When every stride matters - Standing CT at Virginia Equine Imaging provides faster, more precise diagnoses. The Plains, Va. - Advanced medical imaging isn't just for elite competition horses. Virginia Equine Imaging (VEI), a Northern Virginia-based equine diagnostic center, has introduced a new standing CT that is changing how veterinarians diagnose injuries and performance issues - making cutting-edge care more accessible, safer, and easier for everyday horse owners. For many riders and owners, diagnosing a lingering lameness, unexplained poor performance, or head and neck pain can be frustrating. Traditional X-rays don't always provide clear answers, and advanced imaging often requires general anesthesia, which comes with higher costs and greater risk. The state-of-the-art Asto CT Equina(R) Standing CT offers a major alternative. Unlike traditional CT scans, which require horses to be fully anesthetized and lying down, this technology allows horses to be scanned standing and lightly sedated - the same way most horses are handled for routine procedures. The scanner produces highly detailed, three-dimensional images of the lower limbs, feet, head, and neck while the horse is bearing weight naturally. Why Standing CT. Since installing the AstoCT in May 2025, Virginia Equine Imaging (VEI) has made significant strides in advancing diagnostic imaging for equine patients. Having scanned approximately 325 horses to date, the system has proven invaluable in diagnosing a wide range of conditions, including head pathology such as sinus masses, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis, and tooth abscesses; cervical conditions such as intervertebral disc disease, foraminal stenosis, vertebral fractures, and osteoarthritis; hind distal limb pathology, including hock cysts and proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) desmopathy; and front distal limb conditions such as coffin bone (P3) fractures, PSL desmopathy, carpal and coffin bone cysts, and ligament fraying and tears. VEI was the first clinic with the AstoCT to routinely capture diagnostic-quality images of the C6-C7 region, expanding the ability to evaluate complex cervical conditions. The introduction of HawkCT AI software by Hawkcell has further enhanced the diagnostic capabilities through improved image clarity and noise reduction, increasing diagnostic confidence in identifying soft tissue lesions. By incorporating CT as an integral component of the comprehensive diagnostic workup, Virginia Equine Imaging has significantly enhanced its ability to identify and characterize complex musculoskeletal and other conditions, providing clients and referring veterinarians with greater diagnostic clarity and supporting more informed treatment decisions. The benefits for your horse are significant: * Improved safety: Avoiding general anesthesia reduces risk, recovery time, and stress for the horse. * Clearer answers: Standing CT can detect small fractures, joint changes, hoof issues, as well as soft-tissue injuries and lesions that may be missed on standard radiographs. * More targeted treatment: Better imaging helps veterinarians design more precise treatment plans - often preventing unnecessary rest, injections, or guesswork. * Real-world imaging: Because the horse is standing normally, veterinarians can assess how bones and joints function under natural load. Virginia Equine Imaging has further enhanced the CT modality by using HawkCell advanced imaging software, which improves image clarity and detail - allowing veterinarians to "see" areas of concern with exceptional precision. By pairing the Asto Equina Standing CT with HawkCell, the team is elevating image quality and diagnostic capability to a whole new level - unlocking clearer insights and better outcomes for sport horses and pleasure horses alike. "Hawkcell's Hawk CT AI software has enhanced the diagnostic capabilities of its AstoCT system at Virginia Equine Imaging. Its noise-reduction technology produces clearer images, helping The Plaid Horse better visualize anatomical structures and evaluate complex conditions in its equine patients. By improving image clarity, HawkCT increases its diagnostic confidence in soft tissue injuries, including lesion identification and supports more informed clinical decision making. This advancement strengthens its ability to assess challenging cases and provide referring veterinarians and their equine patients with a higher level of diagnostic evaluation. Integrating HawkCT into its imaging workflow represents an exciting step forward in its commitment to advancing equine diagnostic imaging and delivering the highest standard of care to equine athletes." - Dr. Jack Caldwell Virginia Equine Imaging About Virginia Equine Imaging Founded in 1996 by Dr. Kent Allen, Virginia Equine Imaging has established itself as a leader in equine sports-medicine diagnostics and advanced imaging. The practice brings together a highly experienced team dedicated to the diagnosis, management, and treatment of lameness and performance-related conditions in equine athletes. Dr. Kent Allen has been at the forefront in utilizing state of the art imaging and advanced research in equine sports medicine for over 40 years. His extensive experience with elite sport horses has helped shape Virginia Equine Imaging's commitment to sophisticated, performance-focused diagnostics and treatments. His distinguished career includes serving as co-founder, President, and Executive Director of the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology, Chairman of the USEF Veterinary Committee, FEI National Head Veterinarian for the United States, and a member of the FEI List Committee. Dr. Susan Johns is a Senior Associate Veterinarian with Virginia Equine Imaging and has served as the USEF Eventing Team Head Veterinarian since 2015. She specializes in equine sports medicine, lameness, and diagnostic imaging. Dr. Johns provides care to elite competition horses across the East Coast and at major international events, including the World Championships and Olympic Games. Dr. Jack Caldwell specializes in sports-medicine diagnostics and treatments. He has become an expert in using the Asto CT and Hawkcell technology to ensure the highest quality imaging results. His expertise with this advanced imaging modality adds an important dimension to Virginia Equine Imaging's diagnostic capabilities and its commitment to utilizing innovative technology to provide veterinarians, trainers, and owners with a deeper understanding of equine musculoskeletal conditions. Together, the Virginia Equine Imaging team combines decades of experience in equine sports medicine with advanced diagnostic technology and a deep understanding of the demands placed on the modern performance horse. The practice's use of the Asto CT reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing equine imaging and providing precise, informative diagnostics to help support the health, soundness, and performance of the equine athlete. November 1, 2026. October 28, 2026. October 30, 2026. August 25, 2026. September 29, 2025.

Lyon-based HawkCell, a healthtech startup, announced that it has secured €5M in a Series A round of funding led by a German venture capital firm MIG Capital, with participation from French investment bank, Bpifrance.