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

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

Today we are highlighting Michelle Schmierer, a technologist in the Clinical Pathology Laboratory who makes intentional efforts to share her kindness with those with whom she works.

PVM Symposium Provides Veterinary Technicians/Technologists Opportunity to Enhance Knowledge and Skills

A day set-aside for veterinary technicians and technologists to gather for learning, sharing, and growing is coming Sunday, March 8, when the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine hosts its annual Veterinary Technology Symposium at Lynn Hall. Registration is open for the program that will give veterinary technology students, veterinary assistants and veterinary technology professionals the opportunity to increase their professional knowledge and skills through both small and large animal educational sessions.

Elegant Evening in Indianapolis Spotlights ADDL’s Importance to Poultry Industry

It’s called “An Evening Under the Stars with the Indiana State Poultry Association” because the yearly event is a celebration of the poultry industry that’s held in downtown Indianapolis at the iconic Indiana Roof Ballroom. Purdue Veterinary Medicine was a Silver sponsor for this year’s January 20 event, which attracted a record turnout and provided an important opportunity for Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) representatives to showcase ADDL services and the laboratory’s important role in supporting the state’s poultry industry.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Contributes to Purdue’s Top Seven National Ranking for U.S. Patents Received

An innovation to detect heart rate, respiration and oxygen saturation. An adenoviral vector system for gene delivery. A protein-based adhesive. These are among the 172 innovations created by Purdue University researchers for which the Purdue Research Foundation (PRF) received patents in the 2025 calendar year from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, reflecting Purdue’s status as a global leader in protecting and promoting intellectual property.

New Staff Members Join Department of Comparative Pathobiology

Two administrative assistants, Heather Fell and Amanda Scheurich, recently joined the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology (CPB).

Dr. Darryl Ragland Named as Purdue Veterinary Medicine Extension Director

Purdue Professor of Food Animal Production Medicine Darryl Ragland has been selected as the director of extension for the College of Veterinary Medicine. In that role, he will oversee the activities of the college’s extension service, which shares practical applications of Purdue research with livestock producers in Indiana and around the world, and enables Hoosier farmers to raise animals using healthy and sustainable livestock production practices.

Purdue Veterinary Alumnus Jeffrey Harker Receives Indiana Pork Award for Meritorious Service

Indiana Pork recently presented awards to individuals who have dedicated time to advancing the swine industry and one of the recipients is well known to Purdue alumni for his career as a swine practitioner. Dr. Jeffrey Harker of Frankfort, Indiana, received the Indiana Pork Industry Meritorious Service Award.

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

Today we are happy to highlight Dr. Camilla Jamieson, clinical assistant professor of large animal emergency and critical care.

Strong turnout for Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Wellness Forum Demonstrates Value of Equine Health Education

The 2025 Equine Wellness Forum attracted an enthusiastic audience that included additional attendees who participated virtually. The day-long continuing education event hosted by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine on Saturday, February 8, highlighted the value of the equine health education provided by the college to equine enthusiasts.