Day: 22 October 2026

Equine and Large Animal X-Ray Systems: Buyer’s Guide

Posted on October 22, 2026 by - Uncategorized

An equine or large animal X-ray setup has four parts: a portable generator you can carry into a barn, a wireless digital radiography (DR) panel, a way to protect the panel and your team, and software that puts an image on screen quickly. This guide walks through how to evaluate each one, what makes field radiography different from clinic radiography, and what to ask before you buy.

If you’re comparing technologies in general, start with our guide to fixed, portable, and CR X-ray systems. This one is for the vet who works out of a truck.

Why field radiography is different

In a clinic, the room is built around the X-ray. In a barn, you build the X-ray around the horse.

  • Power isn’t guaranteed. A cord, an extension, and a working outlet near the patient aren’t a given.
  • Environments are rough. Dirt, moisture, cold, and the occasional dropped panel are part of the job.
  • Patients move. Every retake costs time and adds dose, and the horse isn’t getting more patient.
  • Everything has to travel. If it doesn’t fit in the truck and survive the bumps, it doesn’t work.

That’s why a field setup is judged on weight, durability, battery life, and speed to an image, not just image quality.

The generator: battery power and enough output

A portable generator for equine work should be lightweight, battery powered, and strong enough for the body part you’re imaging. Those goals pull against each other, so look at both weight and output.

  • Poskom VET-20BT. A hybrid, lithium-ion battery generator that weighs under 15 lb, with a dual laser focused at a preset 26″ source-to-image distance. It delivers variable mA and 40 to 80 kV, with a 20 mA / 90 kV maximum rating and 1,600 W maximum output, and Poskom designed it with equine veterinarians in mind. Preset techniques, a collimator lamp, and a laser pointer are selected with a remote hand switch before exposure, and an optional wireless sync module works with a DR panel.
  • Poskom PXP-40HF. A portable generator under 27 lb with enough penetration for shoulders, necks, and C-spine work, plus a built-in laser pointer and collimator for positioning.

The question to ask yourself is what you image most and how far you carry the gear. Thicker anatomy, like the upper limb, spine, or a large patient, needs more penetration than a foot does. Compare weight, battery operation, and the output range against your typical cases, and tell us about your caseload so we can match a generator to it.

The detector: wireless, rugged, and protected

A wireless DR panel is the heart of a modern field system. There’s no cassette to carry back and process, and the image appears on a laptop in seconds.

  • Wireless panels. The Uveo 3500 Mixed Animal package includes a Vieworks wireless DR panel, available in two sizes (cesium detector only), a 15″ laptop, a WiFi adaptor, a carry case, and Metron software.
  • Rugged construction. Intriquip’s Uveo 3500 page lists the panel as waterproof and shock resistant to IP67 (rated for 30 minutes of submersion at 1 m, and drop tested from 1 m). That matters when the panel spends its days on a barn floor.
  • Protection. A panel cover like Lock N Secure, plus an equine tunnel, protects the detector under the hoof. An imaging tunnel keeps the panel off the ground and out of the dirt, and hoof calibration blocks help with precise equine hoof measurements.

Ask about panel size too: a larger panel suits more anatomy, and a smaller one is easier to position at the foot.

Packages for mixed animal and equine practice

If you’d rather buy a matched system than assemble one, we offer two packages in our veterinary X-ray packages category:

You can also browse everything in our X-ray category, including the X-ray accessories that round out a field kit.

Software and workflow

The best hardware is frustrating with slow software. Ask:

  • How quickly does the image appear after exposure?
  • Can you see and annotate the image on a laptop in bright light?
  • How are images stored, exported, and shared with clients and referral clinics?
  • Does the software talk to the panel and the generator reliably?

Our digital X-ray systems guide and CR vs. DR comparison explain why most field practices choose DR, and our X-ray cost guide covers budgeting.

Radiation safety in the field

Working outside a lead-lined room puts more of the responsibility on you.

  • Hand-held X-ray equipment is not permitted in Canada. The College of Veterinarians of Ontario states that hand-held X-ray equipment does not meet the requirements of the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulation. Portable and mobile units are allowed in mobile facilities.
  • Don’t hold cassettes or panels by hand during an exposure. The CVO’s guidance for portable and mobile equipment says not to hold film cassettes by hand during an exposure. Use holders, tunnels, or stands.
  • Use distance and protection. Step back from the beam, wear lead aprons and thyroid collars, and use the remote switch your generator provides.
  • Know your province’s rules. Requirements and inspections vary by province. See the CVO’s radiation safety page and Health Canada’s Safety Code 28.

Our guides on veterinary X-ray radiation safety in Canada and hands-free X-ray technique cover the day-to-day habits.

