October 2007
IT’S HERE: DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY
We are so excited to announce that we have purchased a portable digital radiography machine. Our computerized radiography machine is now 4 years old and it was time to make a decision to jump into the future of veterinary medicine.
We, at Henderson Veterinary Associates, LTD strive to provide top quality service in all aspects of equine medicine. That is why we have decided to bring digital radiography into our practice.
Some of the benefits that our clients will enjoy with this new equipment are shorter time for taking the radiographs ,no need for a call back because the images come up onto the computer screen within seconds of taking the picture and it provides an exceptional state of the art image.
Especially useful in lamanitic cases, the digital radiograph machine can measure sole depth, rotation of the coffin bone and compare one foot against the other. This is an added benefit that will help us and your farrier stay on top of the subtle changes in the hoof. Digital radiography also allows for better views of the shoulder, stifle and sinus.
Compact discs can easily be made stall side in minutes for referral or the farrier. Printed copies can be made as well if a computer is not accessible for viewing on the cd.
Emailing of radiographs can also be done but is not usually the best route of viewing because of the large size of the picture.
Digital radiography is being used now at all of the top veterinary schools and hospitals across the world. It is becoming the standard of care for human patients and veterinary alike.
Contact the office today for more information.
Stability of Pergolide Suspension
It has come to our attention that there is some talk on the internet of the Pergolide suspension that we use not being very effective or stable after a certain time interval.
We have discussed this issue with Wedgewood Pharmacy the compounding pharmacy that makes our Pergolide suspension.
They have taken it upon themselves to have an independent laboratory do stability testing on this product.
The results have been completed for 60 day testing and is well with in the normal range for use at 60 days.
They will continue to do further testing and we will update you with the results.
· Miniature horses need the same care that there larger counterparts do and may need dental care more often.
· Now is the time of year to review your parasite program. Have a routine fecal floatation performed today.
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Services offered
We are now providing Acupuncture services to our service area. Dr. Annika Frederickson has been treating several horses with this complementary medicine. Please call the office for more information.
Routine dental care is a must for the well being of your horse. A full evaluation of your horse’s teeth should be done once a year including the floating procedure. Some younger horses and horses with dental problems may need to be seen every six months. Our doctors are equipped with PowerFloats which have been recently designed to meet the needs of advanced dental care.
As with our small animal counterparts, equine patients should have a yearly physical examination. The doctors of Henderson Veterinary Associates, LTD can perform a physical exam on your horse at spring or fall vaccination appointments. Preventative care is the key to keeping our patients healthy.
New Test Available for Conformation of Cushing’s Disease
Cushing’s disease or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is the most common endocrine disease that we see in horses and ponies. Some of the most common clinical signs of the disease include long, shaggy hair coats, laminitis (founder), chronic infection, abnormal fat distribution, muscle wasting, weight loss, lethargy, increased drinking and urination. Please keep in mind, that not all horses with this disease show all of these signs.
If a horse is suspected of having this condition, the doctors at Henderson Veterinary Associates, LTD, will perform a full physical examination, pull blood to run a PPID panel at our outside laboratory that checks for infection, liver and kidney disease, anemia, insulin, ACTH and thyroid. If the horse is having problems with laminitis, they will also want to take radiographs (x-rays) of the front feet to look at the coffin bone for rotation and length of toe and depth of sole.
If the lab tests come back positive for PPID, then the horse is put on oral Pergolide and monitored. If the tests come back boarderline, the test of choice was to run a dexamethasone suppression test. This test has its risks. But now there is a new test that is safer than the dexamethasone suppression test and it is called a Domperidone test.
The test consists of taking a pre-blood sample for an ACTH test, giving the horse an oral dose of Domperidone and in 4 hours retaking a blood test for ACTH. If the test comes back with the post sample being high then this has a high correlation for the horse to have this disease. The horse would then be placed on the appropriate dose of Pergolide, monitored closely with possible diet and exercise changes.
Please keep in mind that PPID is still being researched and there is new information coming out about this disease every year.
If your horse is showing any of these signs, please contact the office to set up an appointment.