Can you see an abcess on an x-ray?

[TBXCFan]

Just wondering. I would think you'd be able to see some presence of fluid in contrast to a normal hoof but am wondering if anyone has first hand experience.

[shawneeAcres]

Yes, had a hrose that was repeatedly abcessing badly, vet took xray which determined it was an abcess and that it had not infiltrated the bone

[EiRide]

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

[BaroquePony]

Yes, if it is not concealed (hidden behind) any dense bony structures (which will present as opaque white on the developed x-ray film).

You might be able to see "seepage" of fluid (in this case, pus) oozing out from behind a bone.

ETA: an abcess can definately be concealed by bone or a mixture of cartilage and bone, so you would NOT see it, and as EiRide suggested would give you a "no".

[BuddyRoo]

Sometimes you can, sometimes you can't...as others have mentioned.

It depends on which angle the rad is taken from and what structures could obstruct the view.

So...if you suspect, for example, that the abscess is on the "inside" side, a rad from that side may be more telling than one taken laterally from the "outside".

[rodawn]

Ditto to BuddyRoo.

[TBXCFan]

Thanks for your replies. Here’s the scenario. My horse is dead lame on his right foreleg. We’re not sure why and I’m starting to get concerned about the weight he’s baring on his left front. The vet is coming out tomorrow with hoof testers but since he’s messed up anyway and in the event something else is going, on I’ve asked for him to be x-rayed. Given this scenario, I’m happy to have shots taken from both the inside and outside but should I worry about front to back shots and vice versa? Would greatly appreciate any more thoughts.