Author: Cat Guenther

Risks Under General Anesthesia

When a horse goes under general anesthesia for a computed tomography (CT) procedure, there is a risk of injury as horses do not come out of anesthesia well. This causes many horse owners to feel uneasy about the procedure.  A new CT scanner, the Equina® (Asto CT, Middleton, WI), has been developed and specifically designed for a veterinarian to safely image a lightly sedated standing horse without administering general anesthesia. 

The Equina utilizes modern fan-beam technology to create an optimum experience for every horse. The imaging procedure is straight-forward, fast, and safe since the gantry glides around the horse while the patient remains standing. The risk of injury due to general anesthesia is not of concern, which reduces stress for the animal and owner.

Surgeons also find this standing CT to be helpful when conducting their work. All enclosures are sealed, allowing minor surgical procedures on a standing horse to be performed on top of the scanner. Surgeons use this technology to pinpoint pathology and accurately place their instruments during surgery. They can perform multiple scans during the procedure while the horse remains in its natural standing position.

Risks with Exposure to Radiation                                                                                                                

Along with general anesthesia, radiation is a major safety concern for the animal and veterinary staff. Traditional CT machines produce considerable levels of radiation. The Equina is self-shieled and emits low doses of radiation without compromising the quality of the images, allowing the veterinary staff to be present in the room.

 It only takes two people to complete the scanning procedure with the Equina:  one holding the horse, and one operating the machine. With staff able to remain in the room, they can monitor the horse closely and react to a situation before it occurs. Traditional CT does not allow for the close observation that the Equina provides. “It’s a risk, if you’re leaving a horse tied to a machine, or positioned in an unnatural position, and you have to leave the room due to radiation levels, it’s a risk to the machine and the horse. If something happens the liability for that clinic can be sky high.” says Dr. Sabrina Broun’s, DVM, DACVS.

The Perspective of a Horse Owner

The horse owner is a steward of the animal’s wellbeing. It takes hours to prepare for and recover from a traditional CT scan using general anesthesia. The horse is often placed in in dorsal recumbency, causing even more stress for the owner, veterinarians, and most importantly, the animal.

Equestrians are always looking for ways to make their horse more comfortable and relaxed. The Equina standing CT scan is the perfect alternative to traditional CT, requiring only light sedation so the horse can stand naturally during the scan. The scan time itself takes less than 30 seconds, so instead of hours of preparation and recovery, the Equina CT scan requires only 10 minutes. This method is cost effective compared to traditional X-rays, and veterinarians are able to get an accurate diagnosis in seconds.  That’s the beauty of the Equina standing CT, a fast, safe and accurate diagnosis, giving you more peace of mind and a better experience for your horse.

At the end of the day, horse owners prioritize their horse’s health and wellbeing. Their safety is of utmost importance, Dr. Brounts sums it up perfectly, “This is a machine which was created by veterinarians for veterinarians, it’s been proven in the veterinarian world, it’s not off-label use and it’s beyond the best that’s out there.”

More about the Author

Cat Guenther

Cat Guenther has a passion for horses, she has been riding for 12 years, and loves every minute of it. She has won countless top 5’s and top 10’s at the All American Quarter Horse Congress and AQHYA World Show. In 2019 she won the all around at The Madness and was year-end top 3 in youth 14-18 showmanship.

Cat has always enjoyed writing, and has proven her skills for Go Horse Show, a well-known equine magazine. She has taken the initiative to start her own blog on Behind the Bit Show Clothing to combine her love of writing and horses. She is currently studying business and entrepreneurship and the University of Michigan.