Equine Health

Equipment & Technology

Digital Radiography

At Pacific Crest Equine we have a digital radiography system. Gone are the x-ray cassettes and film processor and the long wait for developing. Instead, in about 3 seconds, dramatically improved images automatically are displayed on a monitor for review. Conventional radiographs are a thing of the past!

When an animal is x-rayed the detector is placed where the film cassette would have been, the head of the x-ray equipment is positioned, and then turned on. The detector generates the image from the radiation received. The image is transmitted to the computer where it is stored. This image can be called up on any computer and can be stored on a special secure server. Images can also be sent by internet to any referral institution or copied on CDs for owners, buyers, or medical specialists.

This state-of-the-art new technology will dramatically change radiography. Because the image appears almost instantaneously, horses will not need to be re-sedated for additional views. Digital radiographs are also rarely over or underexposed, largely eliminating the need to repeat views. However, the greatest advantage of this system is the sophistication of the images. Due to the computer image processing tools, we have a much greater depth of information available. With conventional radiography, you cannot magnify the image, change the contrast or edge-enhancement to see specific areas. With digital radiography, you can enlarge and manipulate the image to obtain the best possible results. This new technology will tremendously add to what we are able to diagnose, and therefore treat.

Although this technology has been available to teaching institutions and veterinary colleges for about one and a half years, digital radiography is relatively new for private practices. At this time, only a handful of clinics across the country have digital systems, and therefore most horse owners would have to ship horses great distances for this enhanced imaging. Our purchase of this equipment is part of our commitment to continue to provide high quality diagnostics and medicine to our equine clients.