Safety from Start to Finish
June 19, 2024
One of the many crucial investments CDI made to the Equine Medical Center was the installation of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner, which can help detect and prevent equine musculoskeletal injuries using cutting edge technology. In partnership with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Churchill Downs installed the PET scan machine at its Equine Medical Center in early 2023 and it immediately became an indispensable tool for attending veterinarians to utilize and is revolutionizing the way they care for horses on the Churchill Downs backstretch.
NYRA HIGHLIGHTS AVAILABILITY OF PET TECHNOLOGY AT ROOD & RIDDLE EQUINE HOSPITAL IN SARATOGA SPRINGS
June 2, 2024
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today highlighted the availability of positron emission tomography (PET) at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The PET machinery is now in place at Rood & Riddle, where it is available for use throughout the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and during the entirety of the 2024 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which opens on July 11 and continues through September 2.
State-of-the-Art Imaging Technologies Utilized in Tandem Provide Veterinarians a Tool for More Rapid, Accurate and Thorough Diagnosis
May 14, 2024
State-of-the-Art Imaging Technologies Utilized in Tandem Provide Veterinarians a Tool for More Rapid, Accurate and Thorough Diagnoses
Equine Safety a Highlight of Kentucky Derby Week
May 10, 2024
“Having the (positron emission tomography) scanner available (here) is certainly advantageous for a horseman,” Farmer said. “It’s a very useful diagnostic tool that can really help answer questions.”
THE 2ND ANNUAL EQUINE PET SYMPOSIUM
May 9-11, 2024
Join leading veterinary diagnostic imaging experts for an exclusive series of live PET user training seminars. From establishing technical and logistical aspects of Equine PET to exploring clinical applications in equine athletes, enjoy a weekend of professional development and networking.
Fee: Free for qualified veterinarians
Registration: Closed
Detecting Stress Fractures to Save Horses’ Lives
November 21, 2023
One of the newest imaging modalities being used in horses—PET scan—is also one of the most effective at identifying stress remodeling, particularly in the fetlocks.
Equine PET SCAN AT CHURCHILL DOWNS
November 8, 2023
See how the equine PET scans are performed at the Hagyard Diagnostic Center at Churchill Downs.
Advances in Regional Vascular Injection Techniques for the Delivery of Stem Cells to Musculoskeletal Injury SiteS
October 23, 2023
This book chapter in the “Use of Biologic and Regenerative Therapies in Equine Practice” (Veterinary Clinics of North America) discusses applications of equine PET imaging for tracking stem cells.
Standing Equine Pet Scanner at the UF Veterinary Hospital at World Equestrian Center
October 19, 2023
Dr. Robin Bell, a clinical professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and an equine sports medicine specialist at the UF Veterinary Hospital at the World Equestrian Center, explains how UF’s standing equine PET Scanner works to help veterinarians pinpoint problems in the horse’s limbs. The technology offers many advantages over traditional bone scans, and images gained in the PET Scanner can be fused with other advanced imaging such asCT and MRI to provide a more comprehensive understanding and diagnosis of your horse’s problem.
AAEP Issues Recommendations for Thoroughbred Racing
October 11, 2023
The AAEP published a series of safety recommendations to complement the current risk assessment processes already in place for Thoroughbred racing in the United States. Among other measures, AAEP recommended the: “Creation of regional PET scan centers at centrally located racetracks throughout the U.S. PET is an advanced imaging modality, and research studies have demonstrated the ability of the PET scan to identify abnormalities associated with an increased risk of injury”.
Positron emission tomography assessment of metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fractures post surgical repair: Prospective study in 14 racehorses
September 21, 2023
This study assess 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) findings associated with metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fractures at the time of fracture repair and through healing.
Screen, Scan, Save: Is This Racing’s Big Fix?
