Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists has signed a lease agreement to install a standing equine MRI machine at its facility, which sits opposite the backstretch of Belmont Park, in Elmont, New York.
The system will be installed later this spring.
“We are thrilled to help a top-notch facility offer even more services to its clients,” says Dan Brown, BVSc, MRCVS, business development director at Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging. “Our standing equine MRI machine offers veterinarians the ability to accurately diagnosis lameness issues without the hassle and risk that accompanies a down MRI. We know from experience this will benefit the health and safety of race and sport horses across New York state.”
The standing MRI system allows imaging of an equine foot and lower limb in a standing position without the time, expense, and risk associated with general anesthesia. The standing equine MRI system allows lameness issues to be identified prior to competitions and can be used to manage the training of equine athletes. Additionally, the standing MRI can reveal lesions such as fractures weeks before any damage would be visible on an X ray.
“The ability to assess a horse’s soundness prior to competition without the risk of anesthesia is a win-win for all of us who care about the health of equine athletes,” says Alan Nixon, DVM, chief medical officer of Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists. “The proximity of Cornell Ruffian MRI to elite equine athletes offers a convenient resource to easily diagnose suspected lameness cases before a horse competes. In addition, we can easily treat injuries right after they occur and evaluate horses during recovery.”