Equine Laminitis Radiographs

Equine laminitis radiography chronic laminitic horses radiograph angles 1.

Equine laminitis radiographs.

Evaluation of horses with laminitis. Radiographic studies are an essential component in evaluation of horses with laminitis. Practical clinical considerations robert j. Radiographs will show how much rotation of the coffin bone has occurred.

Hunt dvm ms diplomate acvs author s address. X rays correctly called radiographs are essential for assessing changes in the feet following laminitis and should clearly show the relationship between the hoof capsule and the internal structures of the foot to help the hoofcare professional. The subacute phase may precede full recovery may relapse into acute laminitis or may progress to chronic laminitis in which radiographic changes are present. Chronic laminitis is primarily a radiographic diagnosis meaning that it is made based on x ray findings.

Radiographs x rays are incredibly beneficial in making a diagnosis and the findings can also help with estimating the chance for successful outcome. Signs of laminitis vary with the severity of the damage to the lamella and whether the laminitis episode is acute hours or days old or chronic lasting more than a week the most common sign that you would see is lameness ranging in severity from a minor head nod to non weight bearing and inability of the horse to stand up having the appearance of walking on eggshells or saw horse stance. Radiographs x rays will reveal the exact position of the pedal bone within the foot relative to the pastern bones and to the. Hagyard equine medical institute 4250 ironworks pike lexington ky 40511.

Your equine practitioner can provide you with information about your horse s condition based on radiographs x rays and the animal s response to treatment. To show severity of laminitis. Chronic laminitis may also be called founder. Recurrent laminitis episodes are not uncommon particularly in horses with predisposing risk factors such as equine metabolic syndrome ems.

The standard radiographs that should be obtained to aid assessment of horses with laminitis are the lateromedial horizontal dorsopalmar and dorsal 45 proximal palmarodistal oblique views.