Just as digital cameras have made photography easier and more efficient by
eliminating film, digital radiography systems provide veterinarians with a
x-ray image that can be viewed immediately onsite and easily adjusted to
maximize clarity. In an effort to provide the best care to my patients, the
practice recently added digital radiography. Now x-rays can be taken of your
horse at your barn. The x-rays image is digital instead of film and
immediately viewable on my computer in my truck. I can evaluate the x-rays
right away and treatment can be implemented.
This is a big improvement over the traditional system which involved taking
x-rays on film. I would then need to go a developer and develop the films.
Then call you after deciding on a diagnosis and treatment plan. It would
often take 24 to 48 hours.
Not only can I view the images, make the diagnosis, and determine treatment
in minutes instead of days, the images I am getting are often much better.
Through the viewing software I can adjust the image to increase or decrease
brightness or contrast. I can zoom in on a joint or bone of interest. All
this while your horse is standing a few feet away. And if the image is not
to my liking, it is a simple matter to retake x-rays.
Below are two videos which demonstrate the usefulness of the new digital
x-rays system.
In this first video, you will see some normal x-rays.
In this second video we will go over a two lameness cases where the digital
x-ray system allowed me to make the diagnosis and determine treatment on the
spots.
More Benefits of the new Digital
X-rays System
For consultation and second opinions the new system also makes things
easier. I can with a few clicks create a CD for you to view or you to bring
with you if your horse needs to be referred. Or, if an out of the area
purchaser wants to have x-rays viewed by his or her regular veterinarian,
after I perform a purchase exam, I can e-mail the images.
For horses with chronic disease, the new system will help with evaluating changes over
time. Because every single x-ray I take from now on will be with me, as
x-rays are taken over time in the case of arthritis or laminitis, I can take
an x-ray today and evaluate it against the x-rays taken during prior visits.
I am very excited about the opportunity for this digital x-rays system to
improve patient care. Feel free to ask me about the new digital x-rays
system when I am out at your home or ranch. I will be happy to bring up
x-rays to show you on my computer.
Just as digital cameras have made photography easier and more efficient by
eliminating film, digital radiography systems provide veterinarians with a
x-ray image that can be viewed immediately onsite and easily adjusted to
maximize clarity. In an effort to provide the best care to my patients, the
practice recently added digital radiography. Now x-rays can be taken of your
horse at your barn. The x-rays image is digital instead of film and
immediately viewable on my computer in my truck. I can evaluate the x-rays
right away and treatment can be implemented.