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Radiography
We offer conventional radiography with the MinXray HF100+ portable unit with 8 x 10 and 14 x 17 plates and standard processing equipment. The 8 x 10 plates enable us to evaluate cats, small dogs, distal limbs for routine survey radiographs as well as lameness evaluations in horses. The 14 x 17 plates allow us to evaluate the thorax and abdomen on small animals, camelids, small ruminants and foals, as well as perform survey radiographs of the cervical spinal cord and skull on all large animals. Although digital radiography is not offered at this time, we hope to include this service in the future.
We offer routine in-house radiography with our portable until and have automatic processing capabilities with the Ectomax™ Automatic Film Processor. This allows us to process our x-ray films in house.
Ultrasonography
Ultrasound examinations of the chest and abdomen are routinely performed to diagnose and monitor diseases, such as pleuritis, neoplasia, colic and chronic weight loss. We offer diagnostic capabilities with the SIUI CTS-485V veterinary ultrasound imaging system. Our system includes a 5-10 MHz equine transrectal probe for reproductive and tendon work and a 2.5-5 MHz convex probe for abdominal and thoracic ultrasound work. Ultrasonography allows us to assess the architecture of multiple organs as well as determine the stage of pregnancy. Liver, kidney, spleen, intestine, heart and lung are all visualized with ultrasound. In addition, ultrasonography allows us to perform biopsies of various organs, such as liver, spleen and kidney, by visualizing the location of the biopsy probe. In neonates, ultrasonography is commonly used to assess the umbilical structures and ensure there are no signs of umbilical infection (omphalophlebitis), which is a common cause of sepsis in foals and calves.
Endoscopy
Endoscopy allows imaging of the respiratory tract, stomach and urinary bladder, and enables us to perform diagnostics essential in helping us decide which treatments are optimal for that animal. Our endoscopy services include a 1 meter endoscope and a 3 meter endoscope. The 1 meter endoscope is used for evaluating the upper respiratory tract and guttural pouches for chronic respiratory diseases and infections, and cystoscopy (endoscopy of the bladder) in mares. This endoscope may be used to perform tracheal washes using a specialized tube to collect samples in a sterile manner for culture and cytology. The 3 meter endoscope is an Olympus Video Endoscope System that is portable, allowing an image capturing device on a 17” HP laptop. This technology enables us to save images of the endoscopic examination. The 3 meter endoscope is most commonly used for gastroscopy (endoscopy of the stomach) to evaluate for the presence of gastric ulcers. This is the only diagnostic tool to evaluate the presence and degree of gastric ulceration and is helpful in assessing response to treatment. It is also used to help assess the integrity of the esophagus after an episode of choke, as well as evaluate the lungs to evaluate for the presence of aspiration pneumonia. The 3 m endoscope may also be used for bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to assess the lower respiratory tract for infection, inflammation and signs of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) as well as for performing cystoscopy (endoscopy of the bladder) on stallions and geldings. Endoscopy is minimally invasive and only requires routine sedation needed for comfort during the procedure. The information that is made available to us by the use of our endoscopic equipment is invaluable in allowing us to tailor your animal’s therapy in order to treat a specific disease. Both endoscopes have biopsy forceps allowing us to obtain tissue samples in areas otherwise not accessible.
Internal Medicine
Internal medicine services include gastroenterology, neonatology, neurology, cardiology, respiratory tract diagnostics and many other services evaluating the animal’s general health and well-being. Evaluation of liver disease, kidney disease, chronic weight loss, myopathy and pediatric diseases are services that may be performed on site. Frozen hyperimmune equine plasma and llama plasma are available for plasma transfusions, most commonly due to failure to ingest an appropriate amount of high quality colostrum.
Surgery
Large animal surgical services are limited to field surgeries at this time. These include routine procedures such as castration, Caslick’s procedures, small tumor removal, as well as emergency procedures such as wound and laceration repair. Small animal routine and emergency surgical services are offered in house. Routine surgeries such as spays and neuters, as well as a variety of soft tissue surgeries are performed. Orthopedic procedures at this time are limited but include femoral head ostectomy (FHO), cruciate ligament repair, limb amputation, patella groove widening for dogs with medial patellar luxation and elbow luxation repair.
Reproduction
Reproductive services include routine pregnancy checks, artificial insemination, infertility evaluations, uterine culture and biopsy and uterine flushes. We hope to offer further reproductive services in the future.
Vet-Stem
Vet-Stem, a regenerative cell technology, is offered as part of our services. Dr. Ferguson is certified to perform Vet-Stem procedures in small animals and horses. Vet-Stem technology uses an animal’s own natural healing cells to regenerate injured tissue and is used to treat tendons, ligaments and joints. To date, small animals and 3,000 horses around the country have been treated with this technology. The process from collection to injection of injured tissue takes 48 hours and involves collecting a small sample of fat from your animal and sending the fat sample to Vet-Stem. At the laboratory, the regenerative cells are isolated and shipped back to us in order for these cells to be injected in the lesion under ultrasonographic guidance.
Miscellaneous
Ophthalmology, dermatology, parasitology, laboratory testing in house and to external laboratories and many other services can be provided by Crossroads Veterinary Services, LLC. Dr. Ferguson is certified by the State of Georgia in Johne’s Testing and is available to work with dairy and cattle producers to assess their farms for Johne’s disease. Laboratory profiles that may be performed in house include a complete blood count to evaluate the red and white blood cells, a chemistry profile to evaluate the liver and kidney analytes, an electrolyte panel and a respiratory panel. The fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) using the McMaster method is performed in order to evaluate for the presence of dewormer resistance. The in house laboratory results are usually available in less than one hour.
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