Looking after a field system

Panels, batteries, and generators take a beating on the road. Keep spare batteries charged, protect the panel in transit, and schedule regular checks. Our repair team offers phone support and repairs, our inspection service covers preventative maintenance and X-ray compliance, and the Just Works service plan puts it on a schedule. We provide sales, service, and support across Canada.

Questions to ask before you buy

  • What does the package include: generator, panel, laptop, software, case, and protection?
  • How heavy is each piece, and will it fit your truck and your routine?
  • What’s the battery life per charge, and can you carry a spare?
  • Is the panel rated for water, dust, and drops?
  • Who services the system, and is a loaner available?
  • What training is included?

If you’re budgeting, financing is available, and certified used equipment can be an option. For a quote, request one here.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best portable X-ray machine for horses? It depends on your caseload, and we’d rather match a unit to your work than name one winner. The Poskom VET-20BT is a lightweight battery generator designed with equine veterinarians in mind, and the PXP-40HF has enough penetration for shoulders, necks, and C-spine work. Pair either with a wireless DR panel.

Is hand-held X-ray equipment legal in Canada? No. Hand-held X-ray equipment doesn’t meet the requirements of the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulation and isn’t permitted in Canada. Portable and mobile units, used with the right precautions, are allowed in mobile facilities.

Do I need a DR panel or can I use CR in the field? Most field practices choose a wireless DR panel because the image appears right away and there’s no cassette to process. See our CR vs. DR comparison for the trade-offs.

What detector size should I choose for equine work? It depends on the anatomy you image most. A larger panel covers more of the limb, and a smaller one is easier to place at the foot. Our Uveo 3500 package offers its wireless panel in two sizes.

What should I protect a DR panel with in a barn? Use a protective cover and an imaging tunnel to keep the panel off the floor and out of the dirt, and handle it carefully in transit.

How much does an equine X-ray system cost? It depends on the generator, panel, and software you choose. See our X-ray cost guide, or request a quote for a specific package.

Cattle Ultrasound Machine Buyer’s Guide for Veterinarians

Posted on October 22, 2026 by - Uncategorized

The right cattle ultrasound machine depends on three things: how early you want to call pregnancies, how many head you scan in a day, and how hard the work is on your shoulder. Early work calls for a linear probe. Extension-arm work calls for a convex probe. And every day on the chute calls for a rugged, portable unit with a screen you can read in bright sun.

This guide walks through what to look for in a cow ultrasound machine, how the probes differ, how to match a unit to beef, dairy, or mixed practice, and what to ask before you buy.

Why use ultrasound on cattle at all?

If you already scan cattle, you know the answer. If you’re deciding whether to add it, here’s the case in numbers.

  • Earlier answers. University extension sources describe skilled palpation diagnosing pregnancy from roughly 35 days after breeding, while transrectal ultrasonography can confirm it at about 26 to 30 days. The University of Wisconsin extension reports an overall accuracy of 95% for ultrasound 27 days after timed AI.
  • More information, not just a yes or no. Ultrasound lets you see fetal viability, estimate fetal age and expected calving date, and spot reproductive problems. Fetal sex can be determined reliably from about 60 days and remains practical to around 90 days, according to University of Missouri Extension.
  • A fair caveat. The University of Florida’s IFAS Extension notes that after about 45 days of pregnancy, ultrasound doesn’t improve diagnostic accuracy over rectal palpation by an experienced technician. Ultrasound’s value is earlier calls and more information, not a better answer at 90 days.
  • Plan a recheck. Early pregnancy loss is real. In dairy cattle, losses between about day 28 and day 56 have been reported at roughly 13 to 16%, which is why a second exam around day 60 is common. See this review of ultrasound in AI programs.

Match the probe to the job

The probe is the part of the machine that decides what you can see.

Linear probe (about 6.5 MHz). Higher frequency gives finer detail but less depth. ReproScan recommends a 6.5 MHz linear rectal probe for very early pregnancy exams. The ReproScan XTL has a 6.5 MHz, 60 mm linear rectal probe with a 5.0 to 9.0 MHz range and a 4 to 16 cm depth range. It’s compatible with a linear ReproArm.

Convex probe (about 4.0 MHz). Lower frequency trades some fine detail for depth and a wider field. That makes it a good partner for an extension arm. The ReproScan XTC has a 4.0 MHz, 60 mm convex rectal probe (2.0 to 5.0 MHz range) with a 6 to 22 cm depth range, and the BoviScan Curve has a 4.0 MHz, 60 mm convex probe built for rapid pregnancy diagnosis.

