Infrared imaging

[Lovemarmite]

Had Infrared done on Jester yesterday, he hasnt been right for such a long time since his diagnosis of PPID, after working my way through every check possible, feet, teeth, saddle, not really riding much but lots of in hand strengthening work, hill work I felt like we were turning a corner, had a slight issue with vet wanting to trial him off pracsend as his levels were consistently low, but four weeks in he was quite poorly, a retest showed his levels at 585 so back on the meds and over the last couple of weeks he has vastly improved, but, watching him trot in the field he seemed quite stiff in the neck, it didn't look fluid so was thinking feet again, he is super grass sensitive,
Anyway, infrared showed slight hot spot in hock but the man said could be onset of arthritis or he has given himself a knock, but his spine was a super hot spot, it showed up white and his neck was red so lots of soreness and tension there, he did question kissing spines but advised on chiro visit, a good friend has recommended a physio that will refer to chiro if needed and I do feel I want to release tight muscles before we do anything further, so pony out of action again so I'm starting to question whether to just retire him but get him comfortable,
Has anyone had this done before, any similar results to share, outcomes? Fresh out of the oven brownies if you got this far ?

 

[fankino04]

Personally if it's that hot on his spine I would want a vet to follow up the imaging with X rays rather than get a physio, I don't believe tight muscles would cause that much heat / inflammation....

 

[Goldenstar]

I think infra red imaging is pretty useless asa diagnostic tool
it was used on a horse of mine who presented in extreme pain
it’s showed massive hot over the quarters resulting in half a day being spent Thinking the horse had broken its pelvis .
the horse had broken a rib just in line with the elbow .
the muscles in the quarters where just working hard as he tried to hold himself To protect where it did not hurt .

 

[Lovemarmite]

Personally if it's that hot on his spine I would want a vet to follow up the imaging with X rays rather than get a physio, I don't believe tight muscles would cause that much heat / inflammation....

I need to book a vet visit for repeat bloods so will show him the images and go from there, I think I would still like a physio visit but not planning on hopping on him until its been thoroughly investigated ?

 

[Lovemarmite]

I think infra red imaging is pretty useless asa diagnostic tool
it was used on a horse of mine who presented in extreme pain
it’s showed massive hot over the quarters resulting in half a day being spent Thinking the horse had broken its pelvis .
the horse had broken a rib just in line with the elbow .
the muscles in the quarters where just working hard as he tried to hold himself To protect where it did not hurt .

Totally agree, I didn't expect to be given all the answers, but it has shown me there is a problem somewhere that needs investigating further with the right diagnostic equipment rather than trying to push him through, just wanted to initially rule out arthritis ?

 

[Rob1585]

My 2 pence is be cautious of infrared/thermal imaging... the cameras aren’t that expensive, so if they are useful why don’t vets use them..... it’d be much easier for a vet to run a camera over a horse than repeatedly trying to nerve block a grumpy horses legs......also on a side note, unless your thermographer is a vet they cannot give any form of diagnosis.

 

[paddi22]

there doesn't seem to be a lot of evidence to support infrared as a reliable indicator of issues. I spoke to a few vets who tried it alongside normal investigations and none found it reliable. variables in the horses environment can also make the machine read differently. I got it done for a horse years ago and it showed some roaring red hot spots, on proper infection nothing showed on the horse and the horse never indicated any pain there throughout the years. the fact that vets don't use it would indicate it's not particularly reliable.

 

[Lovemarmite]

My 2 pence is be cautious of infrared/thermal imaging... the cameras aren’t that expensive, so if they are useful why don’t vets use them..... it’d be much easier for a vet to run a camera over a horse than repeatedly trying to nerve block a grumpy horses legs......also on a side note, unless your thermographer is a vet they cannot give any form of diagnosis.

OK thank you, really appreciate feedback as I always over think scenarios and am currently thinking retirement and end of my riding career but am hoping that after a good physio session he will be on the road to a more comfortable pony

 

[Lovemarmite]

there doesn't seem to be a lot of evidence to support infrared as a reliable indicator of issues. I spoke to a few vets who tried it alongside normal investigations and none found it reliable. variables in the horses environment can also make the machine read differently. I got it done for a horse years ago and it showed some roaring red hot spots, on proper infection nothing showed on the horse and the horse never indicated any pain there throughout the years. the fact that vets don't use it would indicate it's not particularly reliable.

OK thank you ?