leg and usually sedate but if your horse will stand not a bother then you may not need to sedate him.

The machine my vet uses looks like a big Leap Frog pad lol! They are very cool! If you see a big black hole in the middle of the screen then you are in trouble I am affraid. What you should see, in basic terms, is a grey screen where all the lines are straight and running in the same direction. If the fibre pattern is just disrupted then it's usually just a strained tendon. If there is a black splodge then you have a hole. That's not good but it is fixable.

Good Luck with the scans - they are really rather interesting!

 

[MurphysMinder]

Murphy has had his leg scanned 3 times since April. First time he was a prat and it wasn't our usual vet, so he ended up sedated. Next 2 occasions he was done without sedation as he was completely relaxed, as above legs were clipped just up the tendon, second one for comparison, washed off and then gel applied before the scan. The whole thing took around 30 minutes, he is due to be done again in 3 weeks and keeping fingers crossed he will be able to come out of his "box rest" square in the field after 12 weeks.

 

[rambling]

the vet will insist on sedation as the scanner is very expensive and insurance only covers for damage etc if horse is sedated. i wanted to see him scan my boys check ligament but first time i was holding so got a friend to hold next time so i could see properly. its not that bad much easier than carting them off to vets

Vet didn't sedate my chap for a scan and have seen other horses scanned without sedation . As others have said the backs of the legs will be shaved and scrubbed and gel applied. My chaps skin was a little irritated by this and I applied 100% Aloe vera afterwards which helped. Vet put an extra sleeve on the head of the scanner to get a bettter contact. She did both legs for comparison and measured digitally? by a click on the scanner and stored the info. It took 45 mins or more, possibly because there was nothing wrong .

 

[CarolineJ]

Thanks everyone I'll give them a ring the day before and remind them to put a twitch in the car; if they want to sedate him that's going to be the only way they'll get a needle anywhere near him. He's normally pretty chilled out, but he does have an uncanny ability to spot a vet at 50 paces.

Off to retrieve him from the next field down from his, we had gales last night and they blew the gate open (double tied closed with baler twine as well!)