X-rays .... can I have a copy?

quirky

quirky

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Had my mare nerve blocked and x-rayed on Monday, nothing came up on the x-rays. Her problems started when she slipped in the snow, a couple of physio visits suggested shoulder problem, when I took her to the vet, things took a rather bad turn.
They kept her the next day and injected local anaesthetic into both front fetlock joints. They attempted to draw any fluid off, didn't get any out of one and a minimal amount out of second. This has been sent away for testing. No fluid suggests no trauma.

Further x-rays were taken after the joints had been injected and there was "little of significance" to quote the vet.

He has decided she has arthritis in both fetlocks and is planning on injecting steroid into those joints. I am extremely nervous about this as my first pony had steroid induced laminitis and it was horrendous to see his battle with it. The vet is aware of my concerns.

Basically, I would like a second opinion on the x-rays as she doesn't seem to have any evidence of arthritis. This mare is only 4, is not what I would call a highly bred type who seem to be more predisposed to arthritis.

So, I don't want to pee my vet off, he has a very good reputation and is purely an equine vet, so not a jack of all animals.

Do you think he would be insulted if I was to ask for the x-rays?

If he did give them to me, I haven't got anybody in mind to show them to as yet.

Sorry if this post is a bit disjointed, my head is all over the place
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When PF had some x-rays at Rossdales ages ago, the vets gave me a copy on a floppy disk (remember this was ages ago!) They asked me if I´d like them and I said yes please. In your position, I´d ask. You did pay for them after all
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This is interesting. When i was dealing with a mystery lameness last year my vet did all the relatively non invasive stuff, X rays, nerve blocking but then said that we would be better trying a spell of box rest before risking steroids, etc. The only thing of note on the Xrays was narrow joint gaps.

Two months of box rest followed and year of field rest - a long time out of work but it seems to have worked.
 
If you want a second opinion, get one. It's your horse, your money, your peace of mind. I'm going through the stages of getting a second opinion on my horse at the moment. The receptionist at my vet's was a bit cobby with me on the phone but I just let her get over it.
If you want to consult another vet they can't stop you.
 
My friend was sent her horses x-rays by email. So it is nothing out of the ordinary for you to ask for a copy.
 
Legally regarding second opinions and xrays the second vet must have premission from the orginal. (But they generally can not not give it to you). The x-rays (or orginals) remain the property of the orginal practice in this day and age of digital imagines generally they will email or give you a copy on disk. If you were to get 'the plates' they would need to be returned the the x-raying practice.
 
I have the xrays from both horses I have had xrays. (Also have mine own xrays and MRI scan when I had knee surgery privately) You are well within your right to ask for a second opinion especially as the horse is so young.
With regard to the steroid injection into the joint - my mare had this 3 years ago after xrays showed she had arthritis of the coffin joint. The joint was injected twice 5 weeks apart. There was no improvement whatsoever. Another vet looked at the xrays and said in his opinion it was an injury and rest would do the trick. It took 18 months, but she is now back to a happy, ploddy hack again. As she is a big heavy mare, laminitis as a side affect of the injection was a minimal risk.
 
There was a legal case concerning (human) xrays taken at a private hospital. The hospital had refused to give the x rays, saying they were the property of the hospital. It went to court and the judge ruled that the patient had paid for the xrays and therefore had ownership and could take them for a second opinion. I'm not sure if this precedent would apply to veterinary cases but I don't see why not.

You have every right to seek a second opinion and if you vet is any good he/she should encourage you to do so. I'd want a specialist opinion before having my horse labelled as 'arthritic' at such a young age.
 
Had my boy x-rayed for kissing spine last year and got a copy of them - vet had no problems emailing me the file which I sent on to the Animal Health Trust and Dr Gerd Heuschmann for their opinion (have some good contacts)
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yes you own the x rays. but they will give you a disc in pdf? form which can be sent on but cannot be enhanced. so what they give you wont necesseraliy give a true reading as you cant scan in and out and highlight specific areas. arthiritis will show bone changes on x ray and as horse is only 4 i would give horse benefit of doubt and turn away and let mature. are you chasing an insurance 1 year deadline? your vet shouldnt get shitty if you ask for a referal for a second opinion. however the second opinion will generally want to scan, xray and block the joints and come to their own conclusion.
 
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