Possible SI issues/hind limb lameness - scintigraphy/MRI?

Ponygirl777

Ponygirl777

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After a prolonged spell of my Highland being occasionally not quite 'right' (tight and sore in his lumbar region, sticky stifles, not happy in trot) my vet thinks it's time to investigate things a bit further than we have so far. He's mentioned having him scanned at the local equine hospital - I'm presuming he's referring to scintigraphy or maybe MRI?

Has anyone had this done on their horse? What sort of cost are we looking at?
 
I paid £1500 (well, insurance did) for bone scan 3 years ago. That was for 3/4 horse and full horse was quoted at £1800. Plus hospitalisation costs, treatment etc. I think my vets are on the more expensive side though so may be cheaper in your area.
 
Caramac71 said:
I paid £1500 (well, insurance did) for bone scan 3 years ago. That was for 3/4 horse and full horse was quoted at £1800. Plus hospitalisation costs, treatment etc. I think my vets are on the more expensive side though so may be cheaper in your area.
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That's great - thanks. I was prepared for it to be on the ouchy side of expensive!
 
Mine had a half body bone scan at the end of last year and then a set of X-rays and nearly a week in hospital. The overall bill was about £2k which I thought was very reasonable.

Have had several have MRIs in the past and I think this was about £1500.
 
scats said:
Mine had a half body bone scan at the end of last year and then a set of X-rays and nearly a week in hospital. The overall bill was about £2k which I thought was very reasonable.

Have had several have MRIs in the past and I think this was about £1500.
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Thank you - hopeful that insurance will cover it, but if not at least I know roughly what to expect.
 
I was quoted about £1000 for an MRI.

Do try and keep the costs as low as you possibly can, even with insurance. Depending on the outcome of the scans, it is frighteningly easy to start whistling through £5k with these sorts of not-quite-rights.
 
my horse was referred for an MRI the cost was £2000 and in addition she had a workup prior that came to around £1200 including all the nerve blocks etc. The MRI showed a fractured pedal bone that was not detected by three vets and three different sets of X-ray!
Apparently the MRI company sets the fees not the vets.
 
jj_87 said:
my horse was referred for an MRI the cost was £2000 and in addition she had a workup prior that came to around £1200 including all the nerve blocks etc. The MRI showed a fractured pedal bone that was not detected by three vets and three different sets of X-ray!
Apparently the MRI company sets the fees not the vets.
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Eeek! Did your horse recover?
 
I'm going through all this right now. Bills are currently 2.5 K and rising fast! That's for scintigraphy on Friday and nerve blocking today to try and get to a diagnosis. Tomorrow is x rays and if they are inconclusive an MRI scan. She is lame on all 4 limbs. Luckily she is insured and as she is very clearly lame on the other feet when one is blocked (ie no longer just 'not quite right' which we were a week ago) vets says there will be no issue with insurance. At least he can't possibly see an issue with it. But 5K is looking like not much given how quickly it is being spent....
 
Ambers Echo said:
I'm going through all this right now. Bills are currently 2.5 K and rising fast! That's for scintigraphy on Friday and nerve blocking today to try and get to a diagnosis. Tomorrow is x rays and if they are inconclusive an MRI scan. She is lame on all 4 limbs. Luckily she is insured and as she is very clearly lame on the other feet when one is blocked (ie no longer just 'not quite right' which we were a week ago) vets says there will be no issue with insurance. At least he can't possibly see an issue with it. But 5K is looking like not much given how quickly it is being spent....
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That sounds like a nightmare. Hope you get a conclusive answer soon and can start treatment.
 
13 months later (11 of those box rest) she is now *touches wood* sound on it and is back in work. It as been absolutely horrendous! Total bills were way in excess of the £5k limit, thankful for credit cards!
 
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