OCALA, FL (352today.com) – New technology at an Ocala equine hospital is revolutionizing the way CT scans are performed on horses.

On Thursday, July 18, Peterson Smith Equine Hospital (PSEH) announced the newest enhancement to its equine healthcare system; a recently completed CT wing.

According to PSEH, the installation of the Qalibra Aquillion Exceed LB Computed Tomography (CT) system features industry-leading technology.

The advanced CT unit will enable safe and efficient diagnostic imaging of patients that are under sedation or anesthesia while standing.

Dr. Andrew Smith, an associate surgeon at PSEH, observes images generated by the new CT system. Courtesy: PSEH
A closer look at the new CT machine at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital which makes standing scans for four-legged patients possible. Courtesy: PSEH

“With access to these detailed three-dimensional images from the CT scan as part of our diagnostic process, we can confidently identify specific issues and plan surgeries and treatment more effectively,” said Dr. Faith Hughes of Peterson Smith Equine Hospital. “Whether it’s extracting a tooth, addressing a sinus issue, or diagnosing some rare conditions of the skull and neck, the CT scan provides clear insights.”

PSEH says the enhanced imagining from the CT unit will provide their veterinary team with critical information that will improve the health outcomes of equine patients.

“The CT scan pinpoints the location and severity of disease and allows our treatments to be less invasive and more thorough. Such details are clearly visible on the CT scan but often elusive on traditional X-rays,” said Hughes.

PSEH says it also made upgrades to its lobby and examination rooms and constructed a cutting-edge standing surgery suite.