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Dick Vet study to compare equine MRI and CT scans
Vets Sarah Taylor and Padraig Kelly of the Dick Vet Equine Hospital.
Research will make use of newly installed CT scanner.

A new three-year study at the University of Edinburgh’s Dick Vet Equine Hospital will compare the use of MRI and CT scans for horses with lameness and foot problems.

The study has been made possible following the delivery
earlier this month of a new CT scanner for scanning the distal limbs of sedated standing horses. The equipment has been housed in a purpose-built room at the hospital and will help the veterinary team in their diagnostic work.

During the next three years, horses referred to the hospital for an MRI scan will undergo a CT scan beforehand, at no extra cost to the client. The CT scan will allow the veterinary team to check for metal clenches in the hoof wall before the MRI to avoid the metal migrating in the MRI and causing injuries, replacing the use of X-rays.

Researchers will also look at whether using an MRI or CT scan, or both, is necessary for diagnosing different equine foot conditions. They will use anonymised images to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the two scanning methods for navicular syndrome and coffin joint osteoarthritis.

The findings will help the veterinary team decide which scanner to use when diagnosing patients with equine distal limb problems to minimise over-imaging.

Padraig Kelly, head of the Dick Vet Equine Hospital, said: “We are excited to offer both standing MRI and CT scans at no extra cost to our clients. This will significantly aid the diagnosis of lameness of our patients.

“Having both imaging modalities will also provide an excellent opportunity to do some sensitivity and specificity studies to determine whether CT or MRI is better for detecting different injuries in a horse's foot.”

Image © Shutterstock

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New guidelines published for wildlife disease surveillance

News Story 1
 A set of international guidelines for disease surveillance in wildlife has been updated for the first time since 2015.

Released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Organisation for Animal Health, General Guidelines for Surveillance of Diseases, Pathogens and Toxic Agents in Free-ranging Wildlife is designed to help wildlife authorities and others working with wildlife carry out effective surveillance programmes.

The document, which cover areas including choosing appropriate strategies, safety and biosafety protocols, and ethical and legal considerations, can be read here.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Restricted zone extended after more bluetongue cases

After three new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 were detected along the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire border, the restricted zone has been extended.

The zone now includes Buckinghamshire and part of Berkshire, as well as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, part of Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, part of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, part of Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Surrey, and West Sussex.

Susceptible animals in the restricted zone should only be moved if it is essential. A specific licence is needed to move a susceptible animal from within the restricted zone to outside of the zone.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. In Northern Ireland, suspected cases should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the areas where restrictions apply can be found here.