The scanner is the latest in the hospital’s range of specialist diagnostic tools and state of the art facilities. Their range of equipment combined with their experienced and globally renowned team makes the Philip Leverhulme hospital one of the busiest equine referral centres in the UK.
Veterinary surgeon Dr Peter Milner of the University of Liverpool, commented

“We see MRI as great benefit in investigation of lameness in the horse and has already helped in unravelling difficult and challenging orthopaedic cases. The MRI unit will also provide us with a valuable tool for musculoskeletal research, a recognised strength within the equine department at Leahurst, successfully headed by Professor Peter Clegg”.

According to Hallmarq, the scanner will assist the hospital in diagnosing cases of lameness more reliably than ever before. MRI technology is revolutionising the treatment of lameness with its ability to reveal details of internal structures beyond the scope of x-rays and ultrasound, offering the most comprehensive and accurate imaging modalities currently available for foot and limb tissue pathologies.

Outbreaks of bluetongue disease in East Anglia are an indication that its close relative African Horse Sickness is poised to strike the UK horse industry, warns Paul Jepson, chief executive and resident veterinary surgeon at The Horse Trust.

Speaking at The Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Seminar at Cheltenham racecourse last week, Mr Jepson said: "The midge-borne African Horse Sickness (AHS) virus, closely related to Bluetongue virus, may strike the UK's equine population in the future, in which case high mortality might be expected."

The severity of the effects of African Horse sickness and its social and economic impact, mean it is listed as notifiable by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in Paris, by the European Commission in Brussels under Directive 92/25/EC and therefore also in UK legislation under the Infectious Diseases of Horses Order 1987. This means that, in practice, if there is any suspicion of AHS, Defra must be notified immediately and stringent measures taken to control the disease.

"The incubation period for AHS is usually 7 to 14 days, but may be as short as two days," Mr Jepson warned. "The illness is profound and typically features fever, breathing difficulties and death usually within a week of the onset of symptoms."

The disease is spread by the same Culicoides midges as those which transmit Bluetongue virus. In horses the mortality rate can be as high as 90%. In donkeys the mortality rate is much lower (about 10%) and there are concerns that donkeys and certain other exotic species may act as carriers for some time following infection. Infected midges can be blown by the wind for more than 100 km and transported long distances in farm vehicles.

"The Horse Trust has recently launched a disease awareness campaign for AHS," Mr Jepson told the conference. "A working group has been set up involving Defra and others from the horse industry to look at how best Government and industry can work together to prepare for and manage any such outbreak.

"In particular this group is considering the difficulties that might be encountered and working to provide options to prevent and resolve problems."

Horse owner Cate Ashton has launched a new website http://www.manage-my-horse.com/ for 'conscientious horse owners, yard managers and equestrian professionals'.

The impressive-looking (and free) site allows members to record almost every facet of their horse’s life in one place – breeding, training and exercise journals, accident and rehabilitation records, health, wellbeing, worming, vaccination and medical information, weight and condition scoring, competition records and all expenses and income.

In addition there is a diary to store appointments, an address book for personal and business contacts and a forum. The feed section allows for management of diet and nutritional needs and the reporting section gives printouts and reports instantly.

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