T-handle probes. If you also see horses, small ruminants, or companion animals, a unit with several probe options covers more of the farm. ReproScan’s Flexx offers five probes, including a 4.0 MHz convex rectal probe, a 6.5 MHz linear rectal probe, and three T-handle probes.

Extension arm or arm-in-cow?

There are two main ways to scan: arm in the cow, and with an extension arm.

ReproScan’s ReproArm is designed to reduce shoulder and arm strain, and to make pregnancy diagnosis and fetal aging safer and faster. If you’re doing high-volume work, that’s a real consideration, because shoulder and arm strain adds up over a season. ReproArms come in a regular length (32″) for most bovine work, a shorter one (23″) for heifers and short-bred cows in a hydraulic chute, and a mini arm for small ruminants and camelids.

If you plan to use the arm, choose a convex probe unit designed to pair with it, like the XTC or BoviScan Curve.

How we match units to practices

As the official Canadian dealer for Reproscan, we usually point practices like this:

  • Beef: the BoviScan Curve or the Flexx
  • Dairy: the XTL or the Apexx Linear
  • Equine or companion animals: the Flexx

Those are our usual starting points, not rules. The right unit depends on how you scan, so tell us about your practice and we’ll narrow it down. You can see the full lineup on our Reproscan page and in our veterinary ultrasounds category. If you’re unsure which suits you, our general guide to choosing a veterinary ultrasound compares them side by side.

The display matters more than people expect

Sun glare on a chute is one of the most common complaints. You have three display options with these units: a wireless monitor, goggles, or a viewing device.

The ReproScan Wireless Ultrasound Monitor 2.0 is sunlight readable with an LED backlight, has IP63 water and dust resistance, an 8-hour built-in battery, and a 2.4 GHz wireless receiver, and it comes with a sunshade case. ReproScan’s Vista goggles and the NFI 5000 viewing device are other options, and they let you keep your eyes on the cow instead of a screen.

Battery, weight, and weather

The specs that matter at the chute:

UnitProbeWeightBatteryWarranty
XTC4.0 MHz convex3.3 lb (1.5 kg)6 hours, 4 hour charge2 years
XTL6.5 MHz linear3.3 lb (1.5 kg)6 hours, 4 hour charge2 years
BoviScan Curve4.0 MHz convex4.4 lb (2 kg)8 hours, built in24 months

All three are splash proof, can be charged from 120/240 VAC or a 12 V car charger, and can be used while charging. The XTC and XTL have interchangeable batteries, so you can carry a spare. ReproScan rates the XTC for -10 to 40 °C, so plan for a cold-weather routine: keep the unit and battery warm until you need them.

Train your team

A good machine still depends on a skilled operator. We offer Reproscan bovine pregnancy ultrasound training with hands-on chute-side practice. See our training page for the current schedule.

Questions to ask before you buy

  • Is the dealer local, and who services the machine?
  • What’s the warranty, and is a loaner available if the unit needs repair?
  • What viewing device is included, and will it work in bright sun?
  • Does the probe fit how you scan, extension arm or arm in?
  • Is training available for new operators?

Looking at ultrasound for a small animal clinic as well? See our guides to the top veterinary ultrasound machines for small animal clinics and veterinary ultrasound machine cost, and our comparison of the Mindray Z60 Vet and M9Vet.

Our repair team provides phone support and repairs, and our inspection service covers preventative maintenance. If you’re budgeting, financing is available. For a quote, request one here.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best ultrasound machine for cattle pregnancy checking? It depends on how you scan. A convex probe unit like the XTC or BoviScan Curve pairs well with an extension arm for beef work, while a linear probe unit like the XTL suits very early pregnancy exams.

How early can you detect pregnancy in cattle with ultrasound? University extension sources put reliable ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis at about 26 to 30 days after breeding, with 95% accuracy reported at 27 days after timed AI. Skilled palpation typically begins at around 35 days.

Can ultrasound tell you the sex of a calf? Yes. Fetal sex can be determined reliably from about 60 days, based on the location of the genital tubercle, and it remains practical to around 90 days.

What’s the difference between a linear and a convex probe? A linear probe (about 6.5 MHz) gives finer detail at shallower depths and suits very early pregnancy exams. A convex probe (about 4.0 MHz) reaches deeper with a wider field, which makes it a good match for extension-arm scanning.

Do I need a ReproArm? It’s optional, but ReproScan designed it to reduce shoulder and arm strain and to speed up pregnancy diagnosis and fetal aging. It’s worth considering if you do a lot of cattle scanning.

Can one ultrasound handle cattle and horses? A multi-probe unit like the Flexx is built for mixed practice, with five probe options covering bovine, equine, small ruminants, and companion animals.