The below information provides an indicative cost breakdown of the diagnostic imaging options (before the 50 per cent subsidy is applied) available as part of the Diagnostic Imaging Subsidy Program offered by Racing Victoria:
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
What: MRI uses magnetic fields and resistance to create high-quality three-dimensional images of bone, fluid and soft tissue. MRI shows an image of the physical change occurring during injury or disease. Multiple images are collected of the area of concern. All standing MRI units are low-field, so those images have less detail than high-field MRI and CT.
Where: Ballarat Veterinary Practice Equine Clinic (Standing Procedure) or U-Vet Werribee - High Field MRI (with General Anaesthesia).
How much (full fee): High field MRI: up to $3,200 and Standing MRI: $2,995.
Scintigraphy (bone scan)
What: The patient is injected with a radioactive substance and a few hours later a gamma camera records which areas of the body have increased uptake of the radioactive substance. These areas are commonly known as hot spots—areas of increased bone activity (or soft tissue inflammation or cell turnover).
Where: Ballarat Veterinary Practice Equine Clinic, Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital or U-Vet Werribee.
How much (full fee): Up to $3,000.
CT: Computed Tomography
What: The standing CT scanner for horses allows efficient three-dimensional imaging of the lower limb and identification of otherwise undetected bone damage. It is essentially cross-sectional radiographs and very useful, providing excellent, high-detailed images for bone and fair to good images for soft tissues. Images can be viewed in multiple planes and at multiple angles. The quality and contrast of images created by CT is far superior to standard x-ray.
Where: U-Vet Werribee.
How much (full fee): Approximately $1,200 - $2,000*.
* Already
partially subsided by RV and the State Government via investment in the Equine
Limb Injury Prevention Program.
Please note: All costs are subject to change and must only be used as a guide. Full prices including GST will be determined by the participating practices delivering the diagnostic imaging.