In a Sunday press release, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced that Positron Emission Tomography (PET) machinery is now available at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs. This technology will be accessible during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and throughout the 2024 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course. Dr. Katherine Garrett, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at Rood & Riddle, expressed excitement about providing PET scan technology to the racehorse population in New York during the summer months. She noted that PET scans can help evaluate musculoskeletal problems and enhance racehorse safety.
PET scans, which do not require general anesthesia, assess metabolic activity in various tissues and can identify abnormal metabolic activity in bones that may indicate early signs of injury. NYRA President and CEO David O’Rourke stated NYRA’s commitment to expanding the use of advanced equine imaging to prevent serious injuries and enhance scientific research around Thoroughbreds in training. The availability of PET technology at Saratoga for the first time was attributed to Rood & Riddle.
PET has the capability to detect abnormalities at an earlier stage than other diagnostic imaging techniques like radiographs, CT scans, or MRIs. Additionally, PET offers high resolution to pinpoint specific abnormal areas in bones, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis of high-risk abnormalities. For more information about PET at Rood & Riddle, interested individuals can visit their website at https://roodandriddle.com/saratoga-springs.
