Lou Crow Infrared Imaging

31/12/2023

Looking to buy or LWVTB
Ideally around 16.3 mare or gelding, project or schoolmaster for grassroots eventing. TBs welcome as long as sound, kind and brave. However only have a small budget. If anyone has or knows of anyone suitable please pm🤞

18/08/2023

🌟Stifle Case Study🌟

LF/ RH limb lameness, lacking in impulsion. Unwillingness to maintain canter on the right hind. Frequent episodes of disuniting.

After imaging RH stifle was blocked out and a significant improvement was noted. X-ray/ ultrasound were limited in finding so an orthoscopy was performed. Defective stifle cartilage was diagnosed - developmental condition of the cartilage., RS worse that LS.

Infrared imaging helped to identify stifle pathology

12/08/2023

Poor Performance

The owner of this lovely mare asked me to perform a Vet-IR Full Body Scan to help her vet with his further investigation.

Brief clinical history is as follows:

* A-symmetrical pelvis so is mechanically unsound
* SI injected- no improvement
* SI scanned internally and no arthritic changes present but still
reacts negatively on manipulation
* Scoped with ulcers, still present after 6-7 weeks on re scope
* Weaning off gastroguard now, but would say they maybe
probably haven’t gone completely
* Ovaries scanned when in season and all looked normal
* Definitely uncomfortable bending on the right rein
* Still being ridden, fine now to hack, have started some schooling
in the big fields as not happy in the arena
* Next step is to block the SI, X-ray the neck and check for PSD

Both her owner and myself are now waiting tentatively for the Vet-IR report....

27/07/2023

Thank you admin for allowing me to share Part 1 of my diary of my ex racehorse Miss Geronimo. I hope that this group will also find Part 2 of help and interest. If so please like and follow my page to ensure you don’t miss any further posts 😊

27/07/2023

Tendons & Ligaments

Infrared Imaging is non-invasive, and is also the most effective “preventative” modality through its ability to detect temperature changes indicative of early inflammation or circulatory disruption.

In fact, Infrared Imaging has repeatedly demonstrated signs of soft-tissue injury, such as tendon or ligament damage, two weeks BEFORE any clinical signs of lameness, or heat or swelling were detected.

24/07/2023

19/07/2023

Following my last post, another interesting read…

18/07/2023

Ex Race Horses

If your thinking of buying one or already own one, this article is a great read.

These horses can indeed change their career to become great partners in many different disciplines.

But how many riders understand what may be going on underneath them and why those subtle or severe behavioural issues are happening?

If you are considering buying an ex race horse, please be prepared to take the time to ensure your horse is as physically and mentally happy as possible.

Ex-racehorses make great riding horses, but many come with physical issues. Learning how to identify them can save you, the buyer, a lot of heartache.

14/07/2023

How Thermal Imaging can help you and your horse...

Now the competition season is in full swing, Vet-IR (thermal imaging) is an excellent tool to use for regular maintenance and to monitor your horse.

Used at regular intervals it can be used to identify possible changes in the horse before it becomes a problem.

For more info, free consultations and for bookings don't delay and contact me today!

13/07/2023

Having performance issues or a difficult to diagnose lameness that you can’t quite pinpoint?

Infrared Imaging can help localise the source of pain or discomfort, an invaluable tool to help assess your horse and help with the decision-making process when proceeding further into investigation or treatment.

Unsure if IR Imaging is right for you and your horse? PM for more info and a free consultation.

12/07/2023

Absolutely fascinating. Anyone starting a young horse / producing young horses and TBs off the track should watch this.

Thank you Becks Nairn for all your work!

11/07/2023

The pelvis is a ring of bones formed of three fused bones; Ilium, ischium and p***s. The lower part of the horses back, the sacrum, is formed of 5 fused vertebrae. The sacroiliac joint (SI) is the joint where the sacrum passes underneath the top of the pelvis (tubera sacrale). The SI joint is strengthened by the ligaments; dorsal, ventral and interosseous sacroiliac ligaments.

SI pain is either inflammation of the joint or ligaments surrounding the joint. The SI joint functions to transfer propulsion from the hindlimbs to the spine, supporting the horses back and driving the horse forward from its hindquarters when in motion.

The signs that a horse maybe suffering from SI pain are subtle and insidious in onset and progression. Typically the signs are exacerbated when the horse is ridden under-saddle and can be easier to appreciate by the rider than to be seen by an observer.

Diagnosis is challenging and treatment involves a combination of medication and rehabilitation.

Please message if you would like more information on how Vet-IR can assist with diagnosing SI pain.

08/07/2023

Post medication of SI and spine which were treated in April and further investigation last week of the neck, revealed OA in the CT junction and ossification over the neutral ligament. Which were also medicated.
I’m super happy and relieved that all the blood, sweat and tears is now paying off.
Also quietly excited to see how the rest of the summer goes 🤞😊
Thank you Aspire Equestrian Riding Academy for all your help and great post!

