Bringing the Most Advanced Diagnostic Imaging to Equine Athletes

September 24, 2021

A horse is shown with its head resting on a pillow in the CT machine waiting to be scanned
The Qalibra system, recently installed in the Caesars Entertainment Equine Specialty Hospital, enables the CT machine to be adjusted in height to the size of the horse and moved horizontally over the patient during the scan, allowing the patient to stand without restraint. (Photo courtesy of Qalibra)
A digital scan showing the side of the horse's leg
A sagittal CT slice of a horse that presented with chronic lameness localized to the fetlock with previous diagnostic efforts unable to conclusively provide a diagnosis. The fetlock joint of the standing horse was examined in the CT with intra-articular contrast agent administration (arthrography). The patient’s veterinary team was able to diagnose the horse with mild osteoarthritis of the fetlock joint. (Photo courtesy of Qalibra)

Equine athletes in Indiana now have access to the latest diagnostic imaging technology thanks to installation of the Qalibra Computed Tomography (CT) machine at the Caesars Entertainment Equine Specialty Hospital, a satellite facility of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine located in Shelbyville, Ind.  The helical (spiral) CT features the world’s largest field-of-view and can be adjusted in height according to the size of the horse, making it possible to scan patients while they are safely standing or under general anesthesia or light sedation.

Developed in Germany by equine specialists in conjunction with Canon Medical, the Qalibra CT system also will be installed in the new David and Bonnie Brunner Equine Hospital that is being built on the Purdue University campus with an anticipated opening in spring 2022.  At that point, of the three known Qalibra CT installations in the United States, the College of Veterinary Medicine will have two of them.

A front view of the large cylinder where a patient is placed for the computed tomography scan
A front view of the gantry on the Qalibra CT machine, which was specially designed to serve equine patients. (Photo courtesy of Qalibra)

Located near Indiana Grand Racing and Casino, the Caesars Entertainment Equine Specialty Hospital provides expert veterinary medical diagnostics and treatment for Indiana’s growing equine industry. Dr. Timm Gudehus, the hospital’s senior equine surgeon, explains the facility offers such specialized services as advanced equine surgery, including long-bone fracture repair; orthopedic examinations involving advanced diagnostic imaging, including nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan); other diagnostic services such as ultrasound and dynamic endoscopy; and treatments that incorporate a range of biologics and stem cell therapy.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Fall CPB Picnic Fosters Celebration and Connections

Togetherness was a focus of an annual tradition hosted recently by the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology. The annual departmental picnic September 20 at West Lafayette’s Happy Hollow Park brought together faculty, staff, students, and their families for an afternoon of connection and celebration.

PVM Leader Lends Voice to the “Why I Give” Component of Purdue’s United Way Campaign

Giving is personal. So, several Purdue University faculty and staff are supporting the Purdue United Way Campaign by sharing their personal reasons for why they give.  Among those who have provided answers to that question is Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty member and administrator Dr. Kenitra Hendrix.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Logan Weldon, who is a large animal veterinary assistant in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, is being recognized this week for supporting a team member.

Running like the wind: Studying asthma in horses helps lead human health insights

As Purdue focuses attention on research that is part of the university’s One Health strategic initiative, the spotlight is shining on Purdue Veterinary Medicine studies linking animal health with human health. One example, highlighted by the university this week, involves equine asthma research explained in an article by Purdue Brand Studio Senior Science Writer Brittany Steff.

Memorial Service Scheduled for Dr. Meliton Novilla, PVM Adjunct Associate Professor

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine Community is saddened to learn of the passing of an adjunct associate professor, Dr. Meliton Novilla, who was respected as an influential veterinary toxicologic pathologist.