X-Rays - what to expect?

Vetwrap

Vetwrap

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Next Tuesday I have to take my youngster to have x-rays. I am hoping that this will show a recurring abcess and help us resolve it once and for all.

Having never had to have a horse x-rayed, can you tell me your experiences? Do the horses usually get sedated?

Please excuse the numpty questions!
 
My horse went for x-rays about 4 weeks ago. She is a quiet mare, but was sedated - think they may do this routinely so that the horse doesn't move when the film is being taken.

All very painless. Where we went, I lead her into a big x-ray room and then the vet moved the x-ray machine into position - nurse was also present (had to sign a disclaimer to say that I was prepared to stay in the room with x-rays being taken, although did have to wear a very heavy lead apron) and then they took the various films. 5 in total, they position the machine at the area to be x-rayed then in my case the nurse held a place on the oppposite side, picture was taken and then this image was fed into the computer which meant that we could see the x-ray within minutes.

It was all very calm and my horse was very chilled throughout and not stressed at all. Think in total it took about 30 mins for the 5 films (although there was a little problem at the start getting the computer to hook up).

I found it fascinating, especially as the films were processed so fast so the vet could discuss with me exactly what he was looking at and also what he was looking for.

Hope this helps and has gone someway to reassuring you :)
 
Thankyou for replying. It is very reassuring to read your post.

It's always good to have some idea of what to expect.

I hope your mare's prognosis was good.
 
Mine have nearly always been x-rayed at home if they have needed it and it's normally pretty straight forward, if its the foot that's being xrayed then they may want the shoe taken off. The only time one of my horses has need a drop of sedation was when he needed his face x rayed and he had to be very very still, other than never had any problems.

You may be asked to help hold the plates still, or hold your horse (or both) in which case you would be given a (really heavy!) lead apron to wear and possibly lead gloves.

Hope it goes well for you.
 
My mare was diagnosed with lami in March so she's had lots of x-rays.

The vet will give a small sedation to the horse, then he will set up his equipment and give you a heavy body protector to put on. He will then (if its the foot) put your horses front feet on small blocks of wood. Then he makes sure everything looks correct and takes the x-ray.

If at home which you are not, make sure you have electric and an extension lead.
 
My pony was sedated for foot X-rays and my vet said to make sure he had nothing to eat for an hour or so afterwards, in case of choke. The sedative did make him sweat a lot and I've heard this is quite common. I was wiping his face with my coat...might be an idea to have an old towel handy!
 
Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate it.

Poor Stanley is used to the knock out drops - having had to be patched up several times before, but he gets incredibly hot as well, when sedated.

I really hope that this does get resolved next week... I want to be able to start doing something with him - and I think that he is beginning to get bored as well!
 
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