UQ VETS

Diagnostic imaging

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UQ VETS Equine Specialist Hospital is one of Australia’s leading providers of gold-standard diagnostic imaging for horses. We're staffed by full-time, dedicated radiologists and radiographers.

We offer Queensland’s only computed tomography (CT), bone scan and standing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment and facilities in addition to direct digital radiography (DDR) and ultrasound. 

 For horse owners and trainers

You'll need a referral from your veterinarian to access our diagnostic imaging services.

Your horse can be referred internally if they're already a patient with us.

After referral, contact us to arrange an appointment. Appointment waiting times may be longer than usual.

 For referring vets

You're welcome to contact us to discuss your patient's case and treatment options before you make a referral.

Complete our online referral form to arrange outpatient diagnostic imaging services for CT, DDR, ultrasound and bone scans/nuclear medicine.

Visit our referring vets page for more information.

Onsite service

Our advanced diagnostic imaging is located onsite at UQ VETS Equine Specialist Hospital.

Direct digital radiography (DDR)

  • Our DDR uses an X-ray generator together with grids and positioning aids to produce diagnostic images. 
  • We use a Denoix cone to take back radiographs.
  • We use a C-arm to create images during surgery and to repair fractures with high accuracy.  
  • We store patient images on our hospital-wide picture system (PACS) and share diagnostic images with referring vets.

Computed tomography (CT)

  • We're the only providers of CT in Queensland.
  • We use CT to create 3D images of a horse’s distal limbs, head and neck to aid diagnosis, treatment and surgical planning.  
  • Our CT exams are performed under general anaesthesia on a purpose-built equine table.

CT scan 3D view

View a 3D reconstruction of a horse's comminuted middle phalanx fracture (YouTube, 4s).

Nuclear medicine/bone scans

  • We're the only providers of bone scans in Queensland.
  • We use bone scans/scintigraphy to help us localise an area in horses with non-specific lameness. 
  • Bone scans involve injecting radioactive liquid into the horse's blood stream for uptake by soft tissue and bones. 
  • A gamma camera detects radiation ‘hot spots’ to create an image. 
  • Our scintigraphy suite is used for investigating complicated lameness cases.

Standing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

We're the only providers of standing MRI in Queensland and just one of three in Australia. Our exams are performed while your horse is sedated.

Standing MRI:

  • uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce diagnostic images of bone and soft tissue in a standing horse’s distal limbs. 
  • is used to diagnose lameness and disease, assess injuries and monitor rehabilitation. 

Ultrasound

  • Our high-quality ultrasound machines are used for a diverse range of cases, from colic to musculoskeletal exams.
  • Our specialist clinicians offer ultrasound-guided injections for joint, tendons and ligament injuries.  
  • We use echocardiography/heart ultrasound to diagnose heart abnormalities and murmurs.
  • Our heart examinations can include colour/tissue doppler and speckle analyses.

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