September 6, 2023
A new wave of imaging technologies are proving capable of diagnosing the underlying cause of these problems much earlier than ever before. Some of the industry’s brightest minds say the trick to substantially reducing equine fatalities will be to standardize the combined use of these screening and diagnostic tools, bringing much needed objectivity to what–in identifying lameness–is all too often an exercise in subjectivity.
18f-Sodium FlUORIDE POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY PROVIDES PERTINENT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FOR ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF TARSAL PAIN IN HORSES
August 9, 2023
This study assesses the value of F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) for imaging the tarsus and proximal metatarsus and compares it with CT and lameness evaluation.
effect of ambulation following 18F-Fluorodexyglucose injection on standing positron emission tomography of the healthy equine digit
July 25, 2023
This study provides a range of normal 18F-FDG uptake values for healthy horses undergoing standing PET imaging. A marked increase in ambulatory activity postinjection was associated with significant regional increases in lamellar 18F-FDG uptake, mostly in the medial quarter lamellae; however, the magnitude of the changes is not likely to be clinically relevant under typical environmental and ambulatory conditions in the hospital setting.
Churchill downs has new technology designed to help prevent catastrophic horse injuries. Here’s how it works.
June 8, 2023
It’s a scanning system called a P.E.T. machine; it stands for Positron Emission Tomography. Unlike horse X-rays and other diagnostic equipment, P.E.T. scans go beyond the bone structure to the cellular level to find potential problems. “It allows us to see how the body’s responding, the cells are responding to the stresses of, in our case, race training,” Dr. William Farmer, the equine medical director at Churchill Downs, said.
First Equine PET SymposiuM – University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center
May 18-19, 2023
Join leading veterinary diagnostic imaging experts for an exclusive series of live PET user training seminars. From establishing technical and logistical aspects of Equine PET to exploring clinical applications in equine athletes, enjoy a weekend of professional development and networking.
Fee: Free for qualified veterinarians
Registration: Closed
Establishment of a sequential dual tracer 18F-NaF / 18f-FDG proTocol for imaging the equine foot
March 4, 2023
The combination of 18F-Sodium Fluoride (18F-NaF) and 18F-FluoroDeoxyGlucose (18F-FDG) for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the equine foot is appealing for detection of both osseous and soft tissue lesions in a single scan. As the combination of tracers could lead to a loss of information, a sequential approach, consisting in imaging with one tracer prior to injecting the second tracer, might be valuable. The goals of this prospective, methods comparison, exploratory study were to establish the order of tracer injection and timing for imaging.
PET Scans Give horsemen Insight on When to Run – And When Not to
August 27, 2022
As veterinarians are getting a handle on the promise that PET scans have shown in clinical practice, so are racehorse trainers. Trainer Doug O’Neill said he’s found the technology helpful in determining whether a horse needs a layoff to prevent an injury – and when they don’t.
Longitudinal monitoring of Fetlock Lesions in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using Standing 18F-Sodium Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography
August 18, 2022
This study is a prospective, longitudinal clinical study. Twenty-five racehorses (54 fetlocks) underwent three 18F-NaF PET scans 6 weeks apart. The first 18F-NaF PET scan was performed at the start of a 12-week period of rest from racing (lay-up). Areas of IRU in the fetlock joints were quantified using maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax) and were graded by 2 experienced observers. Statistical comparisons were made between scans to detect changes in IRU grade and SUVmax over time.
The Revolutionary Equine Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scanner
August 5, 2022
PET imaging technology is the newest equine imaging technology and detects small lesions that could not be seen with other imaging technologies. While PET is invaluable in the racetrack setting, as we gain more knowledge on the technology it is emerging as an advanced diagnostics tool for the entire equine sport industry.
The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation: Dedicated to the Development of Equine Research
August 1, 2022
Since its establishment, the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has provided funding for research covering everything from joint injury to a novel Strangles vaccine. The research is largely funded by the donations of individuals and organizations in addition to corporate partners. One recent project that was widely successful was the use of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan on equines.
