‘As a practice we have always embraced up-to-date, quality equipment,’ says Chris O’Sullivan of REC Equine Specialists. ‘We carefully evaluate new diagnostic equipment and are early adopters.’
REC has been in operation for over 70 years – first as the solo practice of Dr Percy Sykes, then as P.E. Sykes and Partners, then as Randwick Equine Centre. It’s grown significantly over that time, not just in size but in the range of services and specialities it offers. It remains an equine practice, but the narrow focus on racing thoroughbreds has changed as the practice has evolved. REC vets and staff now look after sport horses, performance horses, pleasure horses, ponies and even donkeys as well.
Chris O’Sullivan is a specialist equine surgeon who first joined the practice in the 1990s, before digital x-ray was used in Australia. He was delighted when REC Equine Specialists got their first DR radiography units from Radincon in 2006.
‘Before that we were using a combination of film and computed radiography. We have now moved on to a practice that only has digital radiography using flat panel sensors. This system is far more efficient, mobile and provides the ability to store and transfer images quickly via the internet.’
He also notes a couple of special challenges when working with horses and other large animals.
Horses break things
Horses evolved as prey animals and often they can exhibit fairly dramatic flight or fright responses. Many also weigh over 500kg. In combination, these points can put people working with horse, and the equipment they use, at risk. ‘We do our best to provide a calm environment and typically use sedation to facilitate our imaging. All the same, there are occasions when high end equipment is easily damaged by a horse.’ says Chris. ‘Radincon have been supplying and repairing our digital radiography equipment, along with many of our other imaging needs including ultrasound, for years. They have provided a good and consistent service over this time.’
REC now have 8 RAD-X DR systems supplied by Radincon, and also 2 high-end Ultrasound systems. So there’s always equipment available to investigate, diagnose and form treatment plans.
Horses are bigger than humans
Most diagnostic imaging systems are designed for humans, then modified and adopted by vets for use on horses. In addition to the systems supplied by Radincon, REC Equine acquired a Qalibra system direct from Germany in 2021, which utilises a Canon Aquilion Large Bore (90cm) human CT system.
The large gantry aperture makes it easier to examine more regions of the horse. The spine, stifle, pelvis and shoulder regions typically cannot fit in a smaller unit. With the Canon Aquilion Exceed LB, they’re all possible.
In the Qalibra system, the CT device comes mounted on a stable platform within a pit, which allows the unit to be moved to a variety of different levels and positions. This means REC vets can image horses’ heads and the majority of both forelimbs and hindlimbs under standing sedation. Studies of the spine, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, stifle, elbows and shoulders require a short general anaesthetic.
‘CT has revolutionised our advanced imaging practice, in a way similar to the introduction of our scintigraphy ‘bone scan’ unit in the 1990s’, says Chris. ‘Recent advances in CT software mean it is now great for evaluation of soft tissue injuries, a realm previously reserved for ultrasound and MRI. The speed of study acquisitions makes it capable of imaging the limbs of horses more efficiently than standing MRI units. The quality of the Canon Aquilion unit along with the accompanying software allows for amazing detail in 3D imaging for both soft tissue and bone.
Canon CT equipment is now available in Australia via Radincon, with local technicians on hand to install, train and maintain as necessary. The Canon Aquilion systems feature the industry’s thinnest slices for high resolution. As mentioned, the , plus the widest CT gantry, with a 78cm wide bore and a 47cm wide couch to optimise
