Scintigraphy uses substances labeled with weak radioactive isotopes to visualize pathological changes in the body. The image produced is called a scintigram.
After injection of a radioactive substance, it accumulates in the organ or tissue to be examined. This is associated with a waiting time of several minutes to several hours (bones), depending on the tissue. The radioactive substance is excreted in the urine. To prevent urine from interfering with the scintigram during the waiting period, horses' hooves are protected with overshoes and their legs with bandages.
Scintigraphy is performed with small animals lying down and with horses standing. To obtain optimal images, a mild sedative is administered. A gamma camera measures the radiation emitted and converts it into a colored image that shows the metabolic activity in the respective organ or tissue.
In order to visualize all structures of the bony pelvis, it may be necessary to administer a diuretic to empty the bladder.
The most common applications in small animals are examinations of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism in cats, see corresponding article, and hypothyroidism in dogs, see corresponding article), bone and kidney function tests. Scintigraphy of the lungs, lymph nodes or in cases of suspected portosystemic shunt (see corresponding article) is performed less frequently.
In horses, scintigraphy is mainly used to diagnose orthopedic diseases, riding problems, and unexplained lameness. In particular, changes in the head, neck, back, sacrum, or pelvis, which are sometimes inaccessible to X-rays and ultrasound in horses, can be localized in this way.
Scintigraphy offers various advantages over other imaging diagnostic methods (see corresponding article).
It can be used to determine the performance of the right and left kidneys separately.
In cases of hyperthyroidism (= hyperthyroidism), scintigraphy can be used to locate not only the diseased thyroid lobe, but also the causative thyroid tissue located outside the thyroid gland.
Bone tumors, inflammation, fractures, metastases, hairline fractures, and other diseases can be detected months earlier than with X-rays, for example.
In addition, it is possible to examine the entire body during a single examination if, for example, the cause of lameness cannot be limited to a specific area.
Compared to an X-ray image, a scintigram provides less detail but helps to identify areas of change. Further diagnostic tests such as X-rays or ultrasound (see relevant articles) are then required to determine exactly which structure in this area is causing the problem.
A scintigraphy is generally harmless, as the radiation exposure from the radioactive substance is very low. Due to the applicable radiation protection regulations, pet owners are not allowed to be present during the examination. Some of the radioactive substance is excreted in the urine and feces, while the rest remains in the body and slowly decays. To protect pet owners from this low level of radiation exposure, patients remain in the radiation protection area of the veterinary clinic for 12-48 hours after a scintigraphy.
One topic that many horse owners don't like to think about is that horses need to be transported from time to time. It is important to be prepared for this and to actually practice loading and transporting your horse in advance. Because when it suddenly comes to "putting the horse in the horse trailer," some animals can be more stubborn than expected. Loading and transporting horses causes a certain amount of stress for them. Even the most experienced horses, who travel to competitions every weekend, will show some signs of tension. But transport is a matter of practice; the more we make it a routine, the easier it becomes for the horse. To get a horse from A to B, it goes without saying that the towing vehicle and horse trailer must be compatible and that the technical requirements must be met. It is also very important to carry the horse's equine passport with you.
The puppy has moved in and everyone is thrilled! This is an exciting time, when your new family member has a lot to discover and learn. Of course, as a new dog owner, you also have a responsibility to ensure a good start to a happy future together. One of the most important tasks is to house-train your dog as quickly as possible.
When a cat is in heat, it can be exhausting for the people who live with her, because she will suddenly change completely. However, her instinct to mate also causes her distress.
Pulmonary stenosis, also known as pulmonary artery stenosis, is one of the most common congenital heart diseases in dogs and describes the narrowing of the pulmonary artery, which originates in the right ventricle. This heart disease is extremely rare in cats.
A withers fistula refers to any disease of the horse's withers that is accompanied by inflammation and fistula formation.
Many people find birds fascinating. And some feathered friends can not only live with "their" human for a very long time, but also form a close bond with them. But what do you actually need to ensure that everything is perfectly prepared when your feathered roommates move in?
Syncope refers to fainting or circulatory collapse that occurs suddenly without warning and leads to a temporary loss of consciousness in animals. The dog collapses suddenly and shows no signs of life. After a short time, it regains consciousness and behaves as it did before the syncope.
Ectropion is a malposition of the eyelid that mainly affects the lower eyelid. The outer edge of the eyelid is turned outward and hangs down, which is why it is also referred to as a "drooping eyelid." This malposition prevents the eyelid from closing normally, leaving the eye permanently slightly open.
Tracheal collapse is a condition in dogs that causes the windpipe (trachea) to collapse. It mainly affects small breeds such as Yorkshire terriers, miniature Spitz, poodles, and Pekingese. The condition often manifests itself in the first few months of life, sometimes with severe breathing problems.
The tendons are part of the musculoskeletal system and act as the connecting links between the muscles and the skeleton. They consist of strong, flexible tissue, transfer energy from the muscles to the bones, and thus enable targeted movement. Their special structure, consisting of parallel connective tissue fibers grouped together in bundles, gives them enormous tensile strength and elasticity. The flexor tendons of the front legs are particularly exposed to extreme stress in horses, as more than half of the body weight has to be carried by the forehand. Tendon damage is one of the most common causes of lameness, especially in sport horses. In most cases, the structures affected on the front leg are the superficial flexor tendon, the deep flexor tendon, the suspensory ligament, and the fetlock joint (see diagram). As there are very few nerves and blood vessels in the tendon tissue, healing is very slow.
Myiasis is the medical term for fly maggot infestation in rabbits, which occurs primarily in the warm summer months and in injured or weakened animals. The disease is often underestimated, but can be life-threatening for rabbits.
This muscle disease, which was only discovered in recent years, occurs primarily in Quarter Horses and cold-blooded animals and is characterized by the storage of excessive amounts of glycogen (animal starch stored in cells) in the horse's muscles. It is known as polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM).