Standardized uptake values and attenuation correction in 18F-sodium fluoride PET of the equine foot and fetlock
July 24, 2022
The goals of this retrospective secondary analysis study were to provide reference values for 18F-NaF maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax) in the equine distal extremity and assess the effect of attenuation correction
GJCRF research Spotlight: Development of PET Technology for the Equine AtHlete
July 7, 2022
In 2015, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation funded the first research project that performed positron emission tomography (PET) scans on equine athletes. Now, this cutting-edge research will assist vets coast to coast in identifying lameness problems that are hard to locate.
DETECTING STRESS FRACTURES TO SAVE HORSES’ LIVES
June 29, 2022
The racing industry is leading the charge in identifying at-risk athletes before catastrophe occurs. Read more about current diagnostic options in this article excerpt from the June 2022 issue of The Horse.
EFFECT OF AMBULATION FOLLOWING 18F-FLUORODEOXYGLUCOSE INJECTION ON STANDING PET OF THE EQUINE DIGIT
June 23, 2022
Presented by Dr.Andrea Oliver, New Bolton Center at the ACVIM 2002 Forum
PaULICK REPORT: WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED FROM OVER 1,000 PET SCANS OF RACEHORSE FETLOCKS
June 22, 2022
Dr. Mathieu Spriet, an associate professor of surgical and radiological sciences at the University of California, Davis, gave a fascinating presentation during the summit discussing the results of over 1,000 PET scans of racehorse fetlocks.
WELFARE AND SAFETY OF THE RACEHORSE SUMMIT: POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY: KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM OVER 1,000 PET SCANS OF RACEHORSE FETLOCKS
June 22, 2022
In a continuation on the work in California, Dr. Mathieu Spriet, professor of diagnostic imaging at University of California, Davis, presented findings from the use of positron emission tomography (PET) to evaluate fetlocks. In 2019, California installed a standing PET machine that can scan all four limbs in under 20 minutes without the use of anesthesia. The data demonstrated the efficacy of this technology for monitoring horses for injury and tracking healing.
AJVR Editorial: Positron Emission Tomography: A Horse in the Musculoskeletal Imaging Race
June 13, 2022
By Prof. Mathieu Spriet, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
New UF Veterinary Center Opens May 26 at Ocala’s World Equestrian Center
May 26, 2022
Among the unique capabilities the hospital will offer are advanced diagnostic imaging technology, including the CT, MRI, and PET scanner. Each of these provides different types of information and may be used in combination to provide more specific and accurate diagnostic information to better diagnose lameness and orthopedic problems.
RACING VICTORIA: New Scanners to Boost Horse Welfare
May 17, 2022
The Australian first equine PET scanner at Werribee will improve the Centre’s ability to identify areas of concerns in horses, further enhancing safety and welfare and will be operational from 2023.
BLOOD HORSE: ROOD and RIDDLE INSTALLS PET SCANNER
March 16, 2022
Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital announced March 16 the installation of an equine positron emission tomography scanner at the Lexington hospital. A PET scanner is used for diagnostic imaging in select lameness cases and can be used in standing, sedated horses. It does not require general anesthesia.
The HORSE: Standing PET versus Scintigraphy for Imaging the Fetlock
February 26, 2022
Racetrack veterinarians can trust PET when looking for fetlock pathologies that can potentially lead to serious injuries if left undiagnosed.
Validation of a Dedication Positron Emission Tomography Scanner for Imaging of the Distal Limb of Standing HorsES
February 21, 2022
A positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, with an openable ring of detectors, was specifically designed to image the distal limb of standing horses. The goals of this prospective, preclinical, experimental, methods comparison study were to validate the safety of the scanner, assess image quality, and optimize scanning protocols.
A Fresh Look at the Causes of Navicular Disease
January 17, 2022
Getting to the root of podotrochlosis, one of the most common causes of lameness, is an ongoing process. Learn about risk factors for the disease and how veterinarians diagnose it.