Working with horses off the track means working with many challenges that non-racers rarely experience. It makes me think of a cliche comparison to peeling an onion. You constantly unravel layers that needs addressing and when you do give them attention, shiny new layer appears.
We now know that overwhelming numbers of ex racehorses present issues with SI dysfunction, “kissing spine syndrome “ and cervical vertebrae issues (various degrees of arthritic changes in the neck).
I often feel like retraining them equals studying a veterinary manual 😅

Having said that, working with off track thoroughbreds is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.

Here’s a short summary of milestones reached within the last 6 months with Hope:

- anxious/tense mouth & jaw behaviours nearly gone
- mental focus retention improving nearly every session (Hope could easily be renamed Miss Distracted 😉)
- marked improvement in back & neck relaxation in walk and trot
- responsiveness to rider’s intensions hugely improved on and off the saddle (during groundwork)
- ability to offer bend on both reins without tension noticeably improved

A long list of things to work on always there but well done to for all the diligence and patience 😁

01/07/2023

Pinch punch first day of the month, welcome July ☀️

29/06/2023

Hope’s veterinary report, further investigation found SI disease and kissing spine which have now been treated. Her neck is being x rayed on Monday. Updates to follow …

29/06/2023

Since my last post, Hope has indeed shown much improvement but I am now having her neck investigated as I really wouldn’t be surprised to find some arthritis in the CT junction. As the way Hope carries herself when cantering and jumping seems indicative of this.
Further update to follow …

27/06/2023

The Vet-IR report of a full body scan I performed on a 6 yr, Warmblood, Dressage horse came back highlighting areas of concern with the advice being:

‘that as the horse is young and been out of work, some of the highlighted areas may be reflective of this and if no clinical concern to commence with ground and ridden work with repeat imaging in a few months to monitor these areas’.

My client found the whole report really useful as it picked up areas which herself and her horse’s physio had concerns about and also gave her the reassurance to continue with working him rather than turning him away.

I always like to keep in contact with all my clients for updates on their horse’s progress, it’s always so rewarding to hear positive feedback.

19/06/2023

'Reviewing the entire patient in a non invasive capacity before deciding on the next course of action has many benefits.

Infrared Imaging is a commercially viable diagnostic modality to add to the veterinary practice’s toolbox, increasing lameness investigation, treatment monitoring and uptake of early stage detection strategies'

Physiological imaging suggested that the levels of thoracic spine and left SI joint activity were significant.

Upon investigation the owner's vet noted that upon palpation there was sensitivity over the thoracic and sacroiliac regions.

X rays were conducted and several impinging dorsal spinal processes were found.

16/06/2023

Niggles are often signs of chronic dysfunction (the words pain or lameness can be interchanged with dysfunction - they’re all the same) and the longer they go on, the harder they are to diagnose and treat.

Horses often find themselves under veterinary investigation due to lameness.

Where a horse was fine one day and came in from the field ‘hopping lame, on 3 legs’ the next would normally be described as acute lameness cases which in theory is straight forward to diagnose.

But dig a little deeper and you might find that the horse had in fact been ‘not quite right’ for some time. Perhaps taking the odd uneven step, looking a bit stiff or slightly uncomfortable after or before exercise or competition, or not enjoying their work or exercise as they once were.

Nothing in particular to cause concern, just a few ni**les. These ni**les were likely showing for days, weeks, months or even years before resulting in the acute lameness that is now presenting. In fact they might have been present for so long that they’re now considered normal or just part of the ageing process.

The ni**les are subtle and likely to affect multiple areas of the body as the horse has been coping with them for so long.

These ni**les are signs of chronic dysfunction (you can interchange the words pain or lameness with dysfunction - they’re all the same) and the longer it goes on, the harder it is to diagnose and treat.

As a nation we’re used to ignoring chronic pain. We’re encouraged to not make a fuss or self medicate with painkillers which just block the feeling of pain rather than solve the problem.

The longer a ni**le persists, the more we learn to live with it and manage by day, ignoring the cumulative effect they'll have tomorrow.

Athletes are different. They know that to perform at their best they need to prevent injuries. They monitor and treat any little ni**le before they turn into something more serious, understanding that prevention is better than cure.

Physiological infrared imaging has the unique ability to identify changes taking place within the body as a result of injury or disease potentially before they would show up on other modalities that look at changes to structures such as x-ray, MRI or ultrasound.

With regular monitoring changes can be identified before acute lameness, or even signs of chronic pain, are evident giving the opportunity to intervene sooner for a better outcome.

Infrared imaging has the added advantage of being a non-invasive and cost effective way to look at and assess the whole animal. This information can be used to devise a treatment and rehabilitation plan that manages both the primary and any resulting secondary dysfunctions.

