Ultrasound allows us to visualise soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments. Most commonly we use ultrasound on tendons, especially the deep and superficial digital flexors, as well as suspensory apparatus, including the suspensory ligament and distal sesamoidean ligaments. We can also use ultrasound on joints, which allows us to visualise the joint capsule, synovial structures, collateral ligaments and the surface of the bone.
Radiography allows us to visualise the bones. The difference between the digital and conventional radiography is that with the conventional method, once the plate has been exposed to radiation (the X-Ray taken) the film has to be manually developed in the dark room after the vet returns to the clinic. With digital radiography, the film is scanned through an X-Ray scanner that transfers the information to a computer and the image appears on the screen.
So how is it better than the old way? Everything, including the scanner and the computer, is completely portable. (We still need electricity though). That means that you can look at the image together with us while we are still on your property. Any retakes of blurry or inadequate images can be done right then and the opposite limb can be X-Rayed if that is deemed necessary. It also provides a much higher resolution and quality images.
In addition it makes it easy for us to give you a copy of your horse's X-Rays as we can simply email them to you.