14/06/2023

Did You Know?

* Infrared Imaging (thermal imaging) is sensitive
enough to identify minimal changes in the
temperature of a joint which is the first
sign of arthritis.

* Currently X-rays are the standard diagnostic used
to detect arthritis, but can only detect in later
stages since only bone and not cartilage is visible.

* Infrared Imaging can help veterinary surgeons
determine whether an arthritis treatment is working
or whether needed by measuring the changes in
joint temperature.

* Over 60% of lameness in horses is due to
osteoarthritis.

Please feel free to pm for further information and advice.

12/06/2023

“Thermography provides another link in the chain of diagnostics”

Lucinda has been using Vet-IR infrared imaging for her own horses and those of her clients since 2016.

Lucinda Ticehurst, BSc BVMed Sci (Hons) BVM BVS MRCVS Equine Veterinary Surgeon at Averley Equine.

To read the full article please click or copy and paste -
https://www.vet-ir.com/imaging-services/

10/06/2023

Infrared Imaging measures the emitted thermal radiation from the skin’s surface.

The amount of infrared radiation detected by the technology is dependent on both the animal’s physiological state at the time of scanning. As well as numerous environmental factors that need to be considered in order to achieve accurate results.

08/06/2023

The trials and tribulations of retraining an ex racehorse!

It’s been a tricky week for Lou & Hope with the mare being in season and our session today wasn’t great either.
Hormonal changes and behaviours they bring don’t go hand in hand with our training goals which is why we keep them flexible 🙌
I think both intact horses, dogs and humans in training have a lot in common when going through hormonal cycles. After all, the endocrine system helps control mood, growth, metabolism , sleep/rest to name just a few functions. We can’t expect the same results at all times and that’s absolutely fine.

07/06/2023

🌟🌟🌟 Testimonial 🌟🌟🌟

After years of trying convince various vets that Ludo’s gait has altered and is having a detrimental impact on his ability to move correctly, your scan has definitively shown specific “hot spots” which we can now seek to address.

Already, working with a specialist osteopath, we are seeing significant improvement in both Ludo’s behaviour and mobility. The fact that the scan was non-invasive and didn’t require any sedation was a major plus for us and the information and support you provided throughout was outstanding.

I would definitely recommend you to anyone who knows something is wrong with their horse but can’t quite put their finger on it.

I am convinced your service and subsequent report has saved us thousands of pounds in exploratory vet fees and also saved Ludo from progressive pain and frustration!

05/06/2023

Low grade lameness – early detection of soft tissue mass

Vet-IR

02/06/2023

Interesting poor performance case...

Young dressage horse, lacking impulsion, had become one sided and found right canter more difficult. 1/10 lame.

Working with the attending vet, Infrared imaging helped identify a suspensory ligament injury.

Fingers crossed for a successful and speedy recovery 🤞

-ir

30/05/2023

Summer Motivation...

Is your horse fit for the competition season?
Have you thought of using infrared (thermal) imaging?

Did you know that IR imaging can give an indication of areas of concern before the horse presents any obvious signs of lameness. Therefore providing the opportunity for early investigation as well as being a useful and effective tool to use for monitoring purposes.

29/05/2023

I had a lovely day off today, visiting the British Library to see the Animal, Arts, Science & Sound Exhibition.

No surprise that I was drawn to the section on horses and was so pleased to see the classic movie pictures of the American photographer Eadweard Muybridge being included.. Which are as poignant now as they were over 120 years ago.

I wrote a blog five years ago where I shared a handful of cases and reflected on some common veterinary issues I regularly come across, I also used these pictures and excerpt taken from a report on Fetlock Lameness, by Dr Robert Bell and Professor Leo Jeffcott - It’s importance and how MRI can assist in making the difficult diagnosis, 2011.

'Lameness involving the fetlock joint is an all too common problem in performance horses and racehorses. Injuries to this region may involve the joint itself or the surrounding soft tissues, and are often determined by the use of the horse. The fetlock is a complicated high motion joint that is always subjected to huge forces and stresses during locomotion.

The classic movie pictures of the American photographer Eadweard Muybridge taken over 120 years ago (pictured below) clearly show the degree of extension of the fetlock during galloping in the horse'

You can read my full blog here https://loucrowblog.wordpress.com/

26/05/2023

Friday’s Findings

Just a couple of examples from the week…

Stifles
There is evidence of thermal inflammatory patterns associated with the medial aspect of both stifles both before and after exercise. In particular the left stifle and associated inguinal region is significantly more hyperthermic post exercise.

Hind limbs
After exercise there is thermal asymmetry of the bilateral hyperthermic inflammatory patterns associated with both hocks (especially right side) and the hindlimb suspensory